HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The University of Colorado arrives at Pac-12 media days this week as defending south division champions, but the resurgent Buffaloes have plenty of questions to address in their search for a repeat title.
Here are five storylines to follow when CU takes the main stage inside the Hollywood and Highland Center.
1. Rebuild or reload: After a decade of consecutive losing seasons, the Buffaloes won 10 games in 2016 for the first time since 2001. However, they return this fall without four-year starting quarterback Sefo Liufau and eight defensive starters from a year ago. Mike MacIntyre enters his fifth season as head coach. Has he stockpiled enough talent through recruiting to keep CU relevant in 2017?
2. Montez’s moment: Quarterback Steven Montez thrived as a true freshman in his first start last fall, defeating Oregon, 41-38, and becoming the first Buffalo in program history to throw for 300 yards and rush for 100 in the same game. Montez has all the tools to thrive in CU’s spread offense, but how will he handle the spotlight in 2017?
3. Eliotap impact: Former CU defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt became the Pac-12’s highest paid assistant coach ($1.15M) for the same position at Oregon, and so, enter D.J. Eliot. Kentucky’s defensive coordinator, who played linebacker at Wyoming, brings a familiar 3-4 system to Boulder. But can a mostly unproven unit minus four 2017 NFL Draft picks make it flourish?
4. Phil focus: The Pac-12 is loaded at running back this fall, with nine named to the Doak Walker Award watch list. CU’s Phillip Lindsay is among the most dynamic. He rushed for 1,189 yards with a conference-leading 16 touchdowns in 2016. Lindsay also has the benefit of a veteran offensive line. Can he match last season’s production?
5. Defensive leaders: With the mass departure on defense, CU will need strong leadership to welcome newcomers into starring roles. Senior outside linebacker Derek McCartney is a natural fit as a two-time team captain with 25 career starts and 9.5 sacks. Who else will step up to fill the void?
Five Pac-12 storylines to follow
1. USC expectations: Quarterback Sam Darnold is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender, winning nine of 10 games he started last fall. The wealth of talent surrounding him in 2017 has made the Trojans a popular playoff pick. Can head coach Clay Helton lead USC back to glory in Year 2?
2. New faces: Willie Taggart (Oregon) and Justin Wilcox (California) join the ranks of league head coaches. Can Taggart restore the Ducks’ luster after a 4-8 2016 campaign? And can Wilcox’s defensive background pay dividends in Berkeley?
3. Huskies’ hopes: The defending Pac-12 champions and playoff participants return starting quarterback Jake Browning. It also loses three of its four starters in the secondary. UW should be favorites to win the north division, but can it keep the league crown over likely favorite USC?
4. Missing McCaffrey: Stanford is without Heisman finalist running back Christian McCaffrey after going 10-3 a year ago. Several offensive weapons return, though, including starting quarterback Keller Chryst. David Shaw has won double-digit games in five of six seasons as head coach. Will it continue?
5. Rosen returns: UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen set several program records as a true freshman, then suffered a shoulder injury six games into last season. When healthy, Rosen stands among the league’s elite passers. Will his play lead the Bruins to their first outright Pac-12 title since 1998?
Podium schedule
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. — Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott
10:40 a.m. — Arizona (Coach Rich Rodriguez, OL Jacob Alsadek, DL Luca Bruno)
11:05 a.m. — California (Coach Justin Wilcox, RB Tre Watson, DE James Looney)
11:30 a.m. — UCLA (Coach Jim Mora, OT Scott Quessenberry, LB Kenny Young)
12:55 a.m. — Oregon State (Coach Gary Andersen, RB Ryan Nall, LB Manase Hungalu)
12:20 a.m. — Colorado (Coach Mike MacIntyre, RB Phillip Lindsay, LB Derek McCartney)
12:45 a.m. — Washington (Coach Chris Petersen, QB Jake Browning, LB Keishawn Bierria)
Thursday
10:40 a.m. — Oregon (Coach Willie Taggart, QB Justin Herbert, LB Troy Dye)
11:05 a.m. — Arizona State (Coach Todd Graham, RB Kalen Ballage, DL JoJo Wicker)
11:30 a.m. — Stanford (Coach David Shaw, RB Bryce Love, DT Harrison Phillips)
12:55 p.m. — Washington State (Coach Mike Leach, RB Jamal Morrow, LB Peyton Pelluer)
12:20 p.m. — USC (Coach Clay Helton, QB Sam Darnold, LB Cameron Smith)
12:45 p.m. — Utah (Coach Kyle Whittingham, OT Salesi Uhatafe, DT Filipo Mokofisi)
How to follow along
There are several ways to follow the action at Pac-12 media days. The event will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network and streamed live on the Pac-12 Now phone application and on pac-12.com/live. The Postap Kyle Fredrickson will also be live-tweeting the event from Hollywood: @kylefredrickson.