Colorado vs. Colorado State preview

Here's another preview: a rivalry game between Colorado and Colorado State. Despite Colorado competing in the Big 12 and CSU in the MWC, the Rams have been surprisingly tough in this matchup in recent years. However, Colorado is one team I feel is worth watching this year. Playing in one of the toughest conferences is no easy feat, but the Buffaloes would be a top three team in the MWC.

Last year: Colorado State 23, Colorado 17
Series history: Colorado is 5-2 in L7, 6-4 in L10, 14-4 in L18

COLORADO
OFFENSE
Returning offensive starters: 10
Starting QB returning: Yes, Tyler Hansen (Jr.)
Offensive injuries: None
OL starts lost from 2009: 0%
RB yards lost from 2009: 20%
QB yards lost from 2009: 0%
WR yards lost from 2009: 28%
DEFENSE
Returning defensive starters: 7
Defensive injuries: None
DL tackles lost from 2009: 0%
LB tackles lost from 2009: 62%
DB tackles lost from 2009: 35%

COLORADO STATE
OFFENSE
Returning offensive starters: 4
Starting QB returning: No
Offensive injuries: FB Klingerman (So., backup, gone), WR Scott (RS-Fr., starter, gone), TE Price (So., backup, gone), RB Mason (Sr., backup, questionable)
OL starts lost from 2009: 73%
RB yards lost from 2009: 8%
QB yards lost from 2009: 99%
WR yards lost from 2009: 53%
DEFENSE
Returning defensive starters: 6
Defensive injuries: LB Diehl (Jr., backup, gone), CB Taylor (RS-Fr., backup, gone), S Stratton (So., backup, gone), DE Macon (Sr., starter, out), DE Tiedgen (So., starter, out)
DL tackles lost from 2009: 75%
LB tackles lost from 2009: 0%
DB tackles lost from 2009: 33%

I've really warmed up to Colorado here. Junior QB Tyler Hansen returns healthy after coming into 2009 banged up with thumb surgery. He replaced senior QB Cody Hawkins, the coach's son, in Week 5 when Hawkins was struggling. Hansen led the Buffaloes to a 34-30 win over Kansas, a 35-34 win over Texas A&M and close losses at Iowa State, at Oklahoma State and versus Nebraska. Colorado also returns its top rusher, junior RB Rodney Stewart, the top two WRs, Scotty McKnight and Markques Simas, who combined for 119 receptions for 1,478 yards and 9 TDs last year. Hansen is clearly the better QB, and he has a fairly reliable receiving core returning from last year. With seven starts under his belt last year, he is pretty much established with the receivers. Colorado also returns all five offensive linemen, and only has to replace its starting TE. The Buffs lost some rushing and some receiving, but none of the leaders in either category. Defensively, the Buffs return seven starters, including their entire defensive line and 2/3 of their secondary. Having to replace 2/3 of their linebackers is going to be tough, but one of those is LB Jon Major, a sophomore who was the #9 MLB in the country in 2008. If he's as good as people thought he was, there shouldn't be a dropoff there.

Meanwhile, Colorado State's outlook looked rosier in April than it does now. The Rams return 10 starters, and lost both of their starting defensive ends recently due to academics and injuries. They replace their starting quarterback, return only 1.5 of 5 offensive linemen and lost around 2/3 of their receivers. Defensively, the Rams must replace 3/4 of their defensive line. While all of their linebackers and most of their secondary returns, that isn't necessarily a great thing: Colorado State's defense allowed 30+ points seven times last year.

Phil Steele has Colorado State the #7 team in the MWC. He has Colorado #3 in the Big 12 North. I think Colorado is fairly safe in this game, even in a neutral Denver site, and even with the rivalry matchup heating up this Week 1 game.