Colorado Buffaloes Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Colorado Buffaloes Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 5-7 Big 12 Record: 2-6 (5th, North) 2011 Returning Starters: 14; 8 offense, 5 defense, punter

Coach: Jon Embree, First Season

Offensive Coordinators: Eric Bienemy Defensive Coordinators: Greg Brown

2011 Colorado Players to Watch: QB Tyler Hansen, RB Rodney Stewart, WR Paul Richardson, WR Toney Clemons, TE Ryan Deehan, DE Chldera Ulo-Diribe, LB Jon Major, S Anthony Perkins

2011 Colorado Strengths:
There is alot of experience retuming among the starters and a few key backups. Hansen is a playmaker under center and he is surrounded by plenty of capable teammates including Stewart, who has a chance to become the program’s all-time leading rusher.

2011 Colorado Weaknesses:
A roster primarily built to play one style of football will be tasked with playing a more physical style with an emphasis on a strong running game and stopping the run. Coaches have suggested plenty of opportunity exists for true freshmen to play; a rash of injuries could make this team young in ahurry.

2011 Colorado Offense:

No one is going to confuse the Buffs with some of the more explosive offenses in the Pac-12, but this team has enough talent to surprise those who underestimate it. The offense is loaded with experience and likely will start a number of seniors, including quarterback Tyler Hansen, running back Rodney Stewart, tight end Ryan Deehan, receiver Toney Clemons and three offensive linemen. But there isn’t a lot of depth, and injuries at any of those positions could be trouble. Hansen earned the starting job early at the end of spring practice. Coaches really had no choice, with Hansen demonstrating he was the man for the job by absorbing the new offense quickly and directing it with the type of efficiency and consistency redshirt freshman Nick Hirschman and junior transfer Brent Burnette couldn’t match. Hansen was the starter through the first seven games last fall before he suffered a ruptured spleen that ended his season. He set a school record by completing 68.3 percent of his passes, but he threw only six touchdown passes and had six interceptions. Those numbers will have to improve drastically for him to be successful. Stewart ran for 1,318 yards as a junior and racked up more than 1,600 yards of total offense. The new West Coast system figures to suit his talents well. Sophomore wide receiver Paul Richardson is the big-play threat. He made four plays covering 50 yards or more as a true freshmen in 2010. The offensive line should be solid despite the loss of All-America left tackle Nate Solder, but was dealt a blow in early summer with the departure of center Mike Iltis.

2011 Colorado Defense:

The big question mark defensively is on the perimeter, where departed senior cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown must be replaced. Defensive coordinator Greg Brown likes to be aggressive, and he depends on his cornerbacks’ ability to cover one-on-one to free up teammates. No one emerged to claim either job in spring. The strengths of the unit are two experienced safeties, Anthony Perkins and Ray Polk, and the linebacking corps led by juniors Jon Major and Doug Rippy. The defensive line also features a strong cast of veterans, led by Will Pericak, Conrad Obi and Chidera Uzo-Diribe. True freshmen Juda Parker and Stephan Nembot could get some opportunities for early playing time as well. If the Buffs can get competent play at cornerback, they could be competitive against the explosive offenses around the Pac-12. If not, coaches will have to get creative.

2011 Colorado Special Teams:

With the exception of the kickoff return team, all aspects of the kicking game have been a sore spot in recent years. Embree’s plan for a quick turnaround is to use more starters on special teams while hoping it doesn’t lead to injuries. Sophomore placekicker Justin Castor will compete with true freshman Will Oliver in fail camp. The Buffs desperately need more consistency, having made only 59 percent of their field goal attempts in the past two seasons. Colorado was 88th in the nation in net punting and 69th in punt returns in 2010. Sophomore punter Zach Grossnickle didn’t have any challengers in the spring.

2011 Colorado Football Schedule | Colorado Football Sportsbooks

2011 Colorado Predictions:

There’s excitement around the program with the arrival of a new coach, CU alum Jon Embree. But this is largely the same team that went 5–7 last year. Colorado faces one of the most challenging schedules in the nation. The Buffs play 11 teams from BCS Conferences, and their 13-week schedule lacks a bye. Anything but a last-place finish in the Pac-12 South would be a surprise.

2011 Colorado Betting Odds:

Colorado Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

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