Buffs Set For Visit From Arizona
October 05, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Two teams with similar resume´s and identical records will aim to separate themselves from the pack Saturday when Colorado (3-1 overall, 1-0 Pac-12) and Arizona (3-1, 1-0) square off in a 2:30 matchup at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Network).
For what it's worth — and at this point of the season, the answer is "not much" — the winners will find themselves at the top of the Pac-12 South standings.
More importantly, the winners will build momentum as they head into the meaty part of their conference schedules — which for Mel Tucker's Buffs consists of road trips to Oregon and Washington State over the next two weeks before finally returning home for a Friday night matchup (Oct. 25) with USC.
The similarities between the Buffs and Wildcats are plentiful. Colorado's only loss came to a Mountain West foe, Air Force. Arizona's only loss came to Hawaii, also of the Mountain West. Both teams have wins over respected non-conference foes — Nebraska for Colorado, Texas Tech for Arizona — and both teams won their Pac-12 openers, with CU knocking off Arizona State and the Wildcats defeating UCLA.
Even their numbers are similar. Offensively, Arizona is averaging 37.8 points per game while Colorado is at 35.8. Defensively, the Wildcats are giving up 29.3 points per game while CU is yielding 30.8 per contest.
Both teams even see themselves as strong fourth-quarter teams. CU has outscored opponents 54-31 in the final period this year while the Wildcats — currently on a three-game win streak — have a 22-0 edge in the fourth quarter over their last two games.
And, both squads have some of their best players nursing injuries. Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate and running back J.J. Taylor both missed last week's game against UCLA; the Buffs have said defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson and wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. will be game-time decisions.
Much has been made this week of Arizona's quarterback situation. The Buffs are very familiar with Tate, who has had two career-best games against Colorado over the last two years. But Grant Gunnell, who stepped in for Tate last weekend, might be a better overall passer.
Still, no matter who finally steps on the field for both teams, history suggests it will be a high-scoring affair. Since 2011, when Colorado joined the Pac-12, the winning team in this matchup has scored at least 38 points in all eight games while the losing team has never scored less than 20.
"They've got a talented group of running backs," said CU defensive coordinator Tyson Summers. "It's not just one guy, it's two guys, three guys. They keep pounding. … You don't see one guy tackle those guys very easily. The offensive line is very tough and they're very sound in what they do."
The biggest concern for the Buffs on the defensive side of the ball will be limiting Arizona's explosive play capability — something that's been a bit of an issue thus far this year for Colorado. The Buffs have given up 21 plays of 20 yards or more this year, while Arizona has notched 10 scoring plays of 20 yards or longer. That includes a 94-yard run by Gary Brightwell, an 84-yard jaunt by Tate and a pair of 75-yard scoring passes by Gunnell.
"It's more for us about execution and communication on our part," Tucker said of CU's big-play troubles. "Obviously, the offense is doing a good job with shifts and motions and a really good scheme and a good design, but everything we do is sound and solid. And so if we execute, which we should be in a position to make plays. When we're not in position to make a play on the ball, or fit a run, usually it's some type of error on our part."
While both defenses have given up plenty of points, they have also kept their teams in every game by forcing turnovers. Both teams have collected 11 takeaways this season, tops in the Pac-12. Arizona has done most of its damage in the secondary, reaping nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries while the Buffs have five interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
Offensively, the Buffs will aim to replicate their effort from their last outing, a 34-31 win at ASU two weeks ago. In that game, CU rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown and threw for 337 and three touchdowns. The Buffs also did not allow a sack in the game.
"My mentality every single drive that we get on that field is to go out there and score," said CU quarterback Steven Montez. "I want to score touchdowns. That's our goal that we go into each drive with. If it's a back and forth game, then we just have to score more touchdowns than they do. It's pretty plain and simple."
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Colorado offensive line vs. Arizona defensive line. The Wildcats have been decent against the run this year, giving up just 137.3 yards per game and 4.4 per rush. But if the Buffs can establish a run game early, it will give them the chance to put together some long drives. That will take a toll on the Wildcats' defense, give CU an edge down the stretch — and keep Arizona's offense off the field.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Arizona's quarterback, whoever it might be. The Buffs spent the week preparing for both. If it's Tate, they will try to keep him in the pocket and take their chance against his arm. If it's Gunnell, they will try to put pressure on him early and often and force the freshman into some mistakes.
THE SERIES: The Buffs lead the all-time series 14-7, but just 5-4 in Boulder. Since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, the Buffs are just 2-6
NUTS AND BOLTS:
Kickoff: 2:40 p.m., Folsom Field (50,183).
Broadcast: Pac-12 Network will carry the game with Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth and Sam Peszek. KOA 850 will carry the radio broadcast with Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines.
In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
