Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Set To Kick Off Tucker Era vs. Rams In Denver
August 30, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
DENVER — History is no doubt on the side of the Colorado Buffaloes in Friday night's nationally televised season-opening matchup with in-state rival Colorado State in Denver (8 p.m., ESPN).
 The Buffs have won four in a row in the series and five of the last six — and the last three haven't been close, with CU outscoring CSU 106-23 in that stretch.
But history never scored a touchdown or made a tackle, meaning it will be a clean slate for both squads when they square off under the Friday night lights.
Certainly, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker, who will be getting his first taste of the in-state rivalry, is taking absolutely nothing for granted. Tucker has enough experience in rivalry situations — in the NFL and in college ball — to know that rivalries have a funny way of bucking conventional wisdom.
Tucker will be squaring off against another head coach who traveled a similar path to Colorado. Tucker was the defensive coordinator at Georgia before being named to the Colorado post; CSU head coach Mike Bobo was Georgia's offensive coordinator before taking the Rams' job in time for the 2015 season.
"Mike's a great coach," Tucker said last week. "I've gotten to know him a little bit over the years. He's a first-class guy, really accomplished, he's great at what he does. He's really tough to prepare for, what he does offensively. He's done a great job with his program so it's going to be a huge challenge for us. I know he'll have his team ready to go and they'll be at their best."
Both teams bring the promise of high-powered offenses into the game — and both teams bring defenses that enter the 2019 season with question marks when it comes to experience.
But of the two, it is Colorado's offense that left the biggest impression in last year's 45-13 win. That is the game that CU wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. burst onto the scene with a 11-catch, 211-yard, one touchdown performance, complemented nicely by a 6-for-112, one score day from fellow wideout K.D. Nixon. CU quarterback Steven Montez, meanwhile, completed 22 of 25 attempts for 338 yards and four touchdowns, and he also ran 38 yards for a score.
Those are numbers the Rams obviously haven't forgotten — in particular the breakout game by Shenault, who has been an intense part of CSU's focus this week.
"I think the big key is communication, where he is, and then putting our eyes in the right spot for our keys," Bobo said earlier this week. "Now, obviously a pass rush is important to make the quarterback uncomfortable where he might be a little bit inaccurate and his feet aren't set. The way they get the ball to Shenault, the way they have in the past, I think it's going to be a team effort defensively."
But the Rams also have a capable offense, led by veteran quarterback Collin Hill. Although the CSU junior has started just eight games over the last three seasons — thanks in large part to a pair of torn ACLs — he still has plenty of experience in Bobo's system, as well as a strong arm. His favorite target this year is expected to be 6-foot-6 junior wide receiver Warren Jackson, but he also has a pair of big and talented tight ends. Throw in a pair of veteran running backs in Marcus McElroy and Marvin Kinsey, and the Rams have the makings of a potent attack.
"You've got a quarterback with a big arm and then you've got two backs that have played a lot of football," Buffs defensive coordinator Tyson Summers said. "You've got an offensive line that's coming back with a number of guys as well and you've got tight ends that can do a lot of dangerous things. It will be one of the better tight end groups that we'll face all year. The versatility and the things you have to get prepared for are challenges."
GAME CAPTAINS: Instead of team captains for the season, the Buffs will have captains for each game, then elect captains for the year at the end of the season. Named by Tucker as the captains for Friday night's season opener against Colorado State are senior offensive lineman Tim Lynott, junior wide receiver K.D. Nixon and junior linebacker Nate Landman.
FOR OPENERS: Colorado is 80-44-5 in all-time season openers, including a 9-5 mark in openers in Denver … The Buffs are 18-23 all-time in Friday games …Â
In case you're wondering how the season opener works as a predictor for the season, figure this: in the 80 seasons CU has won its opener, the Buffs have went on to post a winning record 61 times. In the 44 times the Buffs have lost their opener, they had a winning season just 19 times.
HEAD COACH DEBUTS: Mel Tucker is CU's 26th full-time head coach. The last 15 CU head coaches have gone just 2-13 in their CU openers, with the only coaches to get wins in their first game at CU being Rick Neuheisel (1995) and Mike MacIntyre (2013).
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Colorado's wide receivers vs. CSU's defensive backs. A year ago, CU's wideouts scorched a young Rams secondary all night long. Colorado State coaches believe they have improved their pass coverage — but the Buffs receivers have also taken a step forward. Whoever wins this battle will go a long way in determining the outcome.
KEEP AN EYE ON: CU's running backs and defensive line. Colorado's backs are an untested but talented group. If they can get the running game rolling, it will be a great sign for the CU offense. As for CU's defensive line, it's the big men up front who need to first stop the Rams' run game, then put some pressure on Hill to help protect a young Buffs secondary.
THE SERIES: The Buffs have a commanding 66-22-2 all-time edge that includes a 12-6 mark in Denver. CU has won four in a row and five of the last six.
NUTS AND BOLTS:
Kickoff: 8 p.m., Broncos Stadium at Mile High, (76,125).
Broadcast: ESPN will televise the game with Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer and Lauren Sisler. KOA 850 AM will carry the radio broadcast with Mark Johnson, Gary Barnett and Bob Pesavento.
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
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