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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Colorado ('98: 8-4, 4-4 Big 12)
Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 05:10 PM
The Plot
The scene: Main Street, Boulder, sun directly ahead, TUMBLEWEEDS cross. Enter RICK NEUHEISEL stage left, dressed in black, half-spent cigar hanging loosely from his mouth. Enter GARY BARNETT, stage left, dressed in white. Barnett squints and slowly grinds out, "This town ain't big enough for both of us, pahdnah." Now Barnett must turn a once-perennial national championship contender into the real McCoy.
The DirectorGary Barnett -- first season; 43-56-2 overall
StarringOG Ryan Johanningmeier -- The most versatile lineman in the league, Barnett will rely heavily on him to keep Moschetti safe in the pocket.QB Mike Moschetti -- With numerous injuries to his offensive line last season, Moschetti got thrown around like a rag doll, but with the advent of a more consistent running game, Moschetti will show why he's one of the league's top two quarterbacks. LB Jashon Sykes -- First season as a starter but everybody knows what he can do. Co-starringCB Ben Kelly -- One of just seven players to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in one game, Kelly also owns the school's single-season record for passes broken up (22).CB Damen Wheeler -- It's a good sign when 17 passes broken up is second on your team. WR Marcus Stiggers -- Heir apparent to the Buffalo wide-receiver legacy.
Why it will workBarnett turned a talent-thin Northwestern team into a Big 10 champion, and in Boulder talent is about as plentiful as snow.Why it won'tIt's difficult to employ a run-based offense without a prime-time running back. Anybody have Darnell Autry's number?
Our critics' review**** |
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