Orangebloods.com - Ask the Expert: Colorado Buffaloes

October 8, 2009

Adam Munsterteiger
Special to Orangebloods.com

How much pressure is Dan Hawkins feeling and what's his long-term future look like at Colorado?

That's the million-dollar question in Boulder these days. Publicly, Hawkins is not showing the effects of being under pressure. For the most part, he has been the same ole' Dan Hawkins since the beginning of the season.

His long-term future is obviously in limbo. Colorado fans are understandably frustrated. The Buffaloes are 14-27 since Hawkins took over in 2006. But he is under contract through the 2012 season and it would cost in the neighborhood of $3 million to buy him out. That might not be a big issue for some programs, but the Buffaloes' athletic department is still in debt. It had to borrow $8 million from the campus and CU system in 2006 and that has yet to be paid off. Part of that money was used for Gary Barnett's buyout.

If the Buffaloes finish with a sub .500 record this season, and they will unless they win at least five of their eight conference games, most Colorado fans will be clamoring for a coaching change. The question at that point would be whether athletic director Mike Bohn is willing to and can financially make a change.

What has been CU's biggest issues this year? On the broader view, what has kept the program from taking off under Hawkins?

They say the game is won in the trenches, and the Buffaloes have three first-year starters on both their offensive and defensive line. That has probably been Colorado's biggest issue this year, just a lack of experience up front on both sides of the ball. Also, in Colorado's first two games, their worst two performances of the young season, it got in an early hole. And that forced it to throw the ball a lot more than it would ideally like to. The Buffs would prefer to play a smash-mouth brand of football. But when you are down by 20 points, you have no choice but to abandon the running game.

Who are CU's top playmakers on each side of the ball?

Offensively, tailback Rodney Stewart and wide receiver Scotty McKnight are the Buffs' top playmakers. Stewart was hindered by a hamstring injury at the beginning of the season but he has rushed for more than 100 yards in Colorado's last two games. He now ranks fourth in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game. Stewart is the speedy, shifty type. He stands 5-foot-6, 175-pounds, and can be hard for defenses to find. McKnight is not going to wow you with his speed or size, but he is a student of the game and just finds a way to get open. McKnight has caught a pass in 28 straight games, which has set a school record. He ranks tied for second in the conference with 7.25 receptions per contest.

On defense, junior outside linebacker B.J. Beatty is the Buffs' best pass rusher. Senior inside linebacker Jeff Smart, like McKnight, is not a physical specimen but he is a gamer. He recorded 118 tackles last year and leads the team with 39 stops early on this season. Junior cornerback Jimmy Smith has a great combination of size and speed, and senior cornerback Cha'pelle Brown is one of the Buffs' surest tacklers.

Texas fans are obviously familiar with Darrell Scott. Can you give a look at his career thus far in a nutshell, and what has held him back from breaking out?

Scott was obviously expected to be a superstar at the college level from day one, and that has not happened. I'll start from the beginning.

Scott did not get to campus until just before preseason camp in 2008. He had to stay back in California to pass an Algebra class that he needed to qualify. Scott was out of shape and not used to the altitude. About midway through preseason practices, when he was just starting to get in shape, a rash of minor injuries began limiting his production. He suffered a thumb injury, a groin injury and hyperextended his knee and had an ankle sprain.

Scott got in tremendous shape this past off-season and looked like a different back during spring practices. But he only received one carry in the Buffs' opener against Colorado State. Hawkins took some heat for that from media and fans. In week two against Toledo, Scott rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries, but he suffered a knee bruise in the game. That kept him out of Colorado's week three game against Wyoming. Then last Thursday against West Virginia, Rodney Stewart started out the game like gangbusters so they kind of rode the hot hand. Scott got only four carries against the Mountaineers.

When Scott has been healthy and he has gotten enough carries to get in a rhythm, he has shown glimpses of big time potential. But those times have been few and far between.

What's Colorado's mental make-up after the slow start and does the team have the confidence to pull of an upset in Austin?

The players and coaches have stayed upbeat during practices and when talking to the media this week. I don't think a lack of confidence is the reason they couldn't pull off an upset in Austin. I think the fact that they are overmatched talent and experience wise is the reason they won't be able to pull off the upset.

If the game was in Boulder, I would be a little more optimistic about the Buffs' chances. They play good teams tough at home. They knocked off Oklahoma a couple years ago on their home turf, and upset West Virginia in Boulder last year. But under Hawkins, the Buffs are just 2-16 on the road. They have lost eight straight away from Folsom Field.

How do you see the game playing out and what's your final prediction?

I think Colorado will score a few more points against the Longhorns this Saturday than most people expect. It's offensive line has shown improvement the last couple games, talented young CU wide receiver Markques Simas is finally active and healthy and has some confidence after catching a touchdown pass against West Virginia, Stewart has been running the ball well and Scott will obviously be motivated going to Austin. But Colorado's defense is going to have a hard time slowing down Colt McCoy and Co. I'll say Texas 38, Colorado 21.

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