Brooks: Buffs, Beavers Could Produce Torrent Of Points

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Saturday's infallible forecast here calls for wind, cloudy skies, temperatures in the mid-60s, a high likelihood of rain and the very real possibility of a Pac-12 Conference shootout - weather permitting.

Oregon State's and Colorado's offenses average 41.0 and 39.5 points, respectively, while their defenses are allowing 35.2 and 25.5 points. Just guessing, but if somebody manages a stop or two, that somebody probably wins. Then again, given the weather forecast, who knows?

There are no guarantees for either the Beavers or the Buffaloes, but CU quarterback Connor Wood is taking a well-grounded approach to the prospect of an arm-to-arm duel with OSU's Sean Mannion.

"As a quarterback you just go play-by-play and not worry about anything else," said Wood, who like Mannion is stationed among the top five QBs nationally in passing yards per game (Mannion is at 401.0, Wood at 370.5). "At the same time you understand that they have a good offense. When we score you can't get too high on yourself because they might get ball back and go right down and score . . . you've got to be ready for a quick turnaround."

"But," added Wood, "I'm confident in our defense; they've played very well the past two games. Yeah, you can't just celebrate . . . you might be back on the field in a couple of plays."

Wood and the Buffs welcome the opportunity to simply be back on the field. "I feel like it's camp again," cornerbacks coach Andy LaRussa said earlier this week. "I don't care who we play, but yeah, I'm anxious to get into the Pac-12 and see how we match up in one of the best conferences in the country. Just that challenge week in and week out is going to be good."

Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, CU hasn't played since Sept. 7. So the burning question in Buffsville and now in Beaverland is how will CU react to its 21-day break between games?

Calm down, say the Buffs, we'll be just fine.

"It can only help us," said senior safety Parker Orms of the long and unprecedented regular-season hiatus. "Starting camp and going right into the season, guys got banged up. Three weeks off - that's got to help your body. I know mine's feeling better. But I think it's going to help us. We've practiced a lot on (Oregon State), two weeks so that will help us out."

The Buffs are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2008, but since that season ended the CU football program has won only twice in 27 road trips. Ironically, both of those wins came under deposed coach Jon Embree, whose 2011 team won 17-14 at Utah and 2012 squad rallied for a 35-34 victory at Washington State. It was last season's only win against 11 losses, and Embree was replaced by Mike MacIntyre.

Now, Wood believes the Buffs are better prepared for the perils of the road under their new coach. "Road games are very, very important for us," Wood said. "In the past it's not been good for us on the road. But with coach MacIntyre and our new leadership, I think they're going to get us out of that cycle. When we go on the road I think we're going to be even more intense and focused instead of playing on our heels. It's an attitude, a mindset."

It also helps the Buffs to hit the road with players like Paul Richardson, the FBS leader in receiving yards per game (208.5). He's caught four of Woods' passes for touchdowns, including a conference-long 82-yarder. But right behind "P-Rich" on the national pitch-and-catch chart is Oregon State's Brandin Cooks, who averages 159.8 receiving yards and has snared seven of Mannion's passes for TDs.

Did we mention this could be a look-to-the-skies shootout?

Yet a key for both teams in Reser Stadium on Saturday (1 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Network) will be discovering a running game to help work the clock and keep that other QB off the field. Neither OSU's nor CU's ground work has excelled thus far, but in light of the expected conditions this would be the day to get a running game revved up. The Beavers are averaging a conference-worst 55.0 ground yards a game, the Buffs are No. 10 at 96.5. And OSU is expected to be without top tailback Storm Woods, who is out indefinitely with a concussion.

Paltry stats or injury reports don't matter, said CU cornerback Kenneth Crawley: "We always have to respect the run . . . that's how we go into every game."

Just as critical as the run game for both teams, though, is rushing the passer. In August, OSU's O-line featured four returning starters but that number now has dwindled to two. Missing are right guard Roman Sapolu and right tackle Grant Enger, which might benefit CU defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe and his fellow frontmen in generating a better pass rush.

The Beavers have a solid defensive front, anchored by ends Dylan Wynn (6-2, 260) and Scott Crichton (6-3, 265). Said Wood: "Oregon State is really good up front . . . they got active defensive ends, very athletic." Wynn and Crichton have accounted for 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, with Crichton getting six of the tackles and 1.5 QB sacks.

Wood was sacked four times by Central Arkansas in CU's most recent game, while Mannion has been sacked four times in four games. The Buffs' 'D' has registered three sacks in two games, the Beavers 11 in their four.

This is CU's first trip under MacIntyre, and his approach to a road game mirrors his detailed approach in virtually all things. "I think the primary aspect is they have to go with a mindset that it's not a trip, its business," he said. "You always hear coaches say it's a business trip but you're going there with one thing in mind and one thing only - win the football game. You have to understand that . . . the way we travel and the things we do and the way we meet all work towards that."

Wood called MacIntyre "a very detail-oriented guy" and said that in Thursday's practice he "cranked up the intensity and told us to really get the focus going."

MacIntyre already is dialed in. When Thursday's practice ended and his team huddled around him, he asked everyone except his players, his nine full-time assistant coaches and his strength/conditioning and training staffs to back away. Then he spoke to that group for a little over five minutes, undoubtedly underscoring everything Wood said about intensity and sharper focus on the road.

Will it be enough to restore the Buffs' edge and offset a 21-day break between games?

"We'll see on Saturday," Wood said, "but I feel very prepared and I think our team feels very prepared to get back into the speed of the game. Absolutely, I'm ready to play."

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU