Colorado University Athletics
Fast Five: Keys To CU-CSU Game
September 17, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Five areas that will be big factors for the Colorado Buffaloes in Saturday's Rocky Mountain Showdown vs. Colorado State (5 p.m., Sports Authority Field, CBS-SN):
Turnovers/Takeaways: This has been a major point of emphasis for the Buffs' defense since the day fall camp started, and thus far, their work is paying off.
CU's defense has recorded four takeaways this season (three interceptions and a fumble), already matching last year's interception total for the entire season.
It's also been a major point of emphasis this week, and for good reason: CSU has turned the ball over nine times in its first two games. The Rams gave up four fumbles and an interception against Savannah State, then two of each in last weekend's loss to Minnesota.
"That's definitely our focus this week, just like it would be every week," said CU safety Ryan Moeller, who posted a big interception in the the end zone in last Saturday's win over UMass. "Homing in on going after the ball and getting it and making your tackle or knowing your assignment."
Defensively, the Rams have picked off one opposing pass and recovered three fumbles. Colorado has turned the ball over three times (an interception and two fumbles), but did not have a turnover against UMass. The team that protects the ball in this game will have a big edge.
Tackling: While CU's defense has played relatively well in some areas, the Buffs have allowed far too many yards after making initial contact. The biggest example was a 30-yard pass that turned into a 79-yard touchdown against Hawaii, but there were plenty of other examples against UMass, particularly in CU's secondary.
"We have to tackle better than we did last week," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "As you play a little more, you'll tackle better — but we need to definitely tackle better this Saturday."
Of particular concern to the Buffs are wide receivers Rashard Higgins and Joe Hansley and running back Dalyn Dawkins.
Higgins is the preseason All-American who will be on everyone's radar this year. Hansley caught seven passes for 90 yards against the Buffs two years ago, and also had a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown. Dawkins, a transfer from Purdue and the nephew of former NFL standout Brian Dawkins, has rushed for 140 yards on 24 carries this season and has shown a knack for escaping the grasp of the first defender to hit him — and also a tendency to put the ball on the ground. The Buffs need to prevent the former from occurring and cause the latter.
Controlling tempo: Whoever wins the battle on the ground will have a major advantage.
A year ago, CSU took complete control of the game in the second half with a punishing ground game the Buffs couldn't stop. If the Buffs can return the favor this year, they'll have the Rams on their heels and force CSU to pin their hopes on one of two inexperienced quarterbacks. That's not where CSU head coach Mike Bobo wants to hang his hat.
Pass rush: The Rams have recorded seven sacks this year, but that's a bit misleading: six of them came in the opener against Savannah State.
The Buffs' pass protection, however, hasn't exactly been a brick wall. It was improved against UMass, but this will be the best defensive line CU has seen this year. Even if the Buffs do establish a running game, they'll at least have to be efficient in the passing game to keep the Rams honest, and that will mean giving quarterback Sefo Liufau enough time to throw.
On the other side of the ball, the Buffs have had a solid pass rush. They had two sacks and lots of pressure against Hawai'i; then added three against UMass. If they can keep pressure on CSU's inexperienced QBs, it will be a major plus for the defense.
Punting game: This might be the biggest discrepancy in the nation this week: the Buffs bring the nation's 117th-ranked punt team into the game (averaging 29.3 yards per kick) while the Rams are the nation's No. 1 team in that category (48.6 yards per kick). Such stats are a bit misleading after just two games, but In a game that could very well turn into a field position battle, the Buffs desperately need to improve in this area — and also knock out a few decent punt returns in the process.
