Spring 2011 - Key
Questions
Colorado
What's happening this spring season? Several Scout publishers
provide their insider info on the key questions that matter to the real
world of college football.
Spring Questions
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Will
Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase Throw More?
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Will
Boise State's Move To The Mountain West Matter?
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Have Things Changed At Colorado Under Jon Embree?
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Who's
California's Next Superstar?
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Is
Florida State's E.J. Manuel Ready?
Q: How much, if at all, is the move to the Pac-12 affecting the team’s attitude? How is the Jon Embree era going to be different than the Dan Hawkins spring sessions?
From Kyle Ringo, BuffaloSportsNews.com … There’s definitely a level of excitement from the players and fans about the change in conferences, but the first game in the Pac-12 is still months away and the team is really more concerned right now with impressing new coaches and learning a new play book.
We don't know how future springs will be under Embree, but this spring has been all about coaches challenging the Buffs to practice with much more intensity and play a more physical brand of football. Under Dan Hawkins, the Buffs rarely used 9-on-7 or inside run drills, and now they’ll be a staple of practices.
These coaches are a no-nonsense bunch. Players routinely have been sent to the sidelines when it becomes evident they don't know their assignment or a play call. If they make the same mistake again, it gets ugly. More than half the staff has NFL experience and they have definitely brought that professionalism to practices.
Aside from finding out if there is a serious challenger to senior quarterback Tyler Hansen, the biggest need will be tor replace two cornerbacks who’ll be selected in the NFL draft in April. In terms of a big picture story line, I'm keeping my eye on whether players buy in to the new level of expectations and accountability or if some of them begin to jump ship.