Colorado's Mike MacIntyre: 'I expect us to win this year'

Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre has high expectations for his Buffaloes this year, even if college football prognosticators don't.

MacIntyre believes his Colorado squad is well-positioned do some damage in the ultra-competitive Pac-12 South Division, despite limping to an abysmal 2-10 record in 2014.

"I expect us to win this year, I really do," MacIntyre said at Pac-12 Media Days on Thursday, as reported by Ryan Thorburn of The Register-Guard. "I think we're right there, and definitely could have won a few last year and didn't do it. I feel like our team has matured to that spot."

MacIntyre's effusive optimism appears unfounded, as the Buffaloes play in one of college football's most challenging divisions entering 2015.

The South Division has four teams ranked in the preseason coaches poll, including No. 10 USC and No. 14 UCLA.

The other two ranked programs are No. 16 Arizona State and No. 22 Arizona.

In addition, Colorado is coming off an awful year against conference opponents.

The Buffaloes went 0-9 in Pac-12 play in 2014, though they did manage a few close games, including a 40-37 double-overtime loss to UCLA and a 36-31 defeat at the hands of Oregon State.

Nevertheless, the mood in Boulder remains upbeat.

"Last year we were on what I call the 'almost' category. We almost had it, we almost had it," left tackle Stephane Nembot said. "This year it's just win, period. Finish it. That's what we've got to do. Last year we showed we can compete, this year is just about winning."