First Look: Colorado State vs Colorado
Last Rocky Mountain Showdown in Denver
[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]
Contact/Follow @BradHubbard & @MWCwire
How Good Are The Buffaloes This Year?
Colorado State’s first game of the year will be their last against their in-state rival Colorado will be the last Rocky Mountain Showdown at Mile High Stadium, at least for a while. The game kicks on Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Coach: Mel Tucker, First Year
2018 Record: 5-7, 2-7 Conference
2018 Season In Review
2018 was a season to forget for the Colorado Buffaloes. What started off as another possible Pac-12 South title season turned into a coach being fired and no bowl game. The Buffs started off 5-0 and then proceeded to lose the next 7. When things like that happen, a new regime is usually right around the corner.
Key Players Returning
QB Steven Montez, WR Laviska Shenault JR, LB Nate Landman, WR K.D. Dixon
2018 Strengths
Despite a new head coach and new coordinators, you should hear a lot of ‘Montez to Shenault…’ More specifically that would be quarterback Steven Montez to wide receiver Laviska Shenault JR. When healthy, they can be a dangerous combination but staying healthy has been a challenge for Colorado in the past.
Defensively you can’t help but notice linebacker Nate Landman. In fact it’s hard to miss him because he is on just about every tackle. The junior led the team in tackles and will anchor the linebacking core and the defense.
2018 Weakness
New coach with a new philosophy, coordinators, etc. And starting on a neutral field. Even if everything goes to plan you will see mistakes by the Buffs. TImeouts used early, players lined up in the wrong place, incorrect routes, missed blocks, etc.
The team has to also shake the injury bug that plagued them over the last few years. Montez, Shenault and especially Landman have to stay healthy if the Buffaloes are to make a bowl game this year.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]