A couple years ago back in 2016, Colorado won the PAC-12 South, made the Alamo Bowl, and finished with a 10-4 record. Now, the goal is simple: get six wins. The Buffaloes had a rough season last year, starting 5-0 but finishing with seven straight losses and ending with a 5-7 record. However, this team brings back two key offensive and defensive weapons, and hopes to once again compete for a PAC-12 South title.
Prestige Ranking (If NCAA Football 20 Existed): 3 Stars
Colorado has had many stellar teams in the past 40 years. Besides winning the 1990 National Championship, the Buffaloes won the Big Eight conference championship three years in a row from 1989-91, and won a Big 12 title in 2001. This rating would have been a 4, but their last dominant performance came from 2001-2005, when they won four Big 12 North titles, and a conference title.
2018 Record: 5-7 (2-7 PAC-12)
Colorado started off unbelievably hot, going 5-0 with wins on the road against Nebraska and at home against UCLA. But after a tough road loss to USC after being ranked #19 in the country, the season went downhill for the Buffs. They lost seven straight to end the season. You know your season is bad when you lose at home to Oregon State…
Projected Returning Starters
Offense: 5
WR Laviska Shenault Jr
WR KD Nixon
T William Sherman
C Colby Pursell
Quarterback Steven Montez is entering his senior season at Colorado, and after being the backup to Sefo Liufau in his freshman year, he has had back-to-back near 3,000 yard seasons. Although he hasn’t been the best quarterback, throwing only 19 TD’s last year along with nine INT’s, he has been the cornerstone of this Buffs offense for the past two seasons. His favorite target? Laviska Shenault Jr., who burst onto the scene last year with 1,011 receiving yards and 11 total TD’s (six receiving, five rushing). Shenault is a legit dark horse for the Heisman trophy, and Colorado is hoping to have him for two more prolific seasons at wide receiver.
Defense: 4
DE Mustafa Johnson
ILB Nate Landman
OLB Davion Taylor
CB Delrick Abrams Jr
The Buffs defense got decimated by offenses in the latter half of 2018, but fortunately return their best pass rusher in Mustafa Johnson. Johnson had a team best 7.5 sacks in 2018, and hopes to be able to continue that trend into 2019. They also return their leading tackler Nate Landman at linebacker, who also had four INT’s and two forced fumbles, with the team high 104 total tackles. Linebacker Davion Taylor and Cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr. also return, with Taylor hoping to get sacks alongside Landman, and Abrams trying to be a lock-down corner all season.
Special Teams: 2
K James Stefanou
P/K Davis Price
Both specialists return for another year, with punter Davis Price playing his senior season and kicker James Stefanou playing his junior season. Price was put into action last season early after an injury to the starter and immediately took over well. He will for sure be taking all kickoffs this season. Stefanou was on the Lou Groza watch list last season and will surely be the starting kicker. The Australian was a first team all-American his freshman year and will surely be a finalist for the Groza Award and all-American team come December.
Key Losses
HB Travon McMillian; undrafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Losing a 1,009 yard rusher hurts, but McMillian was as explosive as it gets. With seven rushing TD’s and one receiving, he was almost unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball for the Buffs. McMillian accounted for nearly half of the total offense, and filling that spot will be a tough task for sophomore Alex Fontenot.
Key Newcomer on Offense
TE Jalen Harris; Grad Transfer from Auburn
Jalen Harris never had a large impact at Auburn, totaling four receptions, for 33 yards and two touchdowns in 42 games. His main strength was being a blocking tight end for one of the best rushing offenses in the SEC, and he hopes to be able to use that at Colorado. The Buffaloes’ fanbase can’t wait for him to debut against Colorado State in Denver.
Key Newcomer on Defense
Jeremiah Doss; JuCo transfer
Doss played at Hinds Community College for two years, and could possibly be a hidden gem on the defensive line for the Buffs. He earned MACJC All-State Honorable Mention with 53 tackles, six sacks, and 13 tackles for loss. The Buffaloes are planning on having him play on the defensive line for mostly early down situations, but many around the program believe that he could become a regular starter by seasons end.
Wins the Conference If
They can finish what they started in 2018. If the Buffs can start hot again and then stay hot, they can easily win the South. They unfortunately get #13 Oregon and #21 Washington State on the road back-to-back weeks, and end the season at #15 Utah. However, they get USC and #12 Washington at home, plus Nebraska in the non conference schedule. One loss won’t end their season. If they can go at least 4-2 through those six games, they will be in contention for the PAC-12 title.
Circle This Game: Washington State
The Buffs have most of their tough games at Folsom Field, but this game away from Boulder is probably their biggest. Before this game they have Oregon in Autzen Stadium, so it’s imperative that they have a major response the next week in Pullman. After all, this is the Cougars homecoming, and a road win here would be big for morale through the rest of the season.
2019 Outlook: 7-5
It’s hard to imagine Colorado actually going 11-1 or 10-2, but winning seven to nine games is more plausible. If they can beat Nebraska in week two, then all bets are off the table, because they can start 5-0 again and have a fantastic season, or go 5-7 again and miss a bowl for the third straight season. They will more than likely win against either USC or Washington at home, but their road games are much bigger question marks heading into the 2019 season.