Colorado University Athletics
Fast Five: Digging In To Keys For Buffs Vs. Utes
November 15, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Every year, the Colorado-Utah game seems to have a little extra riding on the outcome.
This year is no different, even though it is not the last game of the season for the first time since the two teams entered the Pac-12 in 2011.
The Buffs (5-5 overall, 2-5 Pac-12) need a win to become bowl eligible. The No. 21 Utes (5-3, 7-3) need a win to remain in contention for the Pac-12 South title.
But when the two teams meet in Saturday's 11:30 a.m. matchup at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Networks), it will be the Utes who have the momentum. Utah has won five its last six, including last weekend's 32-25 win over Oregon, while the Buffs — after winning their first five — have dropped five in a row.
How can Colorado end its skid and get back on the right track? Our weekly Fast Five Keys:
1. Produce manageable second- and third-down situations. This won't be easy, especially if the Buffs want to do it consistently on the ground. The Utes are the Pac-12's best team against the run, giving up a measly 101.7 yards per game on the ground. They have a stout front seven that includes a pair of 300-pound tackles, and they have held six Pac-12 opponents to under 130 yards rushing.
But they have not been perfect against the run. Early in the year, Washington ran for 172 yards against Utah in a 21-7 win, and Arizona State two weeks ago rushed for 251 yards in a 38-20 victory (the same ASU team that Colorado held to 145 yards on the ground).
The Buffs don't have to run wild. But if they can develop a short passing game early and force the Utes to respect the perimeter, it will open up some running lanes and give Colorado the opportunity to pick and choose some spots to run.
That would be enough to establish a little consistency, keep the Utes on their heels and give Colorado some manageable third-and-short situations.
2. Stop Utah's run game. The good news — for the Buffs at least — is Colorado won't have to deal with Zack Moss, who hammered Colorado for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Utah's win last year.
But the not-so-good news is that after an injury to Moss midweek last week, Armand Shyne stepped into the starting role and ran for a career-high 174 yards on 26 carries in the win over Oregon. The Utes would love to get Shyne running downhill again and keep Colorado's offense off the field.
But if the Buffs can stop Shyne, they can force the Utes to the air, which brings us to ...
3. Put some pressure on Utes QB Jason Shelley. Again, not an easy task. In his first career start last week (the Utes also lost their starting QB two weeks ago to injury) the redshirt freshman performed like a seasoned vet. Shelley threw for 262 yards, did not throw an interception and also rushed for two scores.
But Shelley also didn't see a lot of pressure from the Ducks, who were too busy trying to stop the run. If Colorado can put the Utes in some second-and-long and third-and-long situations, they might be able to rattle him a little — particularly on the road — and force a turnover or two. That transitions nicely to …
4. Collect — and convert — some of those turnovers. CU did not have a defensive takeaway in last week's loss to Washington State, only the third time the defense has been shut out in that regard this year. They need to crank the takeaway machine back up, give the offense a short field and convert the opportunity into points.
The Utes haven't been terrific in the ball security department this year, as they have lost nine fumbles. And, while Shelley didn't throw a pick last week, it's still a small sample size. If the Buffs can put him in harm's way and cause some nervous moments in a hostile environment, they might force a mistake or two — enough to make the difference down the stretch.
5. Finish strong. Colorado has had no trouble starting fast in the last five weeks, as they have scored first in all five of those losses.
The problem has been finishing. After owning the fourth quarter through the first half of the season, the Buffs have struggled mightily down the stretch in the last four games. CU has been outscored 55-3 in the final period in those games, a major factor in at least two of their losses (Oregon State and Arizona).
The Buffs have the ability to be in this game in the final 15 minutes. All they have to remember is that they beat an Arizona State team that throttled Utah just two weeks ago.
But they have to make the plays after halftime that matter. If they do that, they can make themselves bowl eligible, then head into the final week of the regular season with a little confidence and momentum.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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