How the Northern Colorado Bears Football Team Can Improve Their 2023 Season Performance

As I sit here reviewing game footage from the Northern Colorado Bears' 2023 preseason, I can't help but draw parallels to that memorable boxing sequence where Suarez's powerful left opened a gash that left Navarrete bloodied for the remainder of their 12-round bout. The Bears' current situation reminds me of that moment - they're bleeding points and momentum in critical situations, and unless they address these fundamental flaws, their 2023 season could become another disappointing campaign. Having analyzed college football programs for over fifteen years, I've seen how small adjustments can transform entire teams, and I genuinely believe the Bears have the raw material to surprise everyone this year.

Let's talk about the offensive line first, because honestly, this is where games are won and lost. Last season, the Bears allowed 38 sacks - that's nearly three per game - and their rushing offense ranked 115th out of 128 FCS programs. These numbers are frankly unacceptable if they want to compete in the Big Sky Conference. I've watched their linemen during spring practices, and the technical flaws are evident: poor footwork, delayed reactions, and most concerning, a lack of coordinated movement. The Suarez-Navarrete comparison comes to mind here - just as one well-placed punch can change a fight, one weak link on the offensive line can dismantle an entire drive. I'm particularly concerned about their left tackle position, where they're replacing a four-year starter. The new guy has potential, but he's getting beaten consistently by speed rushers in practice. They need to implement more double-team schemes and rollouts to protect him while he develops, otherwise quarterbacks Dylan McCaffrey and Jacob Sirmon will be running for their lives every Saturday.

The defensive secondary is another area that keeps me up at night. Last season, they allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 64% of passes and gave up 28 passing touchdowns. These aren't just bad numbers - they're program-defining problems that require immediate attention. I spoke with defensive coordinator Preston Hadley last month, and he acknowledged the communication breakdowns that plagued them throughout 2022. Watching their coverage schemes, I noticed they're often too predictable in their zone looks, and their cornerbacks play too far off receivers on critical downs. They need to incorporate more press coverage and disguised blitz packages to keep quarterbacks guessing. Honestly, I'd love to see them take more risks - sometimes you need to throw that strategic punch, like Suarez did, to disrupt your opponent's rhythm even if it means occasionally getting caught out of position.

Special teams might not be glamorous, but it's where hidden games are won. The Bears ranked near the bottom of the FCS in both punt return average and kickoff coverage last season. Their field goal unit converted only 72% of attempts, which cost them at least two winnable games. I've always believed special teams reflect a program's attention to detail, and right now, the Bears are missing the little things. They need to dedicate more practice time to situational special teams work and consider using starting players on coverage units. I know coaches worry about injury risks, but the emotional lift from a big special teams play can be worth that calculated risk.

Player development is where I see the most potential for immediate improvement. The Bears have several talented underclassmen who saw significant action last season but seemed to hit the infamous "freshman wall." Take running back Elijah Dotson - he showed flashes of brilliance early but faded as the season progressed. The strength and conditioning staff needs to focus on building second-half endurance through more intense fourth-quarter simulation drills. I'd also implement more mental conditioning work because I've seen how psychological fatigue leads to physical mistakes during crucial moments. The best programs develop not just athletes but complete football players who can maintain focus and technique when exhausted.

Looking at their schedule, I count at least five games that could go either way based on these adjustments. The season opener against Idaho State will tell us everything we need to know about whether they've addressed these issues. If they can establish offensive line dominance early and create turnovers defensively, they could easily surpass last year's 3-8 record. I'm predicting they'll finish 6-5 if they make these corrections, maybe even 7-4 if they catch a few breaks. The foundation is there - they just need to stop the bleeding and start throwing some strategic punches of their own. Like that boxing match where Suarez changed the fight's dynamic with one well-executed move, the Bears need to identify their opponents' vulnerabilities and exploit them systematically. This team has been down for several seasons, but I sense something different building in Greeley - call it intuition from years of observing programs at turning points. The 2023 season could mark the beginning of Northern Colorado's return to relevance, provided they learn to fight smarter, not just harder.