ESPN College Football

I like rising and firing as much as the next guy, and the same goes for doing things "AT THE BUZZER!," but that doesn't mean I'll wear a shirt to remind people of it.

• Kansas State has more at stake in tonight's game against Kansas, writes Kevin Haskin of the Topeka Capital-Journal.
• Kansas coach Turner Gill is still learning what this whole Sunflower Showdown is all about, writes Tully Corcoran of the Topeka Capital-Journal, who also had me back on their podcast to talk K-State/Kansas, Nebraska and surprises in the Big 12.
• Oklahoma State is having to explore some other options at receiver because of injuries, writes John Helsley of The Oklahoman.
• DeMarco Murray is on the verge of breaking a 41-year-old Oklahoma record.
• Iowa State cornerback Ter'ran Benton is returning to Norman, Okla., for the first time since being hospitalized there after a car crash in November.
• This is more than just one game. The Big 12's pride is on the line when Texas plays Nebraska, writes Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman.
• The reason behind Missouri defensive tackle Terrell Resonno's success? It's all in the visor, writes Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune.
• Texas Tech is losing some depth at defensive end. After suspending Scott Smith for the season last week, freshman end Aundrey Barr is out for the season with a knee injury.
• Baylor's blog has a few things about this week's game you won't find in the game notes.
• Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon has a special relationship with a young leukemia-stricken girl, writes Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman. And here's a happy birthday to his quarterback, Brandon Weeden, who turns 27 today.
• Colorado defensive end Marquez Herrod has been nominated for a courage award.
• Elsewhere in Boulder, the Buffs are prepared to trot out a starting kicker on Saturday who has never played in a college football game, writes the Daily Camera's Kyle Ringo.
• Look for the Longhorns to throw the ball against Nebraska, writes Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

So, the season's like seven hours away. That's pretty good.

• The mother of suspended Missouri running back Derrick Washington says she was told her son would be welcomed back to the program if he cleared his name in the legal process, reports Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star.
• The Star's Sam Mellinger says the ghost of Ricky Clemons led the Tigers to boot Washington off the team too early.
• Text messages from his coaches helped motivate Texas' new starting running back Cody Johnson to improve his fitness over the summer, writes Laken Litman of the Dallas Morning News.
• Iowa State's defense knows it'll be facing a challenge in Northern Illinois running back Chad Spann tonight, writes Kelly Beaton of the Cedar Falls Courier.
• Despite shifting quarterbacks often, the exchange with the center hasn't been a problem at Nebraska.
• The drug charge looming over Oklahoma State safety Victor Johnson has been dropped.
• Colorado defensive end Marquez Herrod remembers the Colorado State players who celebrated on the field last season after their win. And he's not happy about it, writes Tom Kensler of The Denver Post.
• Ax those rumors about a matchup with newly independent BYU for the Red Raiders, reports Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas will get all the carries he can handle this season, reports austin Meek of the Topeka Capital-Journal.
• Tyrell Higgins is part of an elite group at Texas after leaving the team, coming back as a walk-on, re-earning his scholarship and now becoming a starter at defensive tackle, reports Alan Trubow of the Austin American-Statesman.
• For Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin, the wait is almost over, writes Brice Cherry of the Waco Tribune-Herald.
• Kansas is ready to step into one of the toughest Septembers in school history, writes J. Brady McCollough of the Kansas City Star.
• Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller would like the last laugh after a light-hearted preseason, writes Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News.

Two of the best team names from my fantasy league from college that drafted last night: Texas Chainsaw Massaquoi and Matt Schaub Lob Blog, the rare, seamless intersection of football and Arrested Development.

My weak effort: 2nd That Emo Shonn. Despite the Motown/Smokey Robinson love, I'm frustrated and ashamed.

• Missouri athletic director Mike Alden says the timing of running back Derrick Washington's incident didn't affect the team's awareness of it, reports Joe Walljasper of the Columbia Daily Tribune. Coach Gary Pinkel and Alden acted once they got "credible information."
• Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald offers up his predictions for an emotional final season in the Big 12 for Nebraska. Good stuff here.
• Nothing's mysterious about Daniel Thomas, on or off the field, writes Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle.
• Missouri defensive back Munir Prince is up walking after suffering a serious injury in practice on Thursday.
• By October 14, quarterback Brandon Weeden's 27th birthday, he'll be known more for his production and less for his age, writes John Helsley of The Oklahoman.
• The Denver Post's Woody Paige tells the touching story of Colorado defensive end Marquez Herrod.
• Freshmen don't redshirt as much as they once did. Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman examines the growing phenomenon in major college football of playing freshmen right away.
• Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Stateman thinks Mack Brown has something up his sleeve. Namely, a national title contender.
• J. Brady McCollough of the Kansas City Star answers the question: Who is Turner Gill? He is many things but at Kansas one thing sticks out: different.
• Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is coaching against the odds, but there are precedents for coaches who have revived careers with backs against the wall, writes Kyle Ringo of the Boulder Daily Camera.
• Is housing college football teams in hotels the night before home games worth the cost? The Des Moines Register's Randy Peterson examines the issue.
• John Werner of the Waco Tribune-Herald points to the five biggest developments in fall camp.
• Mike Sherman has endeared himself to Aggies fans, embracing what makes the school special. That's something his predecessor never did, writes Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Here's a few Buffaloes with relatively low profiles around the conference who you'll be hearing from in 2010.

Toney Clemons, WR

So what if we've talked about him plenty here? You should get to know the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver and Michigan transfer. After topping out at 11 receptions and 101 yards as a sophomore at Michigan, he still has to prove his potential and produce. His teammates made him the first pick of the spring game, so clearly they don't need much more convincing. But he's one of three nice additions to the Colorado receiving corps alongside Scotty McKnight, joining UCLA and USC transfers Paul Richardson and Travon Patterson, respectively.

Will Pericak, DT

Pericak (pre-check) started last year and made 39 tackles as the run-clogger for the Buffaloes, adding a pair of sacks and five tackles for loss. Alongside defensive end Marquez Herrod, he'll try to improve on both of those numbers as a sophomore. He possesses nice size at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, but if Colorado is going to improve its rush defense, which ranked ninth in the Big 12 last season, he'll have to be a bigger contributor in 2010.

Nick Kasa, DE

He still has to earn playing time at defensive end, but if he can make it on the field, he'll get a chance to show the potential that made him the nation's No. 17 defensive end in the 2009 class. Kasa chose to stay home in Colorado over playing for Florida, where he originally committed. His debut season was derailed by a torn MCL and missed time because of mono, but he'll try to improve on his underwhelming two tackles as a freshman. If he can stay healthy, he should help a Colorado pass rush that sacked quarterbacks just 27 times in 2009, ninth-most in the Big 12.

More Fresh Faces:

• Texas Tech
• Texas A&M
• Texas
• Oklahoma State
• Oklahoma
• Nebraska
• Missouri
• Kansas State
  
• Kansas
• Iowa State
  

2009 overall record: 3-9

2009 conference record: 2-6

Returning starters: Offense (8), Defense (7) P/K (1)

Top returners: QB Tyler Hansen, WR Scotty McKnight, RB Rodney Stewart, OT Nate Solder, DB Anthony Perkins, WR Markques Simas, DB Jalil Brown

Key losses: TE Riar Geer, RB Darrell Scott (transfer), DB Cha’pelle Brown, LB Jeff Smart, DB Benjamin Burney, LB Marcus Burton

2009 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Rodney Stewart* (804 yards)

Passing: Tyler Hansen* (1,440)

Receiving: Scotty McKnight* (893 yards)

Tackles: Anthony Perkins*, Jeff Smart (77)

Sacks: Marquez Herrod* (6.5)

Interceptions: Benjamin Burney (2)

Three spring answers

1. Get to know Toney Clemons. The Michigan transfer made a big splash this spring, impressing his team enough to be the top pick in the draft when the Buffaloes split for the spring game. Clemons has size and speed, but 2010 will be about turning that into on-field production.

2. Stars staying strong. Colorado’s two most consistent players a year ago, offensive tackle Nate Solder and running back Rodney Stewart, both had good springs. Stewart was protected from contact often with dwindling numbers at running back, but Solder caught a touchdown pass in the spring game after being drafted with the No. 2 pick before the game.

3. Hawkins’ future not a distraction. Dan Hawkins will sit on maybe the hottest seat in the Big 12 this season, but he didn’t address it much during the spring as his team went about its business.

Three fall questions

1. Who’s the quarterback? After taking over for Cody Hawkins last season and finishing the year as the starter, most figured the job was all but Tyler Hansen’s entering spring. But Hawkins insists there’s a competition and that Hawkins and Hansen remain thinly separated. Colorado fans won’t be happy initially if Hawkins starts, but if he produces and the Buffs win a few games, few will be complaining. Some think the team would be better suited by naming a starter now and allowing him to embrace a leadership role over the summer. Hawkins wants competition.

2. Who’s catching the ball? Clemons will be a factor, but Colorado could end up having one of the conference’s most underrated corps of receivers in Clemons, along with last year’s leading receiver Scotty McKnight and Markques Simas. Kyle Cefalo could also be a player that emerges this fall after catching 12 balls for 144 yards in the spring game.

3. Can the Buffaloes defense improve? Colorado had the second-worst defense in the Big 12 last season, and with an underwhelming offense, it’s no surprise they won only three games. Defensive back Cha’Pelle Brown was the only Colorado player to make the All-Big 12 top two teams, and he graduated. Outside of Anthony Perkins, Colorado is replacing its top four tacklers and needs playmakers to emerge to improve on its 2009 season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Colorado freshman Nick Kasa will be idled for at least three weeks with a torn MCL in his left knee.

The injury will more likely sideline the Buffaloes' top 2009 recruit for 6-8 weeks, although team officials still hold out hope the injury might not be as severe as originally diagnosed.

Kasa told the Denver Post that surgery remains a possibility, but that also won't be determined until the swelling goes down.

"It's definitely a pretty bad setback for me," Kasa told reporters Wednesday morning as he watched the practice with his injured knee immobilized. "I want to play. I think everybody wants to play. I just have to take it in stride and do what I can to get back as fast as I can."

If the injury stretches out through four or more weeks, a redshirt could be likely for the 6-foot-7, 270-pound Kasa. He was in the mix for immediate playing time after coming into the program as the most heralded addition in Colorado's 2009 recruiting class.

The injury occurred during a two-man pass rush drill when an offensive guard blocking the other defensive player unintentionally rolled into Kasa's left side. Kasa told the Denver Post he didn't see it coming.

"The last week, I really started to catch on to things. Everything was going good in practice," Kasa told the Post. "I've got to be out now, especially for CSU (the Buffaloes' Sept. 6 opener at Folsom Field). I really wanted to play in that game. I just have to stay positive."

Marquez Herrod is expected to be the starting defensive end on the other side. Sophomores Conrad Obi and LaGrone Shields have the inside track for playing time, followed by sophomore David Goldberg and freshman Nick O'Neill.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Colorado Buffaloes 2008 overall record: 5-7 2008 conference record: 2-6 Returning starters Offense: 9, defense: 6, kicker/punter: 1 Top returners QB Cody Hawkins, RB Darrell Scott, WR-KR Josh Smith, DE Marquez Herrod, LB Jeff Smart, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Benjamin Burney. Key losses WR Patrick Williams, C Daniel Sanders, DT George Hypolite, NT Brandon Nicolas, LB Brad Jones. 2008 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: Rodney Stewart* (622 yards) Passing: Cody Hawkins* (1,892 yards) Receiving: Scotty McKnight* (519 yards) Tackles: Jeff Smart * (118) Sacks: Brad Jones (7) Interceptions: Ryan Walters, Shaun Mohler *, Cha'pelle Brown* (2) Spring answers 2009 Schedule Sept. 5 Colorado State Sept. 11 at Toledo Sept. 19 Wyoming Oct. 1 at West Virginia Oct. 10 at Texas Oct. 17 Kansas Oct. 24 at Kansas State Oct. 31 Missouri Nov. 7 Texas A&M Nov. 14 at Iowa State Nov. 19 at Oklahoma State Nov. 27 Nebraska 1. Running backs: Darrell Scott struggled with injuries all season long in a disappointing freshman season. Rodney Stewart picked up the slack before he sustained a broken leg late in the season. Both looked strong during the spring along with Demetrius Sumler and Brian Lockridge -- a group that helped the Buffaloes produce 270 rushing yards in the spring game. 2. Growth in the secondary: The Buffaloes had to find three new starters this spring. Jimmy Smith showed flashes of being a lockdown cornerback, and safeties Patrick Mahnke and Anthony Perkins look ready to immediately battle for starting positions in fall practice. 3. Offensive line finally healthy: Call this one of the team's most underrated strengths after the strong spring development of tackles Nate Solder and Bryce Givens, guard Ryan Miller and center Mike Iltis. This group could potentially be the North Division's best if it can remain healthy. Fall questions 1. Who will play quarterback? Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen finished the spring in a virtual dead heat. The development of Hansen will be set back after he underwent surgery after breaking his thumb in the spring. And the position is further scrambled after the departure of coordinator Mark Helfrich for Oregon after the spring. Eric Kiesau was hired quickly to replace him, but a new coach is involved with an uncertain mix of players. Not a good sign. 2. Find some receivers: Scotty McKnight's spring injury gave the backups a chance to play. Markques Simas showed some flashes of cracking the rotation, and arriving players like Andre Simmons, Terdema Ussery and Jarrod Darden will have plenty of chances to crack the rotation when fall practice starts. Or, it could be a couple of walk-on receivers jumping into their place. 3. Unsettled defensive front: The Buffaloes will really miss the contributions of players like George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas in the trenches. Coaches spent most of the spring tinkering with a 3-4 front, but aren't sure if it will fit their current personnel. Colorado will need big contributions from sophomore nose tackle Eugene Goree, senior defensive tackle Taj Kaynor and junior defensive end Marquez Herrod to help fill the gaps.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Colorado came into the spring as the North Division's mystery team.

Sure, coach Dan Hawkins had plenty of bluster and bravado about how good he thinks his team will be this season. We can tell that by his surprising boast at the end of last season that the Buffaloes will finish 2009 with a 10-2 record.

After the Buffaloes' spring practice and spring game, I'm even more befuddled by how good the Buffaloes can be.

The injury and subsequent thumb surgery for Tyler Hansen scrambles the quarterback situation. It makes me think that Hansen's battle with Cody Hawkins for the starting job will play out during most of Colorado preseason camp. And it's interesting that Dan Hawkins has hinted it could be a similar situation as to late last season, when he alternated his son and Hansen depending on game situations.

An even more pressing concern will be the status of offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, who could be headed for Oregon and a place on Chip Kelly's staff. The loss of an offensive coordinator after spring practice could have huge ramifications as Dan Hawkins tries to get his staff ready for the upcoming season.

But the Buffaloes showed some good signs in spring practice and the spring game that might indicate they will be vastly improved from last season's 5-7 team -- even if 10-2 might be a little bit of a stretch.

• The strong running game exhibited in the spring game was the most impressive building block to carry away from the spring. The Buffaloes should be in good shape if they can keep their offensive line healthy. And as Darrell Scott told me last week, the Buffaloes might have the best rotation of running backs this side of Oklahoma. And they proved it in Saturday's spring game as Scott rushed for a game-high 90 yards, while Demetrius Sumler chipped in with 73 yards, Brian Lockridge added 55 and Rodney "Speedy" Stewart produced 52.
• Scott has started living up to his advance billing with a strong camp after missing much of last season with injuries. But he emerged this spring as the most improved player on the team, earning the Fred Casotti Award given each spring for the most improved offensive back. He even contributed a 48-yard punt during the spring game.

Hawkins was pleased with Scott's strong spring production, where he finally started showing flashes of what made him the nation's No. 1 running back recruit in the 2008 recruiting class.

"He's always been such a great kid, and I've been so impressed with how he handled all the hype and the glitz and all the glimmer," Hawkins told reporters Saturday. "And things didn't go exactly like he wanted them necessarily last year. But he never threw in a towel, he continued to show up."

If he continues that growth, it wouldn't surprise me if Scott rushes for 1,000 yards this season and is the most improved player in the Big 12.

• Colorado's offensive line should be one of its most underrated strengths. They helped the backs rush for an average of 6.2 yards per carry in the spring game. Sure it was against a defensive front that was playing a generic defense. But that yardage has to catch Hawkins' attention for what his ground game can produce.

I still think the underrated Colorado group that is keyed by tackles Bryce Givens and Nate Solder, guard Ryan Miller and center Mike Iltis can be the best in the North Division if it stays healthy. And that's not even considering a potential return by Max Tuioti-Mariner, who is recovering from knee surgery and might be ready by fall practice.

• I'm still wondering if the Buffaloes have the kind of quarterbacking to contend for the North Division title. Hawkins and Hansen provide different talents. And while in theory it sounds good to say that you'll play both of them, a team really needs to have one starting quarterback it can count on. What's that old coach's cliche about two starting quarterbacks often end up being two too many?
• Wide receiver remains a liability after the injury to Scotty McKnight earlier in camp. The Buffaloes had one experienced receiver available at the spring game and it showed.

It means that Hawkins has to hope he can convince Michigan transfer Toney Clemons to come to play for the Buffaloes as well as work heralded sophomore Markques Simas into the rotation. And it also will likely result in the immediate need for production from an underrated group of arriving wide receivers including Jarrod Darden, Terdema Ussery and Andre Simmons. There is playing time available if any of those arriving players can step up.

• The defensive line remains a big concern, even as coaches spent must of the scrimmage tinkering with a 3-4 front. But the productions of three starters won't be enough to replace the contributions of key players like George Hypolite & Co. overnight. Experienced players like junior defensive end Marquez Herrod, senior defensive tackle Taj Kaynor and sophomore nose tackle Eugene Goree will be pivotal.
• Linebacker Marcus Burton was the biggest defensive revelation this spring and he showed it in the spring game. After producing eight tackles last season, he notched that many in the spring game along with a pair of sacks. That playmaking will be critical for a Colorado defense that often has missed it. His sideline-to-sideline tackling ability will be huge if Colorado employs the 3-4 defense.
• Even with all of the flux around the Colorado team, the rest of the North Division remains just as unsettled.

For all of the excitement at Nebraska, the Cornhuskers still will be counting on a quarterback who has never started a Division I game, throwing to two new wide receivers. Kansas has the most returning offensive talent but has to rebuild its defensive core after losing three starting linebackers. And the Jayhawks have that pesky South Division crossover schedule that features games against Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.

Defending two-time title game participant Missouri has two new coordinators and must replace the most productive quarterback, wide receiver and tight end in its history. The Tigers also lose a first-round NFL draft pick at defensive tackle, a second-round NFL draft pick at strong safety who was the glue of their defense and their top pass-rushing defensive end.

And here's one more reason to like Colorado's chances a little bit more. Their games against Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri all will be played in Boulder. That edge playing in the high altitude at Folsom Field might be enough to boost the Buffaloes into North Division title contention for the first time in Hawkins' coaching tenure there -- despite all of the spring questions.