Woelk: What We Learned In Buffs' Fall Camp

BOULDER — It's Game Week. Fall camp is finished, classes have started on the Colorado campus and visions of kickoff are dancing in the Buffaloes' heads.

One week from today (Sept. 3), the Buffs kick off their season with a night game — a very late-night game — at Hawai'i. While it will be just 7 p.m. in Honolulu at kickoff, it will be 11 p.m. for fans at home in the Mountain time zone.

But the Buffs aren't worried about kickoff times. They're more focused on putting last year's 2-10 season firmly to bed — for good — and what better way to do it than a game that will be viewed by fans in their pajamas?

By all accounts, this year's camp was the best yet in the Mike MacIntyre era. The Buffs emerged with no serious injuries, maintained what MacIntyre called a “strong focus” on the task at hand throughout camp, and achieved one of their primary goals:

They improved, from top to bottom, at almost every position.

But, with the season opener still a week away, it gives us time to take a look back at some trends, themes and random observations from the last three weeks:

Bigger, stronger, faster. Yes, it's a cliche that's being repeated in just about every college camp across the nation, but it's a simple fact with the Buffs. Those freshmen and sophomores who were baptized by fire a year ago have been hardened by that fire. They've grown.

This year's team has more legitimate Pac-12 players in more places — and more depth — than any Buff squad in the last five years. Neither are there any positions where CU's coaching staff will be throwing youngsters to the wolves (or Ducks or Trojans or Wildcats) and crossing their fingers. Instead, they should be competitive at every spot on the field.

Defense, defense, defense. Call it whatever you'd like — 4-3, 3-4 or 4-2 — but the bottom line is new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt's new defense will be a major factor in whether the Buffs can make a substantial jump in the win-loss column.

The biggest difference is up front. Instead of four down linemen, he'll utilize outside one or two outside linebackers/defensive ends who will either rush the passer, play the run or drop into pass coverage. It's a defense geared for the for the up-tempo, pass-happy Pac-12, and one that emphasizes the  use of linebackers — Leavitt's specialty.

A strength will be the secondary. The Buffs are deep, experienced and have quality players from safety to cornerback. The coaching staff believed the secondary to be a strength when camp started; nothing has changed since.

If there's a question here, it's on the interior, where the Buffs have depth, but not a lot of experience. The Buffs had the worst rush defense in the conference a year ago, and it's been a point of emphasis throughout camp. D-line coach Jim Jeffcoat is cautiously optimistic about the improvement here, but we'll know a lot more after the first game.

Finishing the fourth. We all know the statistics by now. The Buffs lost four Pac-12 games by a combined 15 points, including a pair of double-overtime losses. Meanwhile, CU held a fourth-quarter lead five times, was tied in the fourth in another and in two more, the Buffs were within a single score of taking the lead — and of those eight, they won just two.

It's why the overriding theme of camp has been to win the fourth quarter. They spent a portion of nearly every practice working on end-of-game situations, they ran overtime drills on a regular basis and they heard time and again how one play — just one play — would have made the difference in as many as four or five more victories.

Will it sink in? We'll see, but one thing is certain: whatever happens won't be because of a lack of preparation.

Pressure on the elders. While the Buffs have 14 returning starters, there are a handful who will be carrying the burden of high expectations.

Start the list with quarterback Sefo Liufau and wide receiver Nelson Spruce, a pair of record setters who will be the focus of every defense they see. Continue with right tackle Stephane Nembot — a literal mountain of potential — and move on to center Alex Kelley, the anchor of the offensive line.

Defensively, the spotlight will be on inside linebackers Addison Gillam and Kenneth Olugbode. They're the heart of a Buff defense that simply has to improve. Then throw cornerbacks Ken Crawley and Chidobe Awuzie into the mix, along with safety Tedric Thompson.

These are Buffs who have lived through the tough times and played well, and will now be expected to be the leaders as the program moves forward. Given that the Buffs play in arguably the toughest division in college football, it will be up to the elder statesmen to keep the locker room stable and positive in difficult times.

Emerging youngsters. It's never a good sign if too many freshmen are significant contributors, but a few here and there are an indication that recruiting is improving.

True freshmen who turned heads in camp and could see some playing time this year? In no particular order, the list includes defensive back Isaiah Oliver, running back Patrick Carr, linebacker N.J. Falo, defensive back Nick Fisher and kicker/punter Alex Kinney. If they play, it won't be because the Buffs have no other choice, as has been the case in past years. Instead, they will play because they earned time — a bright sign for the future.

There are also a handful of redshirt freshmen — players often forgotten because  they sat out a year — who have made an impression and could have impact roles. That list includes tight end Dylan Keeney, linebacker Rick Gamboa, receivers Lee Walker and Jay MacIntyre, defensive end Terran Hasselbach and defensive tackle Jase Franke. Not to say they'll all get substantial playing time — but they did do enough in camp to put their names in the mix. Again, another bright sign for the future.

Turnovers and takeaways. The Buffs had one of the worst turnover-takeaway margins in the nation last year, turning the ball over 21 times and taking it away just 11. It's been a huge point of emphasis throughout camp. With Hawaii expected to come out throwing the ball in a big way, it shouldn't be long before we see if the Buffs have made some strides in this era.

Special teams. Gone are two four-year starters, punter Darragh O'Neill and kicker Will Oliver. That means inexperienced players in pressure-packed positions. MacIntyre has consistently expressed faith in the new names, and Diego Gonzalez, Chris Graham and Alex Kinney have proven they have the legs for the job. But as for the pressure? Again, we'll know a lot more by Sept. 4.

Running game. Last year, the Buffs leaned on three very different running backs. It will be interesting to see this year if Christian Powell, Phillip Lindsay or Michael Adkins II separates from the pack — or if one of the youngsters on the team somehow manages to break into the rotation. The guess here is that the rotation continues early, but one or two will emerge as the year progresses.

Strongest positions. Give the nod here to the secondary and wide receivers — and it's no coincidence they practiced against each other regularly. The secondary is full of veteran players who can play in the Pac-12; the receiving corps is a bit younger but equally talented.

Most improved: There are several candidates here, but we'll take the offensive line. Returning starters Nembot, Kelley and Jeromy Irwin provide great bookend tackles and an anchor at center. Meanwhile, Gerrad Kough and the combination of Shane Callahan/Jonathan Huckins are strong at guard. It will mean better protection for Liufau and a stronger running game.

Bowl talk. The Buffs talked a great deal early in camp about getting to a bowl game this year, which will be no easy feat — they have to win seven games to become bowl eligible. Lately, though, the chatter about a bowl has been replaced by a focus on Hawai'i, and for good reason. A fast start will be an integral part of this team's success this year — and a fast start begins with a strong showing in the Hawai'i opener.

Overall. The general consensus around the nation has been that the Buffs will be improved this year, but it may not significantly show in their record because they play in the Pac-12 South.

It's good to see the Buffs aren't buying that analysis. It's been MacIntyre's best camp with his best group of players yet, and they honestly believe they can reverse a number of those close-but-no-cigar finishes from a year ago.

The payoff may indeed be more than the experts are predicting.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu