Buffs Prepare For Friday Matchup With No. 8 USC

BOULDER — From the frying pan into the fire?

To folks on the outside, at least, that's what the Colorado Buffaloes' schedule must look like these days.

Last weekend, the Buffaloes (1-8 overall, 1-5 Pac-12) tangled with then-No. 8 Oregon in Boulder, coming out on the short end of a 49-10 decision.

Friday night, it's another eighth-ranked team for the Buffs — this time the 8-1 USC Trojans (6-1 Pac-12) at the Los Angeles Coliseum, a program Colorado has never beaten in 15 matchups.

"It's going to be a tremendous challenge," allowed CU coach Mike Sanford after Tuesday's practice. "But the key for us is our preparation. We're going to be ready for this game … Everybody's not going to give us a chance and we're going to go in there with belief. And that's what this week in our preparation has been about."

The Trojans are in the midst of one of the bigger turnarounds in college ball this season. After finishing last season with a 4-8 mark under the direction of an interim head coach for most of the season, they have bounced back under Lincoln Riley and a host of transfers, already doubling last year's victory total with at least four games still to play.

USC's headliner is quarterback Caleb Williams, who followed Riley to Los Angeles from Oklahoma. The sophomore signal caller is having an outstanding season, completing nearly 65 percent of his passes for 2,742 yards, 28 touchdowns — and just one interception.

"There's times where it looks like he's throwing the ball between his legs, behind his back," Sanford said. "There's a lot of stuff going on, ala (Kansas City Chiefs star QB ) Patrick Mahomes."

While Williams' passing yards and touchdown totals are no doubt impressive, his most impressive accomplishment this year may be that he has thrown just one interception in 316 pass attempts.

That is also half of the Trojans' turnover total for the season, as they did not lose a fumble in their first eight games, a streak that finally came to an end in last weekend's 41-35 win over Cal.

"It's almost mind boggling," Sanford said, "They're not risk-averse type plays. I mean, they're risky throws. It just obviously goes to show the accuracy he has out of the pocket."

But Williams is by no means the Trojans' only star. Last season's Biletnikoff Award winner, Jordan Addison, moved from Pitt to USC in the offseason and has 39 catches for 585 yards and seven touchdowns. Addison did not play last week but early indications are he'll be ready for the Buffaloes.

In the run game, the Trojans are led by Travis Dye, who transferred in from Oregon and has rushed for 858 yards and nine touchdowns.

Defensively, linemen Tuli Tuipuloto leads the nation in sacks with nine and he is fourth in the nation in tackles for loss, averaging 1.7 per game.

Also contributing to USC's success this year have been a pair of former Buffs. Wide receiver Brenden Rice is fourth on the team in catches with 23 for 266 and one touchdown while cornerback Mekhi Blackmon has two interceptions and 38 tackles.

INJURY UPDATE: Sanford said both safety Trevor Woods and running back Deion Smith practiced Tuesday and should be ready for Friday's game.

Smith was injured early in the Oregon game and was held out the rest of the day mostly as a precautionary measure. Woods played most of the game — 46 snaps — and still finished as CU's leading tackler with 10 stops.

"I think both will be ready for Friday night's game and I'm excited to see them respond," Sanford said.

Woods, a sophomore, has emerged as one of CU's top young defenders. He has a team-leading 77 tackles this year, has forced two fumbles and has one interception. He is quickly earning a reputation around the conference as a fierce hitter with great instincts for the game.

"He really has an all-conference type of future here," Sanford said. "Just how he continues to grow and his confidence and also as his body continues to get bigger You're going to see a really good player in him for years to come."

HONORARY CAPTAIN: Sanford said wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig, who grew up just a few miles from the Coliseum, has been named an honorary captain for Friday's game.

The Buffs have a number of players from California on the roster, including several from the southern part of the state.

Lemonious-Craig has been a steady performer for the Buffs this season, and he delivered what is without doubt the biggest catch of the year this far, a 22-yard touchdown in overtime that lifted Colorado over Cal, 20-13. For the season, he has 19 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

His role will quite likely grow over the final three games as CU plays without leading receiver Jordyn Tyson, who suffered a season-ending injury late in the Oregon game.

Also expected to pick up some time in Tyson's absence is Daniel Arias (19 catches, 309 yards, one score).

And, it's possible the Buffs could see Chase Penry make a return. The sophomore has played in just three games this year as he has been battling injuries, and has just one reception. Players who appear in four or fewer games are allowed a redshirt for that season once in their college careers.

Related Videos