A few days ago, I questioned the future of Vanderbilt football. I'm asking the same questions for Colorado as they enter a potentially dire stretch.
Colorado was dealt a terrible hand with a mid-February coaching change. Frankly, they were screwed after giving Tucker his first head-coaching opportunity only to see him flip flop to Michigan State days before spring practice of his second season. Even if Tucker returned, the Buffaloes would've entered 2020 in a tough spot with mass departures and, as we later found out, an abbreviated offseason for first-year head coach Karl Dorrell. But at least they wouldn't have been handing the keys to the Miami Dolphins' receivers coach who's spent one of the last 12 seasons coaching college football.
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The Buffaloes rank 115th nationally in returning production, including 120th on offense with only 36 percent of their 2019 production returning in 2020. Even with two retained coaches serving as coordinators—Darrin Chiaverini on offense and Tyson Summers on defense—they're looking for a new quarterback, new offensive linemen to fill three spots (and several two-deep spots), and key pieces at linebacker and defensive back.
One piece of silver lining: Colorado, ranked 102nd in the HERO Sports Preseason College Football Rankings, should win at Colorado State in Week 1. Even when both teams suck (as they will in 2020), that's a big deal in one of the nation's most underrated rivalries. And they have a fighting chance against rebuilding Fresno State in Week 2 (although I'm predicting a loss). If they don't win either of those games…avert your eyes because there are several auto-losses and very few winnable games the rest of the way.
| Date | Opponent | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | at Colorado State | Win (1-0) |
| Sept. 12 | vs. Fresno State | Loss (1-1) |
| Sept. 19 | at Texas A&M | Loss (1-2) |
| Sept. 26 | vs. Oregon | Loss (1-3) |
| Oct. 9 | at Arizona | Loss (1-4) |
| Oct. 17 | vs. UCLA | Loss (1-5) |
| Oct. 24 | vs. Arizona State | Loss (1-6) |
| Oct. 31 | at USC | Loss (1-7) |
| Nov. 7 | vs. Washington State | Loss (1-8) |
| Nov. 14 | at Stanford | Loss (1-9) |
| Nov. 21 | at Washington | Loss (1-10) |
| Nov. 28 | vs. Utah | Loss (1-11) |
