Coming Soon to Folsom Field

Well, Buffs fans we’ve reached that time of the year when the sun is hot and the annual optimism for a championship team fills the air. That's right, with the fall season just around the corner and the anticipation for a “not so bad” football season already starting to create a buzz of excitement for both students and locals because there’s no better place to be than Boulder Colorado.

After a few anticlimax seasons for the Buffs, a few of their athletic programs have the potential to bring home a title, will this year be the year? Before we get ahead of ourselves though, let's refresh our memories from last season's performances.

Starting with Women’s Volleyball, who finished their overall season 15-14 and in the Pac 12 6-14. The Buffs had a strong start to their season going 9-0, coached by Jesse Mahoney in his sixth season with the University of Colorado. Maya Tabron (Jr), Meegan Hart (Grad Student), Jill Schneggenburger (Sr), and Alexia Knehl (rs. Jr), respectively were the leading scorers for women's volleyball last season. With Covid giving players an additional year of eligibility, the team has also started to incorporate younger teammates and recruits into their lineup such as Jahara Campbell a rising sophomore ending last season with 100 kills.

Overall the team has a lot of promise-keeping most of their important assets for this coming season. The competitive season faceing off against friendly neighborhood rival Denver University who was 23-6, as well as 22-9 University Utah who was ranked 15th in the country last year.

The team's first match will take place during the Buff’s Invitational Friday, August 26th at 10:00 A.M mountain time, where they will first face off against Green Bay University in the tournament.

With the majority of their starters making another appearance this coming season fueled by their disappointing season last year, these buffs are ones to keep up with in the fall.

Next on the list is women's soccer.

After having an average season having eight wins, seven losses and 4 draws, the Buffs have continued the declining record for the last three seasons. With Danny Sanhez going into his 12th season as head coach, maybe this will be the year that his team will come out on top. The team did have a challenging season facing off against the NCAA champions Florida State losing 1-2.

Of course, the team has room to grow, and a lot of potential this season rests on their young roster. Last season rising junior Shyra James led the team with 9 goals out of the 31 and Rachel Rosen was also a rising junior who contributed 2 goals last season. With Shanade Hopcroft graduated, the Buffs will need another offensive weapon not only for scoring but creating opportunities for their teammates.

The biggest challenge for the Buffs this season will be against UCLA and USC placing first and second in the Pac 12 conference. With the season just around the corner, the Buffs have their work cut out for them as the season kickoff approaches. Their first game will take place on August 18th at 4:00 P.M mountain time.

Finally, let's talk about football.

Time after time Buff fans continues to tell themselves the same thing year after year. This year is our year, the year that the Buffs repeat our ancient history of that title we won way back when, and yadah yadah… But the Buffs do have one thing, indistinguishable belief in their time, our team. So why squash a community's hope and undying support for the one thing that brings them together? CU football and its undying traditions have established and kindled the spark that allows everyone to keep believing. And if their marketing team knew what was good for them they'd play that one song by Journey.

First off, the Buffs lost an important offensive asset to the transfer portal this last season, son of renowned Fourtyniner wide receiver Jerry Rice, Brendan Rice who will be playing for the USC trojans. Rice led the team in touchdowns not to mention a large proportion of clutch plays he was able to execute. It's gonna be a tough start to the season attempting to find a player that matches Rice’s IQ and athleticism.

Having the class of 2022 graduated, losing essential leaders for the program, as well as head coach Karl Dorrell entering into his third season, building up his roster now recruiting three of the well I guess five classes, the team now looks for a general on and off the field. This leads buff fans to question whether starting quarterback Brenden Lewis can finally take up the torch now as an upperclassman.

Lewis started for the buffs for all but one game last season and it's safe to say, he had a frustrating season. While the rising junior has yet to find his footing in prior seasons, he has the potential to regain the confidence in himself, his teammates as well as fans will be critical for his career. Simply put, if he trusts his teammates, he needs to make quicker decisions with the ball specifically, and play with more urgency. On that note, specifically on the offensive line, finding other formations to defend blitzes will be crucial.

In the end, though, defense wins championships. Defensive Coordinator Chris Wilson has had to take on the tough role of teaching his squad how to be tough basically. While we can respect their opponent's skills and coaching our offense can’t win games alone which is why coming up with big defensive plays will be critical. And of course, win the kicking game.

The team will have their first home game on September 2nd against Texas Christian University at 8 p.m Mountain time.

The Buffs have their work cut out for them this season and with some shifts in their conference hopefully, they can use it to their advantage. Colorado athletics has always had a strong will and fan base, so this leaves just one question. Will they prevail or will they disappoint?

In the meantime, as we wait, all that's left to say is good luck and Sko Buffs.