Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Ready To Test Up-Tempo Offense Against Michigan Defense
September 14, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
Colorado to face toughest challenge yet in Wolverines defense
BOULDER — Two weeks into the season, there is no doubt Colorado's promise of an up-tempo offense is not an empty one.
The Buffs are not only running plays at a rapid rate — 88.5 offensive snaps per game thus far — they are also producing yards and points. Colorado is averaging 6.64 yards per offensive snap, which includes an eye-popping 10.2 yards per pass attempt.
The Buffs are also making every drive count. In 28 possessions thus far, they have had just three three-and-outs.
But CU's offense will no doubt face by far its toughest challenge yet when the Buffs play at No. 4 Michigan on Saturday (1:30 p.m., Big Ten Network). The Wolverines boast an oustanding front seven, led by preseason All-American lineman Chris Wormley, and an equally talented secondary, one that includes preseason All-American linebacker/safety Jabrill Peppers.
"They're talented — definitely the most talented group we've seen," said CU co-offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren. "They're strong up front and daunting in the secondary. It's no doubt going to be a challenge for us."
If there's any such thing as a "barometer game," this week's contest fits the description. It shouldn't take long for the Buffs to see just how their offense matches up against a top-flight defense.
It's also a challenge they welcome.
"We're going to do what we do," said Darrin Chiaverini, the other half of CU's offensive coordinator braintrust. "It doesn't matter who we're playing, it doesn't matter what jersey they're wearing, it doesn't matter what helmet they're wearing. We're going to run our offense and do what we do."
How much success the Buffs have in that department remains to be seen — but rest assured, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has been preparing his team as best he can for CU's rapid pace. Earlier this week, Harbaugh said the Wolverines have been employing a practice strategy that has become more and more popular around the nation as no-huddle offenses become more and more common.
The strategy employs two offensive scout teams. As one unit is running a play against the No. 1 defense, the next unit is huddling behind the line of scrimmage, getting the call for the play it will run next. As soon as the first unit completes its play, the second scout unit rushes to the line of scrimmage and prepares to run its play.
Thus, the No. 1 defense has to rush back to the line of scrimmage, survey the offensive set and make the defensive calls at a pace they will likely see in the game.
While a variety of teams around the nation have been employing the practice strategy for several years, it is Alabama's Nick Saban who is believed to have brought it into vogue. After his Crimson Tide was upset by Texas A&M and quarterback Johnny Manziel in 2012, Alabama reportedly employed the practice strategy the following year to prepare for A&M's offense, and picked up a win in the process.
"You try to simulate it the best you can," Harbaugh said earlier this week when asked about Colorado's tempo offense. "Two scout teams, two huddles. We're doing good. In practice, we're getting a play off 13 to 17 seconds a play. We've been doing it now for three and a half, four weeks."
The Buffs, though, are confident that while opponents may try to simulate their offense, they can't reproduce the speed and precision.
"They're just a great defense and what they run, they run really well," CU quarterback Sefo Liufau said. "It's kind of what separates them from the first two teams that we've played this season. They've got some players over there, which is fine. Being a competitor, you want to play against the best. They're going to make some plays, which is the nature of the game. But we'll make some plays, too, and our goal is to be consistent and make more plans than they do this week."
EYE ON PEPPERS: One player the Buffs offense will be keeping an eye on as much as possible is Peppers, a player named to Fox Sports' "Top 20 'Freaks' In College Football for 2016."
Listed as a linebacker/defensive back on Michigan's roster, the 6-foot-1, 205 pounder plays a role similar to that played by Chidobe Awuzie on CU's defense (although Peppers also returns punts and kicks, something not on Awuzie's resume). He can line up at linebacker or safety, and has even split out wide and played coverage on wide receivers.
"He's a really talented player," Lindgren said. "He's able to come down in the box and play physical and he does a nice job tackling in space. He's also able to be put out there in cover. He's given the first two teams they've played issues and we definitely have to be aware of where he's at."
Peppers leads the team in tackles this season (13 unassisted and three assists), with four tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries.
"Looking at him on film, he's a very athletic player, and he plays in a lot of different positions," Liufau said. "'They'll probably move him around. He's a great player, you can't take that away from him, but we've got some great players as well on the perimeter that we'll have make some plays this week."
STATISTICAL ANOMALY: It's not often that a player can lead a defense in defensive snaps and not be somewhere near the top of the list in tackles.
CU cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, though, has done just that thus far. Witherspoon, a senior cornerback, has played 90 snaps for the Buffs, more than any other defender. He has yet, however, to be credited with a single tackle.
There is, however, an explanation. A stellar pass defender, Witherspoon has spent virtually every play this year in pass coverage. While he hasn't made a tackle, he does have a team-leading three pass breakups. He also has not allowed a completion yet, and thus has not had many opportunities to make a tackle.
RAIN IN FORECAST: Saturday's weather forecast for Ann Arbor calls for an 80 percent chance of rain, with thunderstorms likely in the morning, a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon and a high of 79 degrees.
CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said he's not worried about the forecast.
"It doesn't change anything we do," MacIntyre said. "We've played in snow, we've played in rain, we've played in heat. It won't change anyting. They've got field turf, too, so it shouldn't bother your footing at all."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
