Boulder – Conventional wisdom says Colorado’s defense must be stout to start the season while the Buffs’ offensive counterparts work to get their legs under them.
But then, as is quickly becoming evident about this team, convention is generally tossed out the window.
Because of that, players’ and coaches’ opinions differ on whether the defense needs to hold up early while the offense develops. Everyone, however, agrees the Buffs must come out of the gate swinging.
“We definitely think we need to go out there and prove a point,” junior cornerback Terrence Wheatley said. “Especially after the way we played at the end of (last) season, we kind of want to go out there and make a statement that what you saw wasn’t us. We want to go out there and prove to people that we know we can play, and we can play against top-notch talent.”
The final three games of the 2005 season were a nightmare. The Buffs gave up 130 points, including 70 to Texas in the Big 12 championship game. CU allowed an average of 17.6 points in its first nine games.
New defensive coordinator Ron Collins loves the start but wants to improve on the finish. And he’ll get it done differently. CU’s defense will utilize more man-to-man coverage than last year’s.
“There will be more zero- man blitz,” Collins said. “Last year they were more of a zone blitz team….We’d like to get teams in second-and-long and third-and-long.”
Collins inherits enough talent to start fast. Seven returning players started last season and several others have significant experience.
“We are pretty deep in a lot of areas,” Wheatley said. “In the secondary, we have six or seven that can start right now.”
CU’s defense will get tested early, against Colorado State and powerful running back Kyle Bell on Sept. 9 at Invesco Field at Mile High, at home against Arizona State on Sept. 16 and at Georgia on Sept. 23.
Footnote
Tonight’s scrimmage will be held at Folsom Field from 6-8:45 p.m. It is expected to run about 90 plays, with special- teams work mixed in.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
