Colorado Buffaloes
2001 record: 10-3 (7-1)
Coach: Gary Barnett (4th season, 20-16)
Starters returning: 7 offense, 8 defense, 2 kickers

Outlook: After sneaking up on North Division favorites Nebraska and Kansas State a year ago, the Buffaloes will not be a surprise this year -- unless they crater.

Replacing two linemen and a tight end, all of whom earned all-America mention last year, will be the priority on an offense that will center on a trio of offensive backs. Chris Brown, Bobby Purify and Marcus Houston will again rotate at tailback, meaning the Buffs will be able to wear teams down late with the league's best rushing attack. Who will play and when? "Eeney, meeny, miney, mo; It's time for you to go,'' coach Gary Barnett explained.

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The front seven will be the strength of the CU defense, led by inside linebackers Sean Tufts and Drew Wahlroos. Rebuilding the secondary will be a major concern, with two new starters at safety. Senior Donald Strickland should be solid at cornerback after coming back from offseason shoulder surgery.

Two-thirds of the league's best special teams trio -- punter Mark Mariscal and returner Roman Hollowell -- return, leaving kicker Pat Brougham as the question mark.

Key game: Last year's seniors didn't do this year's team any favors in designing the league championship rings. Prominent in the design is a replica of the Folsom Field scoreboard that read CU 62, NU 36, a move that will not sit well with the Huskers, who gave up a school-record in points. They'll get a chance to do something about it on Nov. 29 at Memorial Stadium, where the 'Huskers have won five straight against CU.

Keep an eye on: Junior quarterback Craig Ochs. After a breakout season as a true freshman in 200, Ochs struggled through last year with an ankle injury and post-concussion syndrome, costing him his starting job. Healthy, and backed by a trio of strong running backs, Ochs will have a chance to steal some of the preseason attention from Texas Tech's Kliff Kingsbury, Iowa State's Seneca Wallace and Texas' Chris Simms. The play of transfer receivers Ron Monteilh and D.J. Hackett will be key.

It's a good year if. . . The Buffs make it back to the Big 12 title game. Picked third in the North last year they found themselves after a 41-7 midseason loss at Texas, routed the 'Huskers and then edged the favored Longhorns for the league crown. With Nebraska rebuilding and Kansas State trying to bounce back from a 6-6 season, the Buffs are the North favorite this year.

Mark Wangrin covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.