Fast Five: Keys For Buffs At Washington State

PULLMAN, Wash. — Friday night's Colorado-Washington State encounter at Martin Stadium (8:30 p.m, FS1) pits two teams whose seasons have followed eerily similar paths.

Start with the records — both teams are 4-6 overall and 1-6 in Pac-12 play.

But there's far more to the similarities than the records.

Both teams started the season with winning streaks — CU won its first three while WSU opened with four in a row — and put themselves in the nation's top 25.

But since those high points, both teams have struggled.

The Buffs have lost six of their last seven, including four in a row. The Cougars have lost six in a row.

Even their styles have been similar.

Both teams have excellent quarterbacks, lean heavily on their passing games and have struggled to run the ball. Both teams' defenses have had trouble stopping the run and have given up some big numbers in their losses.

And, both have endured some narrow losses in recent weeks and believe they are on the cusp of turning their fortunes around this week.

One of them will make good on that belief Friday night.

The Buffs are convinced that improving the "little things" will make a big difference.

"We got to start tackling better, we got to block better," said CU's Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders. "We got to run the football better. We got to make the plays that we need to make the third down plays offensively, the third down plays defensively. Got to take advantage of situational football as well. And we just got to be wise out there on the field and not beat ourselves with foolish penalties."

The Buffs have indeed been close. While Sanders is virtually allergic to losing, he has made sure to note that his team is making progress. Unlike the 2022 team, Colorado is competitive. Four of CU's losses have been one-score affairs, and with a few more bounces in their favor, the Buffs could easily have six or seven wins on their ledger.

So, how do the Buffs finally get over the hump and end their skid?

Our weekly Fast Five:

1. Get constant pressure on WSU quarterback Cameron Ward and keep him in the pocket. WSU's quarterback has thrown for 3,127 yards and 20 touchdowns.

But he's equally dangerous with his feet, as he's run for six touchdowns. If it weren't for yardage lost on sacks, he would be the Cougars' leading rusher with 358 yards.

The first order of business for the Buffs will be getting pressure on Ward, then not allowing him an escape route downfield.

The Cougars' pass protection hasn't been solid. WSU has given up 31 sacks, accounting for 244 yards in losses. If the Buffs can disrupt Ward's rhythm in the pocket, they can force some mistakes and create some momentum shifts.

Which brings us to …

2. Win the turnover battle. After producing six takeaways in two games, CU's defense came up empty in last weekend's 34-31 loss to Arizona.

Still, the Buffs are among the nation's leaders in turnover ratio. CU has forced 18 turnovers this year (10 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries) and lost just seven (three interceptions, four fumbles).

The defense should have its opportunities to increase those numbers this week, especially if they can get to Ward on a regular basis.

While the WSU quarterback has thrown just five interceptions, they have all come in Washington State losses. He can be lured into throwing into coverage.

But more importantly, Ward has a tendency to be careless with the ball when he's on the run. He has fumbled 11 times this year and lost seven.

The Buffs need to force a few more of those mistakes.

3. Get the offense in gear early. Scoring first by no means guarantees a win, but the Buffs need to get out of the gate with some force Friday and keep the crowd quiet.

This will be a game in which both teams are desperate for some momentum — and whoever gains the upper hand early could have a big edge.

Colorado had a great first half against Arizona last week with 24 points against a very good defense. If the Buffs can match that this week, they'll be in position to win the game down the stretch.

4. No more self-inflicted wounds. The Buffs have been penalized 84 times this year, the most in the Pac-12. Too many of those have been easily avoidable unforced errors.

Last week's game against Arizona was the perfect example. Colorado was flagged for three false starts, two roughing the passer violations and one each for an ineligible receiver downfield, illegal formation and unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Buffs can't hand WSU any freebies Friday on either side of the ball.

5. Play 60 minutes of complementary football. CU has had outstanding stretches of offense. There have been contests when the defense has kept Colorado in the game. And, CU's special teams have been terrific in bursts.

But the Buffs haven't put all three phases together for an extended period of time for what seems like an eternity.

The ability is there. The Buffs have competed straight up with five of the six ranked teams they have faced.

They just need to put all three phases together for four quarters. If they do that, they'll leave Pullman with a win.

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