Colorado Football 2012: LB Doug Rippy Should Be Ready For August Drills

Colorado Buffaloes senior linebacker Doug Rippy should be ready for August drills after recovering from knee surgery, as head coach Jon Embree told Tom Kensler of the Denver Post. Rippy missed spring practice after needing the surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee.

Speaking on the spring Pac-12 football teleconference, Embree noted that Rippy's progress has actually been on schedule.

I just saw him a few minutes ago. He hasn’t had any setbacks or any swelling issues, which is what you kind of get leery about. I anticipate him being back when we get started [with camp in August].

Embree also noted that he has high expectations for Rippy despite the injury.

I am going to be relying a lot on him. He is not just defensively, but he is the team leader. He really is. He is a guy that when he was out there [last season], was a different maker.

The Buffaloes could use some serious improvement on defense after giving up 36.5 points per game last year.

For more on Buffs, stick with SB Nation Denver and head over to Ralphie Report. For more news, notes and analysis from around the country, visit SB Nation's college football news hub.

Colorado Football 2012: Don't Expect QB Shane Dillon To Redshirt, According To Report

The Colorado Buffaloes looked to have gained a starting quarterback in Connor Wood on Saturday following an impressive spring game performance. However, Nick Hirschman is expected to challenge Wood in fall camp when August comes around. We can also expect a freshman quarterback to be in line for some playing time: Shane Dillon, according to the Denver Post.

Of course, things could change over the next four months or so and leave Dillon redshirting this fall. This is a Buffaloes team that is coming off a 3-10 season in 2011 and is replacing many key starters on offense. Dillon could certainly gain playing time during blow outs -- if they happen -- but it's hard to imagine Wood and his non-freshman backups playing ahead of Wood at the moment.

For more on Buffs, stick with SB Nation Denver and head over to Ralphie Report. For more news, notes and analysis from around the country, visit SB Nation's college football news hub.

Colorado Football 2012: Observations From Spring Game

On Saturday, the Colorado Buffaloes played their 2012 spring game in front of thousands of fans, giving them a chance to see some of the team's newest players. Over at Ralphie Report, SB Nation's Buffaloes blog, Jon Woods has a series of observations from the game.

Woods noted that running back Josh Ford once again impressed during the spring this year:

Josh Ford lived up to his reputation as 'Mr. Spring' with a fantastic performance for the second year in a row. Ford, working with the second and third team offenses, finished with 141 total yards and several long runs, including touchdown runs of 43 and 36 yards that each included several broken tackles.

Woods added that Ford was similarly impressive last year before ultimately becoming a non-factor during the regular season, so this may not necessarily be a new Buffaloes star breaking out. Ford wasn't the only player to impress on offense, though, as new QB Connor Wood played well.

His throws displayed a touch and his arm seemed to be able to make the throws. He doesn't throw the tightest spirals but you can tell that he has a quarterback pedigree.

Wood made some mistakes during the scrimmage, as Woods pointed out, but overall it's the kind of beginning that you can build on.

For more on Buffs, stick with SB Nation Denver and head over to Ralphie Report. For more news, notes and analysis from around the country, visit SB Nation's college football news hub.

Colorado Football 2012 Spring Game: Connor Wood Stars As Black Defeats Gold, 35-0

The Colorado Buffaloes played the 2012 spring game on Saturday afternoon with the Black Team dominating the Gold Team, 35-0. That doesn't really tell us much since the team has been unable to work at full capacity. Injuries have reduced the roster.

Texas transfer Connor Wood took the first-team snaps during the game, unable to compete with his real competition: Nick Hirschman, a broken foot keeping him out of spring practice. Wood threw touchdown passes of 13 and 42 yards. He appears to have solidified his hold on the starting quarterback position, but Hirschman is still expected to compete with Wood during fall practice.

Tony Jones has emerged as the future running back who will replace the departed Rodney Stewart. He had just four carries for 23 yards, but Jon Embree has him ahead of Josh Ford, reports the Denver Post. Ford rushed for over 100 yards and picked up two touchdowns (43 and 36 yards).

The crowd at the game was estimated at 7,150.

For more on Buffs, stick with SB Nation Denver and head over to Ralphie Report. For more news, notes and analysis from around the country, visit SB Nation's college football news hub.

Colorado Football Spring Game 2012: Buffaloes Look For Encouraging Signs Amidst Injuries

New faces and old contributors will look to stabilize the Colorado Buffaloes offense as the team deals with injuries to its top wide receiver and quarterback.