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Preseason Magazines
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April 13th
CBS Sports: Is CU’s lineup undersized? Perhaps not, but CU still faces an uphill climb to a bowl game
From CBS Sports … Over the weekend, videos of Colorado’s roster running out of the tunnel went viral. Many pointed to the size of the Buffs’ roster as a concern, saying that they looked undersized for a major conference team.
Quickly, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion took to social media to defend the group.
“We will be just fine…” Marion posted on X. “Just click bait anything to attack Prime. I’m here we good!”
An analysis of the roster shows that size doesn’t appear to be a major issue for the Buffaloes. Colorado’s projected offensive line sits at an average of 6-foot-4.6 inches tall and 321 pounds. Only one of their starters sits below 310 pounds, and it’s Georgia transfer Bo Hughley, who started two games for the Bulldogs.
The defensive line tells a slightly more complicated story. The group sits at an average of 263.8 pounds, which is a little light. Projected starter Santana Hopper is only 265 pounds. However, he arrives at Colorado after ranking among the best interior defensive linemen in the American while with Tulane, and is known for his activity and functional strength inside.
Additionally, Colorado has bigger players on the roster. Hulking Baylor transfer Samu Taumanupepe sits at a cool 375 pounds. Maryland transfer Sedrick Smith is 320. If the Buffaloes want to get more size on the field, they have the opportunity.
Size shouldn’t be the main concern for the offensive line. It’s chemistry.
Colorado has flipped out offensive lines nearly every year, something only exacerbated two years ago when Sanders threw his existing players under the bus and said he had to get new linemen. However, instability along the offensive line is a major issue for building consistent units.
Colorado has tried the portal-shuffling method plenty of times with poor results. Before left tackle Jordan Seaton transferred, the Buffaloes were set to return three starters. Even so, left guard Yahya Attia and right tackle Larry Johnson III give the unit building blocks. Offensive line coach Gunner White is also the first returner at the position under Coach Prime. If he can get the unit to average, it opens up the offense dramatically.
Little margin for error
The day Sanders walked into the Colorado football facility, he told the existing roster that he was bringing his own Louis Vuitton baggage. Outside of college superstars Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and Jordan Seaton (since transferred to LSU), most of it has proven defective.
Thirty-six players transferred out of the program, with 20 landing at Power Four schools. More than 60 newcomers are expected to enter the program.
The level of talent coming is high as the Buffaloes have a top-25 transfer class, fourth-best in the Big 12. Linebacker Liona Lefau (Texas), defensive back Boo Carter (Tennessee) and Moore (Texas) are all potential all-conference selections. Perhaps a returning offensive line coach can bring some much-needed consistency to the Buffaloes’ most troubled unit.
But heading into Year 4, Colorado still faces many of the same issues. The lack of high school recruiting means that only two projected starters were recruited by the staff out of high school: Lewis and Attia. Typically, Years 3 and 4 would be the moments when the staff’s identification and development start paying off.
The schedule also provides few moments of respite. Colorado plays road games against Georgia Tech and Northwestern in non-conference play. Home games against Texas Tech and Utah bode poorly. Depending on Kansas State’s success under first-year coach Collin Klein, the Buffaloes could be underdogs in every FBS game until the season finale against UCF.
Coach Prime helped the Buffaloes overcome daunting odds to reach a nine-win season in 2024. But unless he has another rabbit to pull out of his hat, Colorado has a difficult path back to bowl eligibility.
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One Reply to “Preseason Magazines”
Fuck em up. Fuck em up. Go CU!
Go Buffs