Fast Five Keys For Buffaloes Vs. Cal

BOULDER — Colorado interim head coach Mike Sanford didn't make any big promises when he was appointed to the position on Oct. 2.

But Sanford did say he wanted to make the game fun again for the 0-5 Buffaloes, who admittedly have found that commodity in short supply thus far this year.

Of course, the best way to have fun is to collect a win, something the 0-5 Buffs (0-2 Pac-12) will attempt to do Saturday when they play host to Cal (3-2, 1-1) in a noon game at Folsom Field.

To notch that elusive first victory, Sanford's Buffs will have to change the direction of just about every facet of their game. They will need to improve a defense that is near the bottom of the nation in points allowed (43.2 per game) and an offense that is occupying the same neighborhood in its production (13.4 points per game).

The Buffs did show some slight improvement in their last outing, registering a season-high in points in a 43-20 loss to Arizona.

But they will be facing a Cal team that rolled to a 49-31 win over that same Arizona team a week earlier before falling to Washington State, 28-9, in its last outing.

Both teams are coming off a bye week, meaning both teams have had a little extra time to address their issues.

What the Buffs must do in order to notch their first win of the season:

1. Reduce explosive plays on defense. In five games, Colorado has yielded 2,544 offensive yards on 346 offensive snaps by the opponent — and 1,059 of those yards have come on just 35 plays.

Translated, that means more than 41 percent of opponents' yardage has come on barely 10 percent of the plays.

Those chunk plays are back-breakers. The Buffs have to figure out a way to reduce those big moments and make the Bears work to grind out long, sustained drives.

If CU can accomplish that, the Buffs can be in the game down the stretch.

2. Win the turnover battle. In five games this year, Colorado has yet to have more takeaways than turnovers.

The Buffs have broken even in that department several times. But they have yet to produce an edge in those momentum-shifting moments that can change the complexion of a game in an instant.

Overall, the Buffs have forced just four turnovers by their opponents — one interception and three fumble recoveries. That's not a recipé for success, especially for a team in need of some breaks.

Cal has been extremely proficient in taking care of the ball this year, with just two interceptions from starting quarterback Jack Plummer and no lost fumbles.

But the Buffs have to somehow flip the script and give themselves a boost.

3. Give QB Owen McCown the opportunity to succeed early. CU's freshman quarterback has had some decent moments in his two starts this year. He's thrown for 496 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

But he's also been sacked nine times, and he'll be facing a team that has already recorded 16 quarterback sacks in five games.

This will be an interesting opportunity for Sanford and his new offensive coordinator, Clay Patterson. They have the chance to put their stamp on Colorado's attack. While no one expects Patterson's shoot-from-the-hip style that he employed as a highly successful JC coach, it is still a chance for CU to open things up and give McCown a chance to sling it around the field.

The Bears have staked their program on defense under Justin Wilcox. They have been very solid against the run this year, giving up less than 120 yards per game on the ground.

But they have given up yards in the air, to the tune of nearly 270 yards per game. That includes 343 yards and three TDs passing by Washington State in Cal's 28-9 loss to the Cougars.

The Buffs need to have those kinds of numbers Saturday to give themselves a chance.

4. Win the red zone. If there's one area that best illustrates Colorado's troubles this year, it might be the CU's performance inside the 20-yard line on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, the Buffs have just 11 red zone penetrations with only six touchdowns to show for their efforts.

Defensively, opponents have crashed CU's red zone 27 times and produced 20 touchdowns.

Those are numbers the Buffs have to reverse. Get to the red zone, score touchdowns — and force the Bears to settle for field goals when they reach inside the 20.

5. Have fun. Since being thrust into the situation, Sanford has stressed to his players that football is supposed to be fun.

Of course, winning is almost always fun. But in the last few weeks, it became apparent that Colorado players were beginning to worry more about making mistakes than they were about making big plays.

The Buffs are now in "nothing to lose" territory. With a coaching change already in the books — along with five lopsided losses — the expectations are low.

The Buffs need to play loose, have fun and give themselves a chance to win — then, make the plays down the stretch that will make that happen.

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Players Mentioned

Owen McCown