Woelk: Buffs Exude Quiet Confidence At Pac-12 Media Day
July 25, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
LOS ANGELES — There were no stunning revelations, no secrets revealed Wednesday at the annual Pac-12 Media Day — at least not concerning the Colorado Buffaloes.
But there was a quiet confidence from CU's representatives, head coach Mike MacIntyre, senior linebacker Rick Gamboa and junior quarterback Steven Montez.
The Buffs, one year removed from a 5-7 season (2-7 Pac-12), were picked in the annual media poll to finish fifth in the six-team Pac-12 South, ahead of only Arizona State and trailing — in order — Southern California (22 first-place votes), Utah (14), Arizona (3) and UCLA (2). The only surprise in the South voting, given last year's records and each team's returning starters, is that the Buffs did receive one first-place vote.
Washington, meanwhile, was the overwhelming favorite in the North, getting 40 first-place votes, and the Huskies were also the heavy favorite to win the Pac-12 title game, with 37 media members picking UW to win.
But despite the preseason prognostications, CU's representatives exuded an air of optimism. While the Buffs will be inexperienced in a number of places, there still seems to be an undercurrent of self-assurance that if things fall together in camp, Colorado could be a surprise team this year in Pac-12 play.
"I'm excited about the 2018 team," MacIntyre said. "I'm excited about the leadership on our team, the playmakers that we have. Now those guys are in some key roles. They'll be calmer in those situations and we'll win a lot of those close games that we didn't get last year."
The Buffs will be an interesting blend this year of returning veterans and inexperienced but talented youngsters — some of whom have yet to play a college snap in a CU uniform. But MacIntyre said he likes what he's seen from a physical and mental preparation standpoint, particularly in the area of leadership from the older players.
"Our senior class is really, really close," MacIntyre said. "We elected captains and we've done a great job with that. I see a fire — it's not a hope — I see tangible evidence on a daily basis that is encouraging to me."
One thing the Buffs will make a priority in camp is the process of making key plays down the stretch, the plays that make the difference in game.
In 2017, the Buffs came up short in that area. CU lost three one-possession games in conference play, games in which a play or two made the difference between winning and losing, and ultimately, the difference between a second straight bowl appearance for Colorado and being home for the holidays.
It's no surprise that the conference media aren't counting on the Buffs to reverse that trend in any dramatic fashion. The Buffs must replace at least half their starting lineup, including three spots on the offensive line and one on the defensive line.
But when asked about his top concerns heading into camp, MacIntyre expressed plenty of optimism about his team in the trenches, places where the Buffs will be inexperienced but also talented.
It is those newcomers — who aren't on anyone's radar yet — who could help the Buffs flip the script when it comes to making game-deciding plays.
"We're excited about some of the young guys that we have on our defensive line and offensive line," MacIntyre said. "I feel like they're very athletic, so we need them to keep coming along. I feel we'll be more athletic in those two areas than we have been in the past. We'll just be a little bit younger, so making those two areas come along quick would be a good deal for us."
Offensively, MacIntyre said he likes what he's seen over the summer from redshirt freshmen Colby Pursell, William Sherman and Jacob Moretti, along with junior Brett Tonz. Add the experience of returnees Tim Lynott Jr., Aaron Haigler and Josh Kaiser, and MacIntyre believes it can be an effective group that will benefit from a competitive fall camp.
It should be the same on the defensive side up front. The Buffs have a pair of returning starters in Javier Edwards and Chris Mulumba, plus veterans Jase Franke and Lyle Tuiloma. But MacIntyre and his staff are also counting on redshirt freshman Terrance Lang to have an impact, as well as junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson, both of whom had solid spring ball sessions. Another player who could be an immediate factor is true freshman Israel Antwine, who checked in at a solid 6-foot-4, 315 pounds and has been impressive in summer strength and conditioning drills.
"We have some good young talent on our football team," MacIntyre said. "A lot of them got to play last year and we had some kids we redshirted that are really good football players that nobody even knows who their names are right now."
But it's not just the newcomers and youngsters who are giving the Buffs reason for optimism. MacIntyre also said he's expecting a big season from Montez, who returns after his first full season as a starter.
"The sky's the limit for Steven," MacIntyre said. "He has all the talent, he understands it. He had some great games as a freshman and won some big games for us. … He played well enough, definitely well enough for us to be better than 5-7, and I believe the team is catching up with him. He's got more experience and understands the grind of the season and taking the brunt of everything. I think he'll have a special year."
MacIntyre said he's seen particularly big strides from Montez in the film room this summer.
"He's gone from algebra to calculus in understanding how to prepare for a game, his film study and all the things he's doing," MacIntyre said. "He's been around the office all summer,
watching tape, working on it, studying it. And Kurt Roper, our new quarterback coach, has done a great job with him."
The Buffs will report for fall camp next Wednesday, then hit the field for their first practice the following day. They will have 25 practices to prepare for the Aug. 31 season opener against Colorado State in Denver (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
"It's always a big deal in the state of Colorado," MacIntyre said of the opener. "I think either school would like to have it on their home campus, of course, but playing the Broncos Stadium, our kids love it. … There are so many students there, it's a nice environment for a game and kids like playing in a pro stadium."
The CSU game will be played again next year in Denver, but the final game of the current series — the contract between the two schools expires after the 2020 game — will be played in Fort Collins.
Along with the CSU game, the Buffs will have the rarity of playing another longtime rival in Week 2 when they travel to Lincoln to face Nebraska.
"Adding Nebraska back on the schedule is great for Colorado and for Nebraska," MacIntyre said. "We're close there, so it's a 'driving' game. It will be exciting going to Nebraska. They're excellently coached and they have a lot of great players and a great following. I know our guys will be excited about it."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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