Before last season’s 5-6 record, the Colorado Buffaloes had gone 12 seasons without a losing record and eight seasons without a final ranking outside the top 25.

Head Coach Rick Neuheisel knew the team would have to show improvement in 1998. He knew another sub-.500 season would not be acceptable.

The Buffaloes will finish 1998 with a winning record because they’re an improved team and they’ve played the likes of Fresno State and Utah State.

One of very few primary passing teams in the Big 12, Colorado has relied on the arm of junior college transfer Mike Moschetti to lead it this season.

Moschetti has completed 57.7 percent of his passes for 1,806 yards and 12 touchdowns so far. He’s currently rated No. 34 in the nation in pass efficiency (130.6 rating) and No. 42 in total offense (202.44 yards per game).

Veteran receivers Darrin Chiaverini, Javon Green and Marcus Stiggers have been Moschetti’s biggest targets so far, combining for 1,180 yards and nine TDs.

Chiaverini has 580 of those yards himself and currently ranks 43rd in the nation and second in the Big 12 in receptions.

Despite the fact that Colorado’s strength is its passing game, they’re currently ranked only 56th in the nation in passing offense.

This is still well above its running game, though, which is ranked a dismal 101 of 112 Division 1A schools.

Junior tailback Dwayne Cherrington has been the most consistent rusher, and he has only 313 total yards, two touchdowns and an average of 3.3 yards per carry.

Senior Marlon Barnes has made better use of his carries, but he’s seen the ball far less than Cherrington.

To make a bad situation worse, both have been injured throughout the season. This weekend, the Buffaloes may be relying upon sophomore Damion Barton and redshirt freshman Cortlen Johnson, both of whom have performed adequately in recent weeks.

Part of the problem for Colorado’s offense is a Buffalo line that can’t seem to open holes and fails repeatedly to protect its quarterback.

Injuries have slowed the already young line that looked in the beginning to rely upon returners Adam Reed and Ryan Johanningmeier.

The only reason that Colorado has been able to put together a 6-3 record so far is a solid defense. Ranked 10th in the nation against the pass and 21st overall, the Buffalo defense has consistently held opponents to under 150 yards in the air and 300 total yards.

The biggest defensive leaders are in the Buffalo backfield, corners Damen Wheeler and Marcus Washington. Safeties John Sanders and Rashidi Barnes have also been solid but have been prone to injury so far this year.

At linebacker, the Buffaloes have relied upon Hannibal Navies, Ty Gregorak, Terrell Cade and Brandon Southward.

Against the run, Colorado hasn’t been nearly as successful, surrendering an average of 155.9 yards per game.

The defensive line, consisting of ends Fred Jones and Brady McDonnell and tackles Sean Jarne and Jesse Warren, was up to task the first few weeks of the season but has gotten consistently worse as the season wears on.

They haven’t held a team under 170 yards rushing since beating Baylor in week four.

Oklahoma ran for 171 yards, followed by a 184-yard performance by Kansas State and a 175-yard performance by Texas Tech.

Two weeks ago, Kansas tailback David Winbush exploded for 268 rushing yards against the Buffaloes, and Devin West, Corby Jones and the Missouri Tigers managed 282 yards last week.

Special teams have been adequate for the Buffaloes.

Jeremy Aldrich, considered one of the nation’s top 10 kickers, has 62 points so far but has already missed five of 20 field goal attempts.

Punter Nick Pietsch has averaged 42.11 yards per kick so far, good enough for the No. 31 national ranking.

Reserve wideout Ben Kelly has been handling most of the Buffalo returns and has responded with a 23.7-yard average on kickoffs.

Overall, the Buffaloes have put together a better season than 1997 but have been struggling in recent weeks and may be able to turn a 5-0 start into a 6-5 finish.