Woelk: As Tucker's Buffs Prepare For Fall Camp, Storylines Abound

BOULDER — With the opening of fall camp now inside a week away, it's safe to say the list of things head coach Mel Tucker wants/needs to accomplish in his first training camp in Boulder is a long one.

Give Tucker his druthers, and he would no doubt like to have more than the 25 allotted practices before the Buffaloes open their season Aug. 30 against Colorado State in Denver (8 p.m., ESPN).

But nobody is changing the calendar. The Buffs are scheduled to report on Wednesday, hit the field Thursday for their first fall practice of the Tucker Era — and ready or not, the Rams will be waiting when the Friday night lights go on Aug. 30.

Here are just a few storylines that will unfold as camp progresses:

1. Continuing to establish the program's new culture. This is not something that is quantifiable. You can't measure how quickly a team adapts to a new structure.

But it might be the most important overall continuous development for Tucker.

Since the day he arrived, Tucker has stressed that he wants a physical, tough team. He made the strength and conditioning sessions more intense, he significantly ramped up the pace of spring ball, then followed it up with what every player agrees is the most strenuous summer conditioning session they have endured in Boulder.

Tucker's style is clearly no-nonsense. Call it throwback, vintage, old school — whatever you'd like — but the bottom line is he is clearly all business. He made that evident when he eliminated music in practice in spring ball, and continued to emphasize that attitude with a never-stop, always-on-the-move atmosphere in every practice.

The guess here? Fall camp will take that intensity level up another notch. Tucker may have set the tone in spring ball, but you can bet he and his staff will have an increased sense of urgency when they hit the field next week. The foundational principles that were introduced in the spring — physical football, discipline, consistency, fundamentals — won't change.

They will simply increase in importance.

2. Fourth-quarter focus. Another steady theme from Tucker has been having a team that can make plays that make the difference late in a game.

That should be good news for Colorado fans, who watched the Buffs give up too many leads too many times over the last few years. Cold fact: In Colorado's seven-game losing streak last season, the Buffs had the lead at one point in six of those games, including a third-quarter lead twice.

It's one reason Tucker amped up the conditioning program. He wants a team that can exert its will in the fourth quarter. He wants a team that can wear down an opponent, then take advantage. It is as much a mental process as it is physical, and Tucker will do his best to make sure the Buffs understand and embrace that part of their preparation.

3. Depth, depth, depth. When Tucker took the job, he made it clear that he didn't believe the cupboard was bare. The Buffs have talent in a number of places (witness the number of players on preseason awards watch lists).

But what Tucker and his staff also learned quickly is that the Buffs are not blessed with an abundance of depth.

Thus, fall camp will be a time not only to identify and cultivate a starting lineup, but also to find players who can step in and contribute behind the starters. If the Buffs are truly going to be a fourth-quarter team, they will need the ability to rotate fresh legs into the lineup on a steady basis, particularly up front.

One factor that might help here? The new redshirt rule (instituted last year) that allows a player to appear in four games and still maintain a redshirt season. It means Tucker and his staff might be able to work in some of the newcomers, see what they can offer in a game — and still have them around for four more years if the coaches decide they need more development.

4. Position battles. Did we mention fresh legs? There will be a number of positions where the battles won't just be for a starting spot. CU's staff had made it clear they will rotate players on a steady basis, meaning playing time won't be limited to a few.

Tops on the list might be running back, where the Buffs have almost no experience but plenty of young talent and potential. Tucker reiterated earlier this week at Pac-12 Media Day that he will likely go with a "stable" of backs, meaning at least two or three of the five who saw regular action in the spring will likely get the opportunity to see the field in the fall.

Other spots where a rotation of fresh legs will be a key are the defensive line, wide receiver (maybe the deepest and most-talented position group on the team), linebacker and the secondary. These are spots where a starter or two might be evident, but the rest of the spots will be up for grabs.

One thing you can bet on is that Tucker's "rep chart" will see plenty of movement before August comes to a close.

5. Establish a consistent run game. This has been another Tucker emphasis since he arrived. In his words, "We want to be able to run the ball on our terms."

That was a problem last year for the Buffs. While CU did have a 1,000-yard rusher in Travon McMillian, those yards were misleading to a large degree. Fully 35 percent of McMillian's rushing total (350 yards) came on just eight carries. Otherwise, he had just 659 yards on 193 carries — a paltry 3.4-yard average. That led to far too many second- and third-and-long situations, which then allowed opposing defenses to tee off on quarterback Steven Montez, a story that seldom had a happy ending.

How to fix the problem? Running backs are no doubt part of the equation, but the first step is …

6. Establish an O-line anchor. This will be an especially interesting position group to watch develop as Colorado continues to try to improve its rush game consistency.

The Buffs have some experience here — Tim Lynott, Colby Pursell and William Sherman all had at least nine starts last season — but it is still a group in flux. Putting together a group that can play together will be one of the most important priorities of camp.

Sherman, a talented sophomore with a big upside, could become that anchor. Or, it might be Lynott (a three-year starter), or even graduate transfer Arlington Hambright, also a tackle. But the bottom line is the Buffs have to have a group that is consistent and effective — and it begins with someone who will establish themselves as the leader of the pack.

7. Establish leadership. Much like culture, this is another commodity that is difficult to quantify — but if it is not present, its absence is glaring.

On the offensive side, it is time for senior quarterback Steven Montez to fully step into the role. Montez has the respect of his teammates, but he now has to take the reins and show the ability to guide the team through difficult times. On defense, linebacker Nate Landman and defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson will be key players in that regard, as will senior cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr.

Leadership is easy when a team is winning. But it is vital in times of adversity. There's no doubt this team will see its share of tough times. Who steps up and prevents those moments from snowballing will be a key — and the process will be crucial in fall camp.

8. Prepare to get out of the gate fast. CU's non-conference schedule is a doozy — three games against "traditional" rivals, starting with CSU and followed by Nebraska and Air Force.

What does that mean? Each of CU's three non-conference games is the most important non-conference game on the schedule for their opponents. There will be no easing into the season, no "breaks" before the conference schedule begins.

It's certainly not the recipe most first-year coaches would draw up for themselves. But it is the hand Tucker has been dealt, and you can bet he won't waste a second of preparation time.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu