"The Darkest Horse" Big 12 Edition: Colorado

With teams like Oklahoma, Texas and Okie State all competing for the Big 12 south is sure to be a battlefield. You can expect a lot of upsets and heart breaks on the way to the Conference championship. Many individuals are picking the winner of the Big 12 south to be the team to compete against the SEC champs for the national title. And all that Big 12 south champ has to do is get past Kansas in the Big 12 Championship and the road top the national title is set.

I give a huge HELL NO to that notion. Not only do I doubt a Big 12 team will make the national championship. But why is Kansas predicted the lone-wolf -winner of the North Division? What the hell happened to CU? Are they predicted to just roll over and die?

Well they did last year, going 2-6 in conference play and finishing with a awful 5-7 record. We all know that they ( Verb) the whole season. You can insert any word you wish, as long as it can’t be said in church. Then that’s exactly what happened. Cody Hawkins play at QB was much like a Nickelback song, disappointing and making you wish you could get back the time that was wasted anticipating something great. After his freshman year Most CU fans were waiting for a breakout season that would propel him to an household name. Well that didn’t happen.

Tyler Hansen didn’t play any better, except for his ability to run and sometimes make a great play. Sometimes, consistency wasn’t Tyler Hansen’s middle name, it was more like Probability. He probably would run and he probably would make a nice throw but CU would still probably lose. But hey the O-line was beat up for most of the season. And the O-line is still young for the most part. Still not an excuse in my opinion for some of the god awful decisions.

The defense wasn’t up to par either, but it still showed signs of decency last year. And despite the graduation of the top D-linemen George Hypolite and a few other including Line backer Brad Jones . The Defense may still become decent. The Defense will be a little young but still with veterans at Corner back Jimmy Smith and Benjamin Burney. And line backer Jeff Smart brings experience along with D-linemen Taj Kaynor, Now most of you are thinking “Okay Mr. Wrath! What do you expect CU to do this year? Maybe have a wining season?”

 Yes I fully expect that from CU, the first 3 games are walk over’s except for CSU, and I expect them to beat CSU anyway. They have a shot against most of the teams they face from there on out. And a team with this much experience and talent, Is sure to at least get bowl eligible. “Okay Mr. Wrath? But what is this junk you’re talking about Kansas?” Easy, I call an upset CU takes down Kansas. “So what are you saying Mr. Wrath?” There is no love for Colorado and me being from Colorado I take offense to that, not only am I bold enough to say they will have a good season, I call them champs of the North.

  This man Could lead the O-line,Enter Ryan Miller

They return the talent on offense, they will have a running game with Demetrius Sumler , Darrell Scott along with Brian Lockridge and the QB Tyler Hansen. CU will put up some serious rushing yardage. The O-line if healthy will be a force to reckon with. Tackle Nate Solder who is a top ten workout warrior and a absolute beast, Guard Ryan Miller who has All American potential, if a good replacement is found for Daniel Sanders this core along with the other young talent could be a good one. A core that could lead this team to many victorys. There’s one for sure Achilles heel with the O-line, its starting a Red shirt freshman at Tackle with Bryce Given. The Wide Receiving will be good even with the departure of Josh smith. With Dan Hawkins and Ashlee Ambrose concentrating on wide receivers this core will evolve into a reliable bunch.( As a side note I was coached by Ashlee when I went to the camp ,great person Kudos to him)

Now if an argument was to made “What about the Defense” the defense is The biggest issue, its very well coached but having young players at key spots might be a problem. But the Defense is one that has experience despite its youth, and the first 3 games would be a good smack in the mouth for those who need it. Once the meat of the schedule kicks in (if the team is healthy) you will have a team to reckon with and a team that may be ready to take a shot at the North title. And if they believe enough they may have a shot at the Big 12 trophy. “But that’s pushing it don’t ya think?” Who knows? But come fall I will be watching and I hope you will be too.

- DantesWrath