Buffs feel like they've got upper hand in move to Pac-12

"And then that helps our defense go out there and play fast and play with an attitude."

Quarterback Tyler Hansen likes that philosophy.

He missed the final month last year after rupturing his spleen on an option play against Texas Tech, and while he'll be careful not to take off and run too much with the Buffs playing 13 straight weeks without a weekend off, he's glad defenses won't be able to just rush the passer all the time.

Hansen is a senior but this is the first time he doesn't have to look over his shoulder to see if Cody Hawkins will be coming in to take his job.

"It's a load off my shoulders," he said.

Embree said that naming him the starter coming into camp not only puts Hansen's mind at ease, but "I think he helps the whole team."

By bolting the Big 12, the Buffs lost their chief rival in Nebraska, which left for the Big Ten.

Embree said there's no replacing the Cornhuskers but he's sure another rivalry will blossom over time.

"We were at ESPN and they had me and (Utah coach) Kyle Whittingham together like we were the new rivals. And I said, 'This is not the old world marriage when you give two goats and a cow and this is your wife and this is your husband,' " Embree said. "We don't do that. So I know something will happen on the field that will make a rivalry for us."