Boulder – Although most media members are anointing Colorado the Big 12 North favorite, the team looks unproven to coach Gary Barnett, who wants a multitude of questions answered in preseason workouts, which begin today.
“I want to see our pass defense continue to improve like it did in the spring,” Barnett said. “I want to see better timing in our offense, especially our receivers and quarterbacks. I want to see us become a physical team able to run the football.
“And I want to take advantage of our two specialists that we have, maximize the yardage that we get and the points that we get out of those two guys.”
For a team with 18 starters returning, those are a lot of questions to answer before the season opener against Colorado State on Sept. 3.
And that’s not all.
Depth is a concern, particularly on the offensive line. Barnett estimates CU will start camp with 13 offensive linemen, a number he says is “about what we had last year, but that always scares you.”
Colorado also enters camp with only four true tailbacks, one of whom is a former walk-on, though fullback Lawrence Vickers can swing to tailback if necessary.
“That scares you, too,” Barnett said of the lack of depth. “We don’t have a lot there.”
CU, which tied for the Big 12 North title a year ago and was routed in the conference championship game by Oklahoma, has more questions than most title contenders. Coaches are certain they have the talent to win, but many of those players haven’t proved they can deliver when it counts.
“That’s why camp is critical,” Barnett said. “You can’t answer the question of how good they’ll be probably until the first game.”
Defensively, Barnett’s spirits should be buoyed by the expected return of safety J.J. Billingsley, who finishes summer courses this week. Officially, grades won’t be posted until Wednesday, but Barnett expects Billingsley back.
“Getting J.J. back into the mix and seeing where he’s going to fit, that’s a big thing,” Barnett said.
Barnett and the Buffs will have time to work it all out during a month of preseason practices.
“Even though there are 4 1/2 weeks, I guarantee you, the night before the CSU game I’m going to wish I had about four more days,” Barnett said.
Footnotes
Tight end Tyson DeVree (shoulder) and offensive lineman Edwin Harrison (shoulder) will start camp slowly, Barnett said. … Linebacker Jason Ackermann (knee ligament tears) is not expected to participate in preseason drills. “It’ll probably be a year to the date that he got hurt before he’s able to play again,” Barnett said. “So it’s probably going to be October before he gets back into the mix.” … CU has sold more than 10,000 tickets since single-game tickets went on sale Monday. … Colorado has received verbal commitments from Douglas County High School teammates, tight end Steve Fendry and defensive tackle Eric Lawson. The two bring CU’s commitment total to five. … CB Vance Washington, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in July, will not report until the first day of school as he continues his rehabilitation.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
