Friday Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Bruins
November 06, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Finally.
The longest offseason in Colorado football history will come to an end Saturday when Karl Dorrell's Buffaloes play host to UCLA in a 5 p.m. game at Folsom Field (ESPN2).
Not only has it been a long, long offseason — 343 days if you're counting — it has been a bizarre, unprecedented experience for everyone involved, thanks to the circumstances presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
But when Saturday's kickoff under the Flatirons finally comes, none of that will be on the minds of Dorrell or his players. Their only concern will be doing everything necessary to collect a season opening win over the Bruins and start the Dorrell Era off on the right foot.
"I'll be locked in," Dorrell promised — and you can bet his players will have the same approach.Â
As is always the case in a season opener, there will be plenty of unknowns for both coaching staffs. UCLA will see a Dorrell team that has two familiar coordinators, but no doubt different schemes and tendencies than the Buffs teams the Bruins have seen over the last two seasons under Chip Kelly.
The Buffs, meanwhile, must be prepared to adjust to whatever new offensive wrinkles Kelly has added — and with Kelly, that is virtually a given.
So what must the Buffs do on Saturday to get that first win under Dorrell?Â
Glad you asked, as we begin another season of our weekly Fast Five:
1. Get QB Sam Noyer comfortable early. Noyer may be a senior, but Saturday will be his first collegiate start, and he'll no doubt hit the field with more than a few butterflies in his belly.
Thus, offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini will need to get Noyer in a groove early. That could mean a short passing game, a healthy dose of a steady run game, some extra protection early — all the things that could move the sticks and give Noyer some confidence.
If the Buffs can do that and Noyer finds his comfort level early, it will be a great sign for the offense.
2. Keep Dorian Thompson-Robinson from using the full width of the field. This is easier said than done, as the UCLA quarterback is a gifted athlete who can extend plays with his feet and bring another dimension to the Bruins' run game.
It means CU's edge defenders will have to be disciplined in their assignments and make sure he doesn't scramble to the outside. Thompson-Robinson is an accurate thrower, but if the Buffs can keep him in the pocket and "narrow" the field, it will limit his ability to turn potential losses into gains.
3. Force some early mistakes. Since the beginning of camp, the goal of Colorado's defense has been to pick up where it left off last year and take another step forward.
Throughout camp, they have shown all indications of being ready to do just that. CU's front seven has looked salty; the secondary is young but talented.
Saturday, they'll have a chance to set the tone early, especially if they can get to Thompson-Robinson and make him uncomfortable. While he is indeed a talented and potent weapon, he has also shown a tendency to give the ball up. Last year, he tied for the nation's lead in turnovers, throwing 12 interceptions and losing seven fumbles.
If the Buffs can force one of those early on Saturday, it will put the Bruins on their heels and be a big momentum boost for the Colorado offense.
4. Establish a run game. Yes, this is a given just about every week — but with a new quarterback, it might be just a little more important, as there's no doubt the Bruins will be doing everything possible to rattle Noyer.
Nobody's expecting the Buffs to put up 250 yards on the ground. But as Dorrell has constantly stressed, balance is the key to just about every good offense — and the Buffs must have that balance on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see here what kind of running back rotation the Buffs employ. Even though they'll be missing Alex Fontenot, the Buffs still have a diverse stable of backs who can provide a wide variety of looks. First-time starter Jarek Broussard has the speed and quickness to break big gains from anywhere, but we'll also likely see some combination of Jaren Mangham, Joe Davis, Ashaad Clayton and maybe Jayle Stacks.Â
But the key here will be the big fellas up front. Colorado returns three veteran starters on the O-line, plus two youngsters who have had some playing time in the past. If this group can take control of the trenches early and pound away, they'll be in position to wear out the Bruins by the time the fourth quarter (at altitude) rolls around.
5. Follow Dorrell's lead. One thing we already know about Karl Dorrell — panic isn't part of his vocabulary. He maintains a strong but measured demeanor, and that's what the Buffs will need Saturday.
Far more often than not, teams take on the personality of their head coach. It's natural. For a team coming off a nearly one-year layoff, a team that will no doubt be sky-high when it hits the field, Dorrell's intense, steady focus will be important, especially when adversity hits.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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