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1 – Colorado: Last season, Colorado finished second in total passing points, one hundred fifteenth in rushing, and eleventh in defense. The passing success was entirely tied to Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Sanders threw for over four thousand yards while Hunter played both sides of the ball at a Heisman level and turned short passes into explosive plays. Those two are gone, and that means Colorado is not the same offense.
Now Kaidon Salter steps in. He had success at Liberty but this is a major jump in competition. The offensive line gave up more than three sacks per game last year and has not improved enough to give me any confidence. The rushing attack was a complete non-factor, and unless Salter becomes a one-man show, I do not expect that to change.
The defense should still be solid. It was the most consistent part of the team last season and I expect it to remain inside the top twenty. But Squad Blitz is about flexibility. I want teams that give me options every week. If I can only trust Colorado on one side of the ball, I would rather draft someone else. The upside is gone and the floor is low if the defense regresses even slightly.
2 – Syracuse: Let me start by saying I like the Fran Brown hire. I think he is going to turn Syracuse into a consistent program. But that does not mean I am drafting them this year. They have too many unknowns and not enough upside.
Last season, Syracuse finished fourth in passing points, but that was with Kyle McCord and Trebor Pena leading the way. Both are gone. The new group includes Steve Angeli, Justus Ross-Simmons, and Johntay Cook. There is some promise in that group but I would still take last year’s version in a heartbeat. The offense was already top-heavy, and this new version is less proven.
The rushing attack finished eighty-seventh in scoring and never felt reliable. The defense finished eighty-fifth and gave up too many big plays. Without McCord and Pena, this team is finding its identity on both side of the ball. And the schedule is brutal. Syracuse faces Tennessee, Clemson, Miami, Notre Dame, and SMU. Those games make it hard to trust this team for passing or defense, let alone both.
Even if the new offense comes together late in the year, you are stuck guessing when to start them. In a format like Squad Blitz, where you are picking weekly matchups, that kind of uncertainty is a killer. I am staying away.
3 – Tennessee: Tennessee was one of the most reliable teams in Squad Blitz last season, finishing thirty ninth in passing, seventh in rushing, and eighth in defense. This year, they come with too many unknowns. Nico Iamaleava is at UCLA, Dylan Sampson is in the NFL, and four offensive line starters are gone. Only Lance Heard returns up front. Joey Aguilar transfers in with experience, but he missed spring practice and steps into a new system with limited continuity. Chris Brazzell II and Miles Kitselman are back, but the wide receiver group is still a question. Mike Matthews has breakout potential, but with only seven catches last year, it is too early to project him as a weekly contributor.
Defensively, Tennessee loses its most dominant piece in James Pearce Jr., now in the NFL. While there is still talent returning, this is no longer the elite unit from last year. Without a dependable offense and with a defense that may take a step back, Tennessee does not offer enough value or versatility to be a strong Squad Blitz option. I am passing unless something changes early in the season.
Final Thoughts
In Squad Blitz, versatility is everything. You want teams that give you real options each week. These three teams just do not have that. Colorado has no offense. Syracuse has no reliable side of the ball. Tennessee has a strong defense but nothing else you can trust yet.
Could one of them surprise? Sure. But I am not taking that chance when there are safer, more complete teams available. Draft smart. Draft flexible. And make sure to click Walk-On Redshirts as your referral when you sign up for Squad Blitz. We will be giving weekly tips and hosting competitions all season long.
