Every college football team, including the Colorado Buffaloes, will have to navigate unforeseen waters as the COVID-19 Pandemic rages on. The Buffaloes are in a unique situation, as players have not had time to get used to how new head coach Karl Dorrell manages the program. It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks as the world finds out more about how to deal with the pandemic.
Lucky for Buffaloes, Offensive and Defensive Schemes Should Be Similar
When one looks at the Colorado Buffaloes football program, they will notice how the team is on their third head coach in three years. However, the offensive and defensive coordinators, Darrin Chiaverini and Tyson Summers have been with the program multiple years.
The defense improved under Tyson Summers last season, as the Buffaloes had late-season home wins against Stanford and Washington. In those two games, the Buffaloes gave up 13 and 14 points, respectively. The 2020 season will be Summers’ second season as the defensive coordinator. Making a huge leap in year one to year two in Summers’ scheme may be key to the Buffaloes making their first bowl game since 2016.
These are tough and uncertain time’s we are in. Let’s make sure we listen to the experts and take care of each other!! We’re all in this together and we must do the things necessary to get through this together!!
— Darrin Chiaverini (@CoachChev6) March 20, 2020
For the offense, Darrin Chiaverini reclaimed the role he had with the team from 2016-18. In this role, Chiaverini was able to help his quarterbacks be threats both in the air and on the ground. Both Steven Montez and Sefo Liufau had 300-yard passing and 100-yard rushing games in 2016 under Chiaverini.
Brendon Lewis could win the Buffaloes’ starting job as a true freshman. However, the possibility of not going through the typical spring practice routine may hinder his chances. Chiaverini may not be able to see live reps from Lewis as he would usually be able to.
All of the new players in the new recruiting class that Mel Tucker was instrumental in may have trouble adjusting to the playbook. The Buffaloes may have to rely on upperclassmen to help freshmen like Brendon Lewis learn the playbook.
Buffaloes Are Not the Only Team in Their Situation
While these problems are unique to Colorado football, every college football team is going to deal with a myriad of problems because of COVID-19. For the Buffaloes to have a successful season, they will have to study the playbook. If players are forced to stay home, it will be harder for them to hold each other accountable for knowing the playbook. With a new coach, the sooner the team practices, they will be better off.
Right now, there are meetings scheduled for the football team starting on March 29. The University of Colorado is on spring break this week, so it will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the coming days.
Will Fans Be At Colorado Football’s Home Opener On September 12?
At this point, the whole sports world is in flux. Right now there should be talk about the upcoming Sweet 16 games in the NCAA Tournament. Because of how the COVID-19 situation is developing, it may be hard for fans to realistically think college stadiums will be full in September. While there has not been too much doubt regarding the 2020 College Football Season being played, it is reasonable to think that the Buffaloes’ home opener against Fresno State on September 12 could be played in front of zero fans.
While this issue is pure speculation, it will be interesting to see how fans would react. Fans that would potentially attend games and buy season tickets may want assurances about their safety. Athletes also may need assurances that they will be playing in a safe environment.
As the uncertainty regarding the future continues to be on everyone’s mind, it is important to keep the safety of the student-athletes in mind. Colorado Football will need to find a way to effectively prepare themselves for the 2020 season. With a first-year head coach, how the Buffaloes emerge from their situation in the coming weeks or months will be telling in how they end up performing in 2020.