Friday's Fast Five: Keys For Buffaloes Vs. Utes
December 11, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Don't be fooled by Utah's 1-2 record.
That's the message Karl Dorrell has been imparting to his 4-0 Colorado Buffaloes on a daily basis this week as they prepare for Saturday's 10 a.m. showdown with the Utes at Folsom Field (Fox).
But it is unlikely the 21st-ranked Buffs will take the Utes lightly. They have too much at stake — a potential Pac-12 South title and championship game berth are on the line — and anyone who has been on the Buffs' roster at any point the last three years knows Kyle Whittingham's team will arrive in Boulder ready to play.
From Dorrell's point of view, the Utes are just now rounding into form after a delayed start to their season.
Utah's first two games were canceled because of coronavirus issues, and they struggled in their opener, a 33-17 loss to USC. But they then dropped a narrow 24-21 decision at Washington before finally picking up a 30-24 win over Oregon State last week.
"I can tell the difference from watching the first game and where they are right now," Dorrell said. "They're completely a different looking team, a little more efficient team. Their record is no indication of their capability."
Certainly CU players know about the Utes' abilities. Colorado has lost three in a row to Utah, and none of the contests have been close.
So what must the Buffs do to end that skid and put themselves in position for a shot at the title next week?
1. Continue to run the ball effectively. OK, there's no classified information here. Colorado's rushing attack has been one of the major stories of the Pac-12 season thus far. Behind workhorse Jarek Broussard (averaging 183.3 yards per game), CU is averaging a Pac-12 best 245.5 yards per contest and the run game has been a major factor in all four victories this season.
But this will be a case of strength against strength and Saturday will pose the biggest test yet for Colorado's rushing attack. The Utes have always been tough against the run under Whittingham and this year is no different. Led by a pair of 300-pound tackles up front and two outstanding defensive ends, Utah is allowing a measly 104.7 yards per game on the ground, tops in the Pac-12.
If the Buffs can establish their ground game early, it will open up other avenues of the offense. That will be a big plus in the next department …
2. Get the passing game back on track. It's no secret Buffs quarterback Sam Noyer hasn't been at his best the last couple of weeks, with just 231 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in his last two games.
But it's more than just Noyer. As Dorrell has noted, it means receivers running precise routes and making catches when the opportunity arises, and the offensive line providing ample protection.
When all those things are clicking, CU's aerial game can be efficient and effective. If the Buffs can produce some consistency in the passing game, it will go a long way in preventing the Utes from stacking the box and focusing all their attention on Broussard.
3. Handle adverse conditions. The weekend forecast calls for snow Friday night with more possible Saturday. That means soggy, slippery turf and a wet football. The Buffs have been preparing this week for those types of conditions, and it's a good bet the Utes have as well.
Usually, wet and cold conditions are an equalizer when it comes to speed and making big plays in space, and they place an added emphasis on winning the battle in the trenches.
It means Saturday could be a slog — and whichever team better handles the conditions, physically and mentally, will have an advantage.
4. Convert third downs. The Buffs have been solid on both sides of the ball on third down this season, converting 46 percent of their tries on offense while holding opponents to 32 percent on defense.
Against the Utes, extending drives will be extra important for the CU offense, as Utah leads the Pac-12 in third-down defense (28 percent).
The Buffs need to move the chains, control the tempo and try to make Utah play from behind. Utah doesn't have much big-strike capability. If Colorado can convert some third downs early and get on the board, it will force the Utes to play catch-up — something their offense isn't comfortable doing.
5. Regain their turnover/takeaway edge. The Buffs won last week at Arizona despite losing the turnover battle. That's probably not something they want to count on against Utah.
The Utes have shown a propensity for giving the ball away, with five interceptions and three lost fumbles in their first two games (both losses). Last week, though, they didn't give up the ball once and came away with a win.
With sloppy conditions likely, ball security will be critical. Colorado has been solid in hanging onto the ball, with just one lost fumble in four games. If the Buffs can continue that trend, and collect a couple defensive takeaways, it will be an edge that could be the difference in a tight game.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
