Overview
During the off-season, fourth-year coach Dan Hawkins said he believes the Buffaloes can be a 10-win team. Considering Colorado finished 5-7 after a 3-0 start last season, that's a pretty bold statement. However, last season was wrecked by injuries, particularly on the offensive line. That led to an offense that lacked consistency and struggled to score points. Hawkins is a glass-is-overflowing kind of coach; he believes that 10 returning starters on offense plus a healthy offensive line will make Colorado's 2009 season successful.

Who's missing
The defense must replace defensive tackle George Hypolite, an outstanding player and team leader, plus safety Ryan Walters. The offensive line must replace center Daniel Sanders.

Who's moving
Sophomore Mike Iltis, who missed last season after suffering a season-ending ACL tear during the first day of August camp, hoped to compete for starting time at offenisve guard. This season, he has moved to center and appears to have a good chance at taking over for departed starter Daniel Sanders.

Fresh face
The Buffaloes have two reliable receivers in Scotty McKnight and Josh Smith. But not only does Colorado lack any other pass catchers who have proven themselves in games, the depth chart is thin at wide receiver - only three are on scholarship.

But during spring practices, sophomore walk on Jason Espinoza was showing the ability and work ethic that could earn him playing time this season. In the team's first two scrimmages, Espinoza has 11 catches for 175 yards.

"He can play," coach Dan Hawkins said. "If he keeps working the way he's working, if he keeps doing the things he's doing, he can be one of the mainstays for us."

The 5-8, 175-pounder played running back, defensive back and wide receiver at Alamosa (Colo.) High School. He was invited to walk on at Colorado by defensive coordinator Greg Brown. Instead of defense, Epinoza found himself working on the offensive side of the ball. His goal is playing time and earning a scholarship.

"I had an old coach tell me one time that you win with achievers and lose with potential," Hawkins said. "To win, you have to have that burning passion.

"Espy's got it."

Spring buzz
* The quarterback battle between junior-to-be Cody Hawkins and sophomore-to-be Tyler Hansen won't be resolved during spring practice. "We're not going to call anything until the fall," offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. "There won't be enough separation."

* Colorado coach Dan Hawkins has no problem being referred to as a "gadget guy." During spring practcies, the Buffaloes' quarterbacks are wearing helmet cams, an idea of Jamie Guy the director of sports video. The video from the helmet cams is synchronized with the usual video that's recorded during practices. That allows the coaching staff to see exactly what the QBs were seeing during certain points during each play.

* Technology giveth, technology taketh away. After the first 10 days of spring practice, Hawkins decided to close practices to the public because too much detailed information about schemes, players' roles and injuries was being published in blogs, on message boards and in the mainstream media.

* Associate head coach Brian Cabral (who coaches the linebackers) and defensive coordinator Greg Brown are excited about the talent and depth in their linebackers corps. Seniors-to-be Jeff Smart and Shaun Mohler are returning starters plus three others who saw action in at least 100 plays last season are back.

* Matt Ballenger, who appeared destined for third-team status behind quarterbacks Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen, decided during spring practice that he would transfer to another school. An all-state basketball player in Idaho, Ballenger is considering playing hoops at his new school.

* Junior college receiver Andre Simmons is at Independence Community College in Kansas taking seven classes in hopes to become eligible at Colorado. He'll also need to take two more classes this summer. He is taking seven classes this semester inhopes of completing all that he needs to to qualify at CU. He will follow up this summer with two more classes. The Buffaloes are thin at wide receiver and the roster could benefit if Simmons can make the grade.

Coach speak from Dan Hawkins
On the quarterback battle between his son Cody and Tyler Hansen:
"I think we want to end up having a starting quarterback, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't do some other funky stuff. They're both playing very well. (If and when a decision is made) it will happen when it's supposed to happen."

On the offensive line's health and improvement:
"We're doing better. We still don't have everybody 100 percent. We went through my first two springs with only about five offensive linemen available. It's nice to have enough linemen so we've got enough linemen to get everything done we needed to. ... We're gonna have eight offensive linemen who have had a lot of game experience and that's a positive."

On his team's attitude:
"Our leadership, the way our kids are carrying themselves, their body language, it's been excellent."

2009 Schedule