Friday's Fast Five: Keys For Buffs At Air Force

AIR FORCE ACADEMY — After a second-half collapse last week that turned a one-point halftime deficit into a 25-point loss to TCU, the Colorado Buffaloes (0-1) need to rebound in a hurry.

Saturday's matchup at 1-0 Air Force (1:30 p.m., CBS) offers that opportunity — but if the 0-1 Buffs are going to bounce back, they will need to be at their best.

The Falcons boast the nation's leading rushing team, a unit that won the national rushing "title" the last two seasons before opening with 582 yards on the ground last week in an opening 48-17 win over Northern Iowa.

But AFA is more than a ground-consuming option attack. The Falcons also boast a stout defense, one that last year finished fourth in the nation in total defense and 16th in scoring defense. While they are relatively small up front, they boast an overall active front seven that utilizes multiple fronts and can get to the quarterback, stop the run and generally disrupt an opponent's offense.

Our weekly Fast Five keys for CU success:

1. Stop the run. We're clearly stating the obvious here, but the Buffs can't afford to allow the Falcons to put their rushing attack in high gear.

It means CU's defenders — in particular linebackers Robert Barnes, Quinn Perry and Josh Chandler-Semedo — will have to be disciplined in their approach. AFA's attack forces mistakes by the defense — an overreaction or missed assignment — then takes advantage.

Another critical factor will be CU's defensive ends setting the edge and forcing plays inside. If the Falcons get outside with room to run, they will break big plays.

Overall, it means sound, disciplined football from every defender.

2. Stop the run. The best way to stop AFA's offense is to keep it on the sidelines. That means the Buffs must put together long, sustained offensive drives and dictate the tempo on their terms.

In the first half last week, Colorado knocked on the door of doing just that. CU rang up more than 200 yards offense in the first half and had the ball for 22 minutes. The only problem was the Buffs couldn't get into the end zone, coming up empty on one red zone trip and settling for field goals on two other drives.

Last season, Air Force lost just three games — and in all three, the Falcons either lost the time of possession battle or had only a slight edge. Colorado needs to control the clock, establish some rhythm and force the Falcons to play catch-up early. Whether it's Brendon Lewis or J.T. Shrout at quarterback, Colorado's offense must be consistent early and get to the end zone.

(By the way, AFA can be susceptible to the passing game. Utah State threw for 448 yards against the Falcons last year in a 49-45 win.)

3. Stop the run. While the Buffs did not commit a turnover last week, neither did they come up with a defensive takeaway — and nothing slows down an offense like losing a fumble.

Air Force does not put the ball on the ground often. But the Buffs need to disrupt the option, force a fumble or two and win the turnover battle.

4. Stop the run. Two more critical pieces here to AFA's run game — third-down conversions and explosive plays.

In two of Air Force's three losses last year (San Diego State and Army), the Falcons converted just 10 of 32 third-down tries.

In the loss to San Diego State, Air Force had just four rushing plays of 10 yards or longer.

Those are two areas in which the Buffs must be very good. TCU hit Colorado with eight offensive plays of 20 yards or longer last week while also converting four of six third-down attempts in the second half.

The Buffs can't afford to give the Falcons too many chances at extending drives — and they can't allow those big momentum-shifting plays. (This also applies to the passing game. The Falcons don't throw much, but do have a tendency to lull secondaries to sleep, then heave a long ball. Colorado's DBs can't give in to complacency).

5. Play through adversity. There will no doubt be some tough moments Saturday. Falcon Stadium is a difficult environment and the home crowd is sure to be juiced for a visit from Colorado.

But if the Buffs play sound, disciplined football, stick to the game plan and keep their heads up, they'll be in the game in the fourth quarter.

Then, they will have a chance to make the plays that make the difference.