Big Hits

Ready to hear Dan Hawkins bellow, "how 'bout them Buffs" any day now. And know what? I like it! The man is energy personified. Enthusiasm, when genuine, sells, and right now, I'm suited up. Yeah, I'm not gettin' on the field, like, ever, but I'm suited up. Not in pads, just a jersey I bought at Footlocker. And my helmet is on backwards. Thanks to Thaddaeus Washington.

Columnists are rarely loved. If they earn a consistent and large-enough readership, they have done their job. If they receive constant feedback, they have done their job. The Boulder Daily Camera's Neil Woelk has a way of spinning hardline comments with just enough diplomacy that he receives a loyal, respected following. The Denver Post's Mark Kiszla, a man of talent, is a bit too biting, to gather the same support, seen almost like Ross Perot was. You have to be good with people to thrive. Just ask Al Gore.

Woelk ran a column Saturday picking CU to win 8 games and go bowling against Wisconsin. In the opinion here, despite the juicing many fans are doing on optimism, is that is a bar the team won't reach this year. For now, many see the defense as the best in school history, even without one preseason All-American on the unit. Many see the offense as ready to bust out, without one truly given commodity.

The most recognized player on the team?

The kicker.

Doesn't that say it all?

That said, Kiszla's edgy style, reputation for negativity, whether deserved or not, had the masses up in arms with his comments stating that 7 wins with the current talent level would be a better job of coaching by Hawkins than former coach Gary Barnett ever accomplished.

Better than north division titles and a conference championship?

Yes, overstated.

The point being made was that the Buffs are devoid of enough star-quality talent, especially at QB. No one knows what starter James Cox or his backup, Brian White, can be, or worse, are currently. Doesn't mean they won't develop into proficient players. Only means the unknown is mighty, well, unknown, and that creates anxiety in people. O.K., maybe only me.

Buff Bottom Line...both columnists are stating their opinions, which is what they are supposed to do. Both are paid to provoke thought. Woelk and Kiszla do their jobs. What readers think of them, and those different views and styles, is immaterial to their professions.

The team's latest scrimmage, we hear, was full of offense. Maybe it was an electric show of what's to come, but of course, didn't such news also lift the spirits of those who were wondering about that unit's ability to move the football. The season will be the proof in the pudding, and in the opinion here, the offense will be more about grind-it-out scores, with a lack of gamebreaking talent, than ESPN highlight plays. Find a way to put up wins, play exciting and sell, sell, sell and Hawkins should be able to get the talent for his system and young, intriguing coaching staff.

Colorado has accepted a transfer, with The Boulder Daily Camera announcing that former Idaho safety Daniel "D.J." Dykes will be doing it the hard way, walking on to the team with hopes of earning a scholarship. Dykes isn't just some wanna be, either, as he racked up 141 tackles and 6 interceptions in two years with the Vandals, showing some ballhawk skills the CU defense needs.

He also brings size to the position as he's listed at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. Dykes was a two-year starter at strong safety and was getting preseason all-conference honors before deciding to leave Idaho.

Buff Bottom Line...transfers are another way to add talent, as Tyson DeVree and Dykes show. Both players were established, productive starters at other schools. The key to getting more transfers is making sure all is done to develop those who do decide CU is an ideal fit for their skills.

TheTruth