Fast Five: Keys For Colorado In Season Opener Vs. TCU
September 01, 2022 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — If you're aching to see the Colorado Buffaloes muscle their way back to relevancy, you couldn't ask for a better season opener than Friday night's kickoff against Texas Christian.
This is not the time for cupcakes.
This is an opportunity for Colorado, a game against a well-respected program from a Power 5 conference and a chance to build some critical early season confidence and momentum.
No doubt, the cards have been dealt in the Buffs' favor: at home, under the lights, national television, and what will surely be a raucous Folsom Field crowd. It should be the perfect atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs bring plenty of question marks into the affair. They will be playing their first game under new coach Sonny Dykes, hired after last year's 5-7 finish. They are confident in their offense — one that was one of the best in the Big 12 last year — but have no idea what to expect from a defense that took a pounding last season.
Karl Dorrell's Buffs need to take advantage of the opportunity and deliver a message.
Here are the keys to making that happen:
1. Deliver some big plays early. It doesn't matter if it's offense, defense or special teams. The crucial part is simply administering a big blow early, getting the crowd completely into the game and putting the Horned Frogs on their heels.
Early momentum could be a major factor, especially against an opponent that is still feeling its way around a new coaching staff. If the Buffs can create some havoc and cause some doubts to filter through the TCU sideline, it could provide a wave of confidence Colorado can ride throughout the night.
2. Get the Buffs QB into an early rhythm. CU's Dorrell spent the week keeping his cards close to his vest, choosing not to reveal who his starting quarterback will be.
But no matter who it is — Brendon Lewis or J.T. Shrout — the Buffs need to make sure he gets every chance possible to have some early success. No need for a bombs-away approach. Just move the sticks, work the short passing game to establish a tempo and get the running game in gear.
The biggest question mark for the Horned Frogs is their defense. TCU last year gave up an average of 462 yards and 35 points per game. The Buffs need to make sure to give the Horned Frogs every reason to believe early that they haven't yet found those defensive answers.
3. Get to the quarterback early and often. TCU has two quality throwers in Max Duggan and Chandler Morris, plus a true dual-threat QB in Sam Jackson. While the Horned Frogs had a balanced offense last year, the expectation is that Dykes will bring with him the pass-happy attack that has marked his career.
But no matter who's taking the snaps, the Buffs need to make life uncomfortable for him from the beginning. CU finished last season with just 15 quarterback sacks, a number that needs to improve dramatically this year.
Friday night would be a good time to begin addressing the situation.
4. Run the football with authority and control the clock. Colorado's offense no doubt had all kinds of issues last year — but CU's inability to run the ball consistently was the root cause.
The Horned Frogs should provide an opportunity for the Buffs to begin to heal those problems. TCU last year gave up more than 220 yards per game on the ground and while Dykes brings with him a new defensive scheme, his team will no doubt have some kinks to work out.
This is an area in which the Buffs can establish tempo, control the clock and keep TCU's offense off the field. Colorado can't afford a string of three-and-out possessions and give the Frogs extra chances with the ball against a young Buffs secondary.
If CU can move the ball on the ground consistently, the Buffs will be in the game down the stretch.
5. Play as if the season is on the line. Strictly speaking, this one is just one of 12 games. Plenty of season will remain Saturday morning, no matter what happens Friday night.
But the reality is these Buffs need some confidence and momentum. If Colorado can come away with a win in the opener, it will send them into next week's road game at Air Force with some swagger — a commodity that has been in rather short supply over the last few years.
It's time for the Buffaloes to begin reloading in that regard.
