Projecting CU's Starting Lineup: Defense and Special Teams

It’s July, the time for conference media days, and the countdown to fall camp.  I am joined for this episode by Brad Geiger and Neil Langland, and we are going to go out on a limb and give you our projected starting lineup for the CU defense and special teams for the 2024 season.

We also take our preview a step further, and discuss how each unit of the defense compares to the rest of the Big 12.

Our criteria:
– Tier One: One of the top four units in the Big 12, capable of taking the Buffs to title contention if the rest of the team is equal to the task;
– Tier Two: 5-8 in the Big 12. A strength, a unit which can help CU to a winning record and a bowl berth;
– Tier Three: 9-12 in the Big 12. A liability, but, if the unit can avoid injury and live up to its potential, can help CU get to a bowl game; and
– Tier Four: 13-16 in the Big 12. A problem area. A unit which might drag CU down to another losing season.

So ... Will the complete overhaul of the CU defensive line be a smashing success? Or ... Will it be a shrug-of-the-shoulders failure? ... Can the deficiencies in the linebacker corps be masked by the upgrades in the rest of defense? ... And, will Travis Hunter, backed by one of the most talented defensive backfields in recent CU history, be able to not only put himself in position for a top draft pick, but also for national post-season awards? 

Let’s find out ...