Fast Five: Keys For Buffs In Friday's Season Opener

BOULDER — If you are looking for Friday night's Colorado-Colorado State game to serve as a major barometer for the winning team, you might want to reconsider.

A win in the Rocky Mountain Showdown doesn't always portend good things for the victors. Only twice in the last 12 years has the winning team gone on to post a winning record that season. The Buffs accomplished the feat in 2016, when a 44-7 win set the foundation for a 10-4 record; the Rams had similar success in 2014 when a 31-17 win kicked off a 10-3 campaign.

Still, there's no question both teams would rather walk away from Friday's 7:30 p.m. game (CBS Sports Network) holding the Centennial Cup than not. Mike MacIntyre's Buffs would love to kick off the 2018 season with a win; Mike Bobo's Rams are already in semi-desperation mode after a shocking loss to Hawaii in the season opener.

What do MacIntyre's Buffs need to do in order to get their wish and collect their fourth straight victory in the rivalry?

1. Establish control early. If history is any guide, the Buffs will be in great shape if they simply score first. Since 1966, Colorado has a 25-2 record when scoring first in a season opener. That's a pretty healthy percentage.

But there's also more to it than just a historic trend. The Buffs need to take control early Friday to make sure the Rams don't build any early confidence.

It's no secret CSU isn't exactly brimming with self-assurance after last week's embarrassing loss to Hawaii. Even though the Rams came back from a 37-7 deficit to close to within six in the fourth quarter, their state of mind is quite likely a bit fragile. Colorado needs to make sure the folks from Fort Collins have no reason to get their confidence back up.

That means scoring early (and often) while also keeping CSU's offense in check. If the Buffs can ramp up momentum in a hurry, it could be enough to put the Rams to bed early.

2. Put pressure on K.J. Carta-Samuels. CSU's grad transfer quarterback had an auspicious debut last week — five touchdown passes to go with a school-record 537 yards in the air.

But Carta-Samuels also had plenty of time to throw, particularly in the second half, when the Rainbow Warriors pulled back on their pressure and tried to play more prevent defense. Hawaii did not record a sack on Carta-Samuels all night long.

The Buffs can't allow that to happen to them.

The Rams will likely keep one — or two — tight ends in protection to try to give Carta-Samuels as much time as possible to throw to his cadre of quality receivers. It means Colorado's defensive line will need to push the pocket and knock him off his spot, then get some sacks — or hurries — from the outside rush. It's the perfect opportunity for CU outside linebackers Jacob Callier, Drew Lewis, Davion Taylor and Carson Wells to make their presence known, and a nice chance for CU's defensive linemen to get into the act as well.

Carta-Samuels got the Rams back in the game last week by throwing deep balls. If the Buffs can harass Carta-Samuels consistently, it will greatly cut down his opportunity for those throws.

3. Get the ball to receivers in space. While Hawaii had its fair share of long balls in its 418 yards passing, the Rainbow Warriors also had a healthy amount of yards after catch. They got the ball to their receivers on the outside and let them make plays — and while it may have been first-game jitters, the Rams had trouble tackling all night long.

The Buffs have plenty of receivers capable of making such plays. If quarterback Steven Montez can get the ball to Juwann Winfree, K.D. Nixon, Kabion Ento, Jay MacIntyre, Laviska Shenault Jr. or Tony Brown in space, they all have the ability to to turn short passes into long gains.

Not to say the Buffs don't have a home run threat. They do — several, in fact. But if the Rams decide to take that threat away by playing a deep zone, Colorado is more than capable of playing an up-tempo, move-the-chains game that will produce the same result.

4. Produce defensive takeaways. If the offense does its job, the Buffs should put points on the board.

If the defense can give the Buffs a few extra possessions — either by forcing a couple of fumbles or picking off a couple of passes — it will put the Rams on their heels in a big way.

This was not a strength for Colorado a year ago, as the Buffs struggled to stop opponents' drives with those momentum-shifting plays. A handful of takeaways Friday night would not only set the tone for the game, but would help set the tone for the season and build the defense's confidence.

That would be a big step for a young group looking to get some rhythm early in the year.

5. Convert in the red zone and run the ball. While everyone knows the Buffs want to throw, they also have to prove they can move the ball on the ground. Get Travon McMillian and Kyle Evans in gear early, and it will only open up the passing lanes even more.

Meanwhile, the red zone was an area that bit the Buffs more than once a year ago. While CU did have a good percentage inside the 20 overall — 37 scores in 44 trips — 12 of those trips yielded only field goals.

This year, the Buffs have to be able to pound the ball into the end zone with more regularity when they get that close. In a season that will almost certainly include a couple of games decided by single digits, those red zone trips could be the difference between winning and losing.

Friday night would be a great time to start brushing up on those skills.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu