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Thorburn: Grid preview magazines don't show CU much love
Nothing says summer is almost here like the smell of freshly printed football preview magazines.
Al Gore would be outraged if he knew how many trees were killed in the name of breaking down the SEC's best offensive guards three months before kickoff.
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Based on the number of different publications, it appears the rest of Tennessee simply can't get enough information on the Vols before their Sept. 1 trip to Cal.
I can tell you on the college side of the rack, as someone who has written for these kinds of magazines before, that the predictions and analysis of a lot of the teams are done by people who rarely see them play (some beat writers only see the team they're covering and select games on TV).
As a result, many of the projections are based on the previous season. Which helps explain why Hawk isn't getting any national love.
Despite the fact that Colorado has some quality veteran players (see Dizon, Jordon) on the team and an impressive recruiting class (Miller, Ryan) on the way, most outsiders still see the program's cupboard as half-empty.
The administration at CU and most local fans believe Dan Hawkins is the right man for the job. But east of the Mississippi, he's still the former Boise State coach who is 2-10 since moving on to ... "the Big 12, brother!"
Athlon Sports ranks the Buffs 61st nationally and fifth in the six-team Big 12 North, ahead of only Iowa State. The magazine must have heard of the shortage of offensive linemen on campus for spring drills and took notice of Abraham Wright's departure for the NFL.
"Fans would be well-advised to remain patient," AS notes.CU's courage to once again play a challenging nonconference schedule — which includes the annual showdown with Colorado State at Invesco Field, a road trip to Arizona State when the desert is still sweltering and a home game against a talented Florida State roster determined to get Bobby Bowden back in the BCS picture — will make it difficult for Hawkins to stay patient.
Some young players — perhaps including his own son and some true freshmen — are going to have to grow up in a hurry if Hawkins hopes to see significant progress in the win column this fall.
Lindy's 2007 Big 12 preview, in which the CU breakdown is provided by the Camera's Kyle Ringo, indicates the Buffs should be much-improved. Yet the issue still ranks the Buffs preseason No. 74.
"The overly ambitious nonconference schedule hurts," Lindy's predicts.
The headline of the Athlon Sports Big 12 regional edition cover reads: Bouncing Back in Boulder. But when excited Buffs fans flip it open the outlook is for a 2007 black and gold bust.
"They should be better this year," an anonymous opposing coach tells AS. "But then again, it's hard to imagine how it could be much worse."
Well, Montana State isn't on the schedule.
The good news, at least for openers, is that things haven't been going much better in recent years up in Fort Collins. CSU is ranked 83rd by Lindy's and 79th by Athlon.
The Buffs and Sheep lock horns on Sept. 1. ...
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are getting much more respect in the NFL preview magazines churned out by the same companies.
Mike Shanahan's aggressive offseason — his free-agent recruiting class includes Travis Henry, Dan Graham, Dre Bly and Sam Adams — has the Broncos in the top five of most power rankings behind Indianapolis, New England, San Diego and either Cincinnati or the perceived class of the NFC (usually Chicago, Dallas or New Orleans).
Lindy's alerts fantasy football geeks that Henry is "a lock" for 1,400 yards rushing behind Tom Nalen's O-line and calls the former Buffalo and Tennessee tailback the "best free-agent pickup in the AFC West."
Jay Cutler should have made his first playoff start last season, but perhaps the debacle against San Francisco was the best thing for the gifted young quarterback in the long run because it caused Shanahan to make some bold moves to improve the cast around the franchise's first worthy John Elway successor.
Pro Football Weekly predicts the Broncos will finish 10-6, second in the AFC West to the Chargers (11-5). Getting picked to finish behind Norv Turner should serve as strong motivation for Shanahan, who reads just about everything that is written about his team.
I agree completely with PFW's classification of Champ Bailey as the best defensive player in the league. The Pro Bowl cornerback ranks seventh in the magazine's ranking of all NFL players behind six offensive stars (LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson).
Now that I've sifted through all of the summer speculation, here's my two cents:
The Buffs will finish 5-7 and out of the bowl picture.
The Broncos will finish 11-5 and in the playoffs.
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Posted by extrapoint on June 16, 2007 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A win in the first game over the lambs would be huge for confidence after last season.
After that there are six more very winnable games. If they dont let the name get in the way, Florida State could be another.
Wont be long before Dr. Tom or one of his "buddies" gets tired of watching Gomer Pyle reruns and comes on to tell us how we are going to lose all of them.
Posted by RIBuff on June 17, 2007 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't really care what the publications say about the team. I am looking for improvement particularly on the offensive side of the ball this year. We had a few games that were there for the taking last year and were not able to put together a key drive to put it away.
I look forward to all the knuckleheads who have nothing better to do in Nebraska or wherever showing up here to make comments about how bad our team is. Funny thing to me is that these guys claim there is no real rivalry between The Buffs and Shuckers but they spend an awful lot of time and energy here trying to persuade us that they are better than us and our team will never amount to much.
Anyway, here's hoping for a better season and a bowl game.
GO BUFFS GO!!!
RIBUFF
Posted by reallifeshocker on June 17, 2007 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
heck, 5 and 7 seems pretty good considering last seasons troubles.
Posted by Covercorner on June 18, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yawn...
Posted by Covercorner on June 18, 2007 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Same old tired, recycled material.
Posted by KellDog on June 18, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is quite interesting why the nurse is here every day.
Kind of reminds u of the ol' nurse ratchett from the nest. Sad.
dog
I'm still thinking we go 6-6 and bowl in December.
Posted by Covercorner on June 18, 2007 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Still does not explain the obsession with being out here, and again, same garbage, different pile.
Posted by Covercorner on June 18, 2007 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This coming from the guy who predicted a national title contending NU team last year. You guys still have not beat a top 20 team yet and are on a 3 game losing streak.
Callahan's first 2 1/2 years were horrible and he has been above average since. Was it because he was a bad coach or because Solich left him with nothing to work with while totally overhauling the team?
The parallels are pretty clear. You may know your football but the NU fans I talk are smart and CLASSY enough to know these things take time to turn around. They are much more worried about their own teams shortcomings than to spend their time trolling another teams board to make themselves feel better.
Posted by Covercorner on June 18, 2007 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nevermind. There's no point to this, just keep trolling and maybe you'll get board or get a life someday.
Posted by WeDontLiveInLincoln on June 19, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nebraska should be lucky to go 6-6 this year with losses to USC, Ball St, Missouri, Texas, Kansas, and CU. Missouri will probably take the North this year.
Posted by rswright on June 19, 2007 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have all of you bought your season tickets and/or sent in a contribution? CU needs it. Don't let the student's
tuition pay the football deficits.
Posted by Covercorner on June 19, 2007 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Saw that one coming a mile away.
Posted by WeDontLiveInLincoln on June 19, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Missouri is expected to win the North per most credible football sources which includes the fact that Nebraska can't win at Missouri. The last two times the Cornhuskers stepped onto Faurot Field, in 2003 and 2005, they were handed matching 41-24 defeats.
I guess, maybe this belongs on those teams forums. But for some reason, a Nebraska fan has to air his rants on a Buff site. Go back to Lincoln, Tom, and sell your rah rah Husker crap to your fellow bugeaters....PLEASE!
Posted by extrapoint on June 19, 2007 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you guys keep forgetting Dr. Tom really isnt all about the huskers.....its about Barney's revenge against Hawkins
Posted by colorado2986 on June 20, 2007 at 4:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in Nebraska and iam a Colorado fan. I read the paper and the only thing ever in the sports section is about nebraska football so i get a good feel about how there team is going to be. For the first time ever they dont have a D 1-AA on there roster. They actaully play some hard games against USC,Nevada and they travel to Wake Forest which i believe is there trap game. Dont Worry Colorado fans, Nebraska still is not going to win a national title but they will contend for the Big 12 North because they are a talented team. I predict the Huskers finish with 8-9 wins maybe 7 because they have a difficult schedule which might hurt them. They will lose to USC,Wake Forest is the defending ACC Champs so they are gonna give the huskers a run for there money.Texas will beat them. They will lose to Missouri, just because its in Columbia, Nevada is talented enough to scare Nebraska and Ball State scared Michigan last year. The game in Colorado will be interesting to see because the team that comes into that game on a roll will have the upper advantage. Also I dont think people know this, but Mark Helfrich was Sam Keller's QB coach at Arizona St. He probley knows some stuff that will benefit the buffs. He will give the buff's the same advantage that Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore gave the huskers. The game in Boulder will be great. Should be fun to watch!!
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 6:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nice to hear from a real Husker fan....instead of that stale gas machine who reflects the character of the old coach he was joined at the hip with.
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
doin a good job there
dr tom
tryin to convince us you are the original husker fan
instead of the original barney fan. Kinda funny you are accusin someone else of hero worship.
had those craig stats right on the tip of your tongue, did ya?
The original West coast offense was fine until every other team did the copycat thing and the Ds caught up with it.
I hope your NEW hero, callahan doesnt hang on to it until it becomes ancient history like his predecessors did with the running game.
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Roger Craig was an easy target. Lets give the Dr a little husker iq test. Without going to the internet, who was the most dominating blackshirt?
I'll even give you a little hint. He wasnt nearly as successful as Craig in the NFL
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
it was kinda tough to replace Monrtana, Young and Rice wasnt it?
and maybe you can clue us in on the husker fullback that played there for a while?
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll take Rich Glover over Thomas
Posted by Covercorner on June 20, 2007 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"PS, I don't have to air anything here, it just amuses me to do so to you hapless CU fans.."
Proving that you really are a pathetic person who clearly has nothing better to do in life. Thanks for confirming what I already knew.
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how hapless would we be and how much respect could we gather if we jumped ship like the doctor. the coach meant more to him than our school.
Posted by dabuffs50 on June 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As usual, sarcastic fatty
Posted by Covercorner on June 20, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Question: When the Huskers drop 4-5 games this year and are unable to beat a ranked team lose their bowl game and finish out of the top 20 (again), will Dr. Tom?
a. Claim the Huskers are being undermined as part of a vast conspiracy.
b. Claim the Huskers should still be in the national title game.
c. Still worship Slashahan and Watson despite their ineptitude.
d. Lock himself in his trailer, curl into a ball and cry like a little girl.
e. Still come on here and troll cause as long as the welfare check clears he has no reason to do anything else.
f. ALL OF THE ABOVE
Posted by dabuffs50 on June 20, 2007 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow, delusional sarcastic fatty
Posted by Covercorner on June 20, 2007 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I liked your multiple choice one, that was somewhat creative, but then you went back to the same old tired material. Yawn.
Posted by Covercorner on June 20, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ha! Looks like the doc was shown the door. I'm sure he will be back but we can always hope.
Posted by extrapoint on June 20, 2007 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the doctor's fawning over Craigs's 3 superbowl rings has got me thinking. I know Graham and Johnson have a few. I wonder which school's alumni have the most? All the first reactions would be the Huskers but I think it might be a lot closer than it would appear. Who wants to find out? I know the Dr. has the time on his hands, but no one would trust his answer.
Posted by Covercorner on June 21, 2007 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I googled some different stuff but did not see much. I wonder if that is information Dave Plati tracks. I would have to go out on a limb and say that NU probably holds an edge as they put so many O & D-line guys in the league over the years. I would venture to say that it may be even or slightly in favor of CU in just the last 10 years though.
Posted by buffsoulja on June 21, 2007 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
just get back from the rockies game sending that chump clemons and them other high priced yankee busters outta colorado with our push brooms!!! yankee fans and husker fans have alot in common, pompous, arrogant, loud mouth, drunks, that act like their "stuff" don't stink. the mad exodus of spankee fans reminded me of busker fans scrambling outta folsom in 2001 with their tails tucked between their legs. players and fans in colorado always have to remind the world that sports aint about who spends the most money, buys the best equipment, and how many tv deals you can get. in colorado it's about heart and pride, ask john elway and darian hagan. sat next to some decent husker fan with some interesting insights. i guess ol cally the clown has 2 years to win the big 12 and a bcs game or bye bye cally and can take the bum pederson with him. i guess cally feels that he is better suited to coach in the nfl and doesn't like the recruiting parts of college ftball and if the right job opens up he's gone. tommy boy and cally the clown are the only busker fans to think that beating a "tired" barnett team and a hawk team with barnett's "groceries" are good enough for job security in lincoln. this fan thinks that hawk will win the big 12 and get to a bcs game before that clown and that cally treats his players like "robots". wow tommy boy i guess things aint so grand in red country and i cannot wait till we pound yall in november. heart and pride over silly 10 star overhyped babies anyday, ask bobby pesavento and erin couch-if you can find him, i think he is still in therapy over having nighmares over being trampled by angry bufaloes. LET'S GO YANKEES!!! lol what a joke. thanx for visiting our great state and come back soon ya here. SHULDA2SHULDA