Big 12 State of the Union: Colorado
7 comments so far
January 21, 2008 by
While the season finale against Nebraska seemed like a merciful end to the season for the Huskers, it may have been a vital turning point for the Buffaloes. After a 2-10 season in 2006 Colorado needed progress in 2007 and a 5-7 season might have been too little to keep things moving forward in Boulder.
Instead, things have really turned around for Colorado particularly when it comes to recruiting. The Buffaloes landed six commitments in the month of December, five of whom earned four-star rankings from Rivals.com and two of whom had originally committed to Nebraska.
Still, a bowl loss to Alabama leaves the Buffaloes at 6-7 on the year, their second losing record in as many years and subpar when compared with the on-field success enjoyed under Gary Barnett. That makes the 2008 season a critical one in terms of Hawkins remaining employed at Colorado. And the 2008 schedule is no cake-walk.
The Buffs open against Colorado State in Denver in a game the Rams always seem to play well in, then they get one free win against Eastern Washington at home before travelling to Florida to face the Florida State Seminoles. They then have a home date against a West Virginia team that might still have a backfield with Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine. They host Texas the very next week, travel to Lawrence the week after, before a home date against Kansas State (who throttled CU in Manhattan a year ago). Then they go at Missouri (who returns Chase Daniel) and at Texas A&M (who returns their entire offensive backfield). They get an easy home date against Iowa State and then face a salty Oklahoma State team at home a week later before traveling to Lincoln for the season finale. It’s not inconceivable that they could go 1-3 out of conference and then 2-6 in conference or 3-9 overall. Even a less than worse-case scenario might have them finishing with 7 or more losses again which could end the Dan Hawkins era at CU after it has barely begun.
A lot may hinge on the play of Cody Hawkins. If CU has a losing season but the younger Hawkins shines, there could be sentiment to retain his father as head coach only to keep the son from transferring. However, if a viable backup emerges or the young Hawkins does not play well (as the team around him fails) then they could seemingly send the quarterback packing along with his Dad.
On the other hand, if the Buffs survive a brutal schedule (even 7-5 would be enough) then they might keep the positive momentum rolling and be building back to being not only a contender in their division but becoming a national contender as well. But right now the future of this program is all about 2008. Seemingly everything will hinge on the outcome of next season.
Related: Read the 2007 State of the Union report on Colorado
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jrbuff Jan 21 08
let's not pull the plug too soon, it too mccartney 7 years to get to a national championship. ye who has little faith much be be a husker. we have faith.
doombob Jan 21 08
It's a reality in today's Big 12 that a team start winning as soon as possible or keep winning. Hawkins is probably out if he can't improve or keep this year's record the same as last year's. And even if you do keep winning, lose too many big games, and get ready to say goodbye. Each year a coach is in place brings higher expectations.
mjm Jan 21 08
You need to give him at least 4 to 5 years. He took over a program that was in the doldrums. TO used to say that other Big 8 teams should give there coaches 6 to 7 years, when most would fire them after 4 or so. The Nebraska case last year was different in my opinion, the team, the university, and the state were all faltering big time, and more time would have hurt the program more than helped.
In CO Jan 21 08
You obviously don't read the Colorado press. The AD, and the fans, love Hawk and think he is the man to take them back to national prominence. There is no way that he gets fired next year. He could go 2-10 again and still have a job.
steve Jan 21 08
In CO and jrbuff,
I'm not used to hearing this kind of patience from ANYONE'S fans in this day and age. It's not like Barnett was going 1-10 each year, he won the division four times in five seasons including his final year.
Now the Buffs have had to stomach 10 losses and 7 losses in two years. You really think that another 7 losses would buy Hawkins another season? Maybe the slow build at Kansas has changed some minds but I would think going from division champ to what would be three straight losing records would have raised expectations a bit more than that.
How can you be sure that the two of you speak for other CU fans, and more importantly "boosters of substance"? I would think that he would need at least 7 wins next year to keep the heat off.
In CO Jan 21 08
I agree that if they don't win 7 games next year he will start feeling some heat but they don't fire him.
When Barnett left the cupboard was bare and they had no support from the University or the community. Between the new AD and Hawk they are saying and doing all the right things. The recruiting class this year is better then they have had in a while. Lots of excitement around the program.
They have a tought schedule next year and I see them finishing 6-6 and getting a bowl bid. Then you might start hearing the talk about "How long does he get".
OU7times Jan 21 08
Dan Hawkins is a real good coach and personally I feel is a good fit for the Big 12. What he has managed to do in his second year alone is amazing after the train wreck Barnett left. I would like to see him get 2 more years in Boulder before he's judged whether he's going to stick. Too bad class doesn't count much in college football because he has it.