Pac-12 football preview: Trojans and Ducks the teams to beat
Colorado
COLORADO — Key players: QB Connor Wood, RB Tony Jones, T David Bakhtiari, DT Will Pericak, LB Doug Rippy, S Ray Polk. Returning starters: offense 3, defense 6.
Notes: The Buffaloes had a rough initiation into the expanded Pac-12, going 3-10, and could be in for some more difficult times this season with one of the youngest teams in the nation. ... Wood is the likely front-runner to start at quarterback after sophomore Nick Hirschman broke his foot for the second time in less than a year last March. ... Paul Richardson, one of Colorado's top returning receivers, is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the spring. ... The Buffaloes struggled last season, but did manage to end a 23-game road losing streak.
Notes: The Buffaloes had a rough initiation into the expanded Pac-12, going 3-10, and could be in for some more difficult times this season with one of the youngest teams in the nation. ... Wood is the likely front-runner to start at quarterback after sophomore Nick Hirschman broke his foot for the second time in less than a year last March. ... Paul Richardson, one of Colorado's top returning receivers, is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the spring. ... The Buffaloes struggled last season, but did manage to end a 23-game road losing streak.