After two games, these Buffs have not displayed any semblance of such a defense. Rather, they have looked disturbingly like the Buffs of the last two years, teams that seemed content to put the burden on the offense. Last week's offensive explosion was barely enough to camouflage a defense that is still suspect. While CU's co-coordinators spoke bravely of improvement, in their hearts they weren't fooled. They know another effort like that today could result in lightning striking twice, with the bolt being delivered by KU running back David Winbush.
Nobody expects the Buffs to turn into an impenetrable wall overnight.
But if at least some definite signs of improvement aren't on display today, it will be a disheartening message for fans who are looking into the future. Certainly, the schedule doesn't get any easier. Directly ahead on the horizon are the Washington Huskies. If anyone knows how to exploit Colorado's defensive deficiencies, it will be the man whose poor recruiting created them in the first place. Always with an eye on offense first and defense only as an afterthought, Rick Neuheisel's recruiting left Colorado with an abundance of small defensive backs and a dearth of depth in the trenches.