This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Pac-12 South laid down a strong argument to being the most competitive division in college football last year, yielding five teams with winning records.
Except one.
Now in his third year, Mike MacIntyre has to be feeling a little bit like he's rolling a stone uphill in the division that is very tough to crack. Colorado may very well be better, but so is the rest of the South. Can the Buffaloes finally make noise and maybe surprise everyone?
Strengths • There are a few places a team of ambition would like returning experience, and for the most part, Colorado has those positions sealed: a veteran quarterback (Sefo Liufau), a playmaking wideout (Nelson Spruce), a sturdy blindside tackle (Jeromy Irwin), and some hard-hitting linebackers (Addison Gillam and Kenneth Olugbode). The Buffs will also have the thrill that comes from playing in a renovated stadium with a brand new football facility. MacIntyre has a lot of returners to lean on, and the group is at least extremely motivated after winning only 10 games in four seasons in the Pac-12 and finishing last for four straight years.
Weaknesses • The legacy of defeat is hard to overcome, especially when other teams bring back a lot of experience and talent. Jim Leavitt has been tasked with turning around a dismal defense last year that struggled to stop anyone on the air or on the ground, had the No. 112-ranked turnover margin and suffered with penalty issues. Beyond the execution issues that have haunted Colorado in years past, there's also a talent gap they struggle to make up against the USCs, UCLAs and Arizona States in the division. Add that up to a 13-game schedule with no byes — it'll be awfully tricky to measure up by the end of the year.
Outlook • Said MacIntyre last month: "I expect us to win this year. I really do." They could start out well with games against Hawaii, UMass, Colorado State and Nicholls State. Then October hits, along with Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona in a row. MacIntyre said he hopes his team can improve the most in fourth quarters, and if the Buffs can steal a close game or two in Pac-12 play — they had several chances last year and came up short — it would be an achievement. But dramatic turnaround at this point in the program's development would be surprising, to say the least.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Colorado schedule
Sept 3 • at Hawaii
Sept. 12 • Massachusetts
Sept. 19 • Colorado State at Denver
Sept. 26 • Nicholls State
Oct. 3 • Oregon
Oct. 10 • at Arizona State
Oct. 17 • Arizona
Oct. 24 • at Oregon State
Oct. 31 • at UCLA
Nov. 7 • Stanford
Nov. 13 • USC
Nov. 21 • at Washington State
Nov. 28 • at Utah —
Editor's note
This is the fourth in a series previewing each Pac-12 football team. Next: Oregon.