The defense was vastly improved last year even though defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt and Joe Tumpkin did not join the Buffs until right before spring training. With a full year to evaluate talent and gear their defense to take best advantage of the Buffs' skill-set, L+T have put together the Buffs best defensive unit in a decade.
Making the job easier for the defensive gurus is the return of three key components. Man-mountain nose tackle Josh Tupou (6-3, 32 lbs) returns from suspension and will be a force to be reckoned with anchoring the defensive front. At linebacker, the return of Addison Gillam should be a huge factor. Coaches and fans are hoping that Gillam has recovered enough to return to his Freshman All-American form. And in the defensive backfield, tackling machine Ryan Moeller is starting at free safety after missing most of last season due to injuries received in a scary moped accident. Their collective impacts should be immense.
Returning offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren has rightfully taken a lot of heat over the last three years for the Buffs' inability to find an offensive identity other than being wholly predictable in their play calling. But head coach Mike MacIntyre came to the rescue and hired fireball Darrin Chiaverini as co-offensive coordinator. Lindgren's quiet and cerebral yin and Chiaverini's innovative and emotionally fire-charged yang have come together to give the Buffs something that has been missing for many years.
On the strength and conditioning front, Mac made a home-run hire in Drew Wilson following last season. Wilson combines the intellectual knowledge of the old S&C coach, with leadership and motivation that had long been missing from the program. The players rave about Lewis and what he has brought to the Buffs.
And, finally, after months and months of rehab following his devastating Lisfranc foot fracture, QB Sefo Liufau is back in the saddle and ready to go for the season. One of the good things to come out of the rehab was that Liufau's ongoing shoulder injury that had hampered him for more than a year is now also completely healed. He's also lost weight while gaining strength and coaches and players alike rave about how much more zip the QB seems to have on the ball. Playing without pain for the first time in several years, Liufau is looking to lead the Buffs to their first bowl game since 2007.
Yes, there are reasons to be very optimistic about the University of Colorado football team this year. If all goes accordingly, the Buffs should put a beating on Colorado State to open the season in a manner that hasn't been seen since 2001, when the Buffs handed the Rams a 41-14 loss.
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