Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer)
As far as senior linebacker Rick Gamboa is concerned, it's defense that wins championships.
By that standard, the Colorado Buffaloes were almost as far from a Pac-12 Conference championship last year as Fairview or Boulder High. Other than the occasional pass breakup from defensive backs Evan Worthington and Isaiah Oliver, who later was a second-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons, Buffs fans often were better off getting a drink refill or taking a restroom break when CU's defense hit the field.
Few are expecting the Buffs' defense to suddenly morph into one of the powers of the Pac-12, like the unit that helped lead CU to the 2016 South Division title.