NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Gary Barnett
7-5, 1 year
50-61-2, 10 years overall
1999 Record: 7-5
Sep 04 Colorado State Lost 14-41
Sep 11 San Jose State Won 63-35
Sep 18 Kansas Won 51-17
Sep 25 @Washington Lost 24-31
Oct 09 Missouri Won 46-39
Oct 16 @Texas Tech Lost 10-31
Oct 23 @Iowa State Won 16-12
Oct 30 Oklahoma Won 38-24
Nov 06 @Kansas State Lost 14-20
Nov 13 @Baylor Won 37-0
Nov 26 Nebraska Lost 30-33
INSIGHT.COM BOWL
Dec 31 Boston College Won 62-28
1999 Final Rankings
AP-NR,  BCS-NR,  Coaches-NR
2000 Outlook

The Buffaloes may be looking at 2000 as a transition year heading for a big output in 2001. For the most part they are young and talented which is good because injuries have taken a major toll in the spring, moreso than most teams have. The first big key will be finding a QB to step up out of the pack and begin learning the offense quickly. It's anyone's guess who the starter will be in September between Colvin and Pesavento. The second key will be how well the offensive line comes together to help the young QB's and how much time they can give him in the pocket. The third big key is that the secondary needs help. Three starters were lost and although by the end of the season the Colorado defensive backs have the speed to become a factor, the schedule won't allow any time as it is extremely brutal. The first five games are in-state rival CSU, Southern Cal, Washington, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas, and Nebraska to close. Those first five games are a tall order for a team trying to find a new QB and an offensive line trying to fill voids. So Gary Barnett has his hands full which is one thing he surely has become accustomed to.
Projected record: 6-6

Colorado 2000 Schedule

COLORADO
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 2 DL - 3.5
RB - 2.5 LB - 3.5
WR - 4 DB - 2
OL - 2  

 

 


COLORADO BUFFALOES
2000 FOOTBALL PREVIEW


2000 OFFENSE
Strengths: A good solid core exists at wide receiver where senior and All-Big 12 Candidate Javon Green returns after leading the team in receptions a year ago. Joining him is some great depth with solid experience in Minardi, Hollowell, and Cormier. The Buffaloes have a strong running back in Cortlen Johnson who rushed for 15 carries and 201 yards against Boston College in last season's bowl game and will have big expectations going into the fall as he finished 1999 with over 1,000 total yards. The talk around Boulder is about how good incoming freshman blue chipper Marcus Houston will be at tailback and if he is as good as advertised it could be big. One of the conference's best tight ends will be on the field for Colorado in 2000 as Daniel Graham returns to the lineup. A super pass catcher at tight end that will help stretch defenses out.
Weaknesses: When will the quarterback puzzle be solved. Zac Colvin has the most experience at Colorado and started out in the lead but then JUCO transfer Bobby Pesavento caught on fire and began to assume command. Next, Colvin had a great spring game and now coaches say they won't name a starter until fall. Neither is very experienced so don't count out incoming freshman Craig Ochs. Back-ups at running back are slim unless Marcus Houston comes to play in his first year. The second biggest question mark may be on the offensive line where a few studs will be missing. in Bedell and Johanningmeier. There is concern about the depth on the OL and injuries could really hurt. Center Andre Gurode will be the leader of the group. Coach Barnett has already stated his worries about being able to run towards a Big 12 title.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Zac Colvin 6-4 215 So. Bobby Pesavento 6-5 230 Jr.
FB David Andrews 6-4 240 Jr. Brandon Drumm 6-2 220 So.
TB Cortlen Johnson 5-9 195 Jr.   Vince Reed 6-0 195 So.
WR Javon Green 6-2 200 Sr.   Cedric Cormier 5-11 185 Jr.
WR John Minardi 6-2 200 Jr.   Roman Hollowell 5-6 160 Jr.
T Tom Ashworth 6-6 265 Sr.   Karl Allis 6-5 315 Fr.
G Ryan Gray 6-3 290 So.   Tony Camp 6-2 265 So.
C Andre Gurode 6-4 320 Jr.   Marwan Hage 6-3 265 Fr.
G Justin Bates 6-4 295 So.   Josh Foster 6-6 285 So.
T Victor Rogers 6-7 330 Jr.   Jordan Gehring 6-6 325 Fr.
TE Daniel Graham 6-3 235 Jr.   Beau Williams 6-3 215 So.
K Jeremy Flores 5-10 170 Jr.   Derek Moore 5-9 175 Jr.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Mike Moschetti-QB, Marcus Stiggers-WR, Brad Bedell-OL, Ryan Johanningmeier-OL
Shane Cook-OL, Dwayne Cherrington-RB, Jeremy Aldrich-K


2000 DEFENSE
Strengths: Coach Gary Barnett loves his front seven. Defensive end Brady McDonnell, who will get some national recognition in 2000, has started 23 consecutive games for the Buffaloes. A pleasant surprise at the end position will be newcomer Anwawn Jones, a transfer from Northwestern. The linebackers could be a strength if they can play as consistent as they did during the '99 season. Three starters are back. Butkis Candidate Jashon Sykes is coming off of a monster season leading the nation in forced turnovers with 7 of them and was voted MVP of the Insight.com Bowl. Michael Lewis is a solid strong safety and is the lone returning starter in the defensive backfield.
Weaknesses: There are several concerns on defense. The secondary is a problem with the loss of three defensive backs from last year. Cornerback Ben Kelly split early for the NFL and also left a huge void at kick returning duty. All of the DB's possess speed and may wind up pretty solid as the year closes. But inexperience levels are high. The biggest concern will be from the injury department where Butkis Candidate Jashon Sykes had off-season shoulder surgery. Also, fellow linebacker Ty Gregorak is questionable with knee and shoulder problems and may decide to redshirt the upcoming season.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Tyler Brayton 6-6 255 So. Robert Haas 6-5 250 Jr.
DT Justin Bannan 6-3 295 Jr. Sam Taulealea 6-0 320 So.
DT Sean Jarne 6-6 295 Sr.   Pete Friedrich 6-3 280 Fr.
DE Brady McDonnell 6-4 265 Sr.   Anwawn Jones 6-4 245 Sr.
ILB Ty Gregorak 6-3 260 Sr.   Aaron Killion 6-3 235 So.
ILB Jashon Sykes 6-3 230 Jr.   Joey Johnson 6-2 210 So.
OLB Drew Wahlroos 6-3 230 So.   Kory Mossoni 6-3 220 So.
CB Nate Wright 6-0 180 Jr.   Donald Strickland 5-10 180 So.
CB Terrence Wood 5-10 175 Jr.   Phil Jackson 6-1 175 Fr.
SS Michael Lewis 6-2 205 Jr.   Albus Brooks 6-0 190 Jr.
FS Robbie Robinson 5-10 195 Jr.   Medford Moorer 6-2 195 Fr.
P Jeremy Flores 5-10 170 Jr.   Mark Mariscal 6-2 190 So.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Ben Kelly-CB, Rashidi Barnes-FS, Damen Wheeler-CB, Fred Jones-LB,
Jesse Warren-DT, Nick Pietsch-P