Friday Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Rams
September 15, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — For the first time this season, the Colorado Buffaloes find themselves in the role of a heavy favorite Saturday when they play host to rival Colorado State in an 8 p.m. game at Folsom Field (ESPN).
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' 18th-ranked Buffs (2-0) are solid three-touchdown favorites over the 0-1 Rams, who opened the season with a 50-24 loss to Washington State, then took last weekend off to recover.
But it's a good bet Coach Prime won't allow his team to overlook this one. All he has to do is remind the Buffs that they were in the Rams' position just a couple weeks ago — and heavy underdog Colorado shocked the college football world by knocking off then-No. 17 TCU on the Frogs' home turf.
The Rams obviously would like nothing better than to dial up a similar result on national television.
The Buffs will do their best to make sure such a scenario doesn't unfold.
On paper, there are plenty of reasons why the Buffs are such heavy favorites in the 92nd meeting between the two programs (a series that Colorado has dominated, 67-22-2).
For starters, the Buffs have unveiled one of the nation's most-potent pass offenses. In two games, quarterback Shedeur Sanders has thrown for 903 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions while completing nearly 80 percent of his throws (69-for-89). Sanders has a bevy of talented receivers, with three — Jimmy Horn Jr., Xavier Weaver and Travis Hunter — all with at least 14 catches.
That's not a good sign for a CSU defense that gave up 466 yards passing (556 total offense) in the Rams' opening loss.
Meanwhile, CU's defense took a big step forward last week in a 36-14 win over Nebraska, holding the Huskers to just one touchdown until NU managed a meaningless score in the final minutes.
But one factor that can't be overlooked in this one is the rivalry aspect. Funny things can happen in such games and the Rams have had two weeks to get ready. The Buffs need to make sure there's no funny business at Folsom.
Our weekly Fast Five:
1. Get on the scoreboard early. A week ago, the Buffs gave Nebraska some hope when CU's offense stumbled and punted on its first four possessions.
There's no reason for a repeat performance against CSU. Colorado needs to punch the Rams in the mouth early, take the wind out of their sails and get what is sure to be a frenzied Folsom Field crowd worked up to a fever pitch.
The most likely scenario, of course, is that the Buffs strike through the air. Sanders and Co. will no doubt have their opportunities to produce against a CSU defense that struggled mightily against the pass in its opener.
But this also might be a time for the Buffs to work on another aspect of their offense. Which brings us to …
2. Establish the run game. If there's anything that's been lacking in CU's offense thus far, it's been a consistent ground attack. Colorado has rushed for just 113 yards in two games while averaging only 1.7 yards per attempt.
Granted, those numbers are greatly skewed by CU having allowed 12 quarterback sacks for a loss of 97 yards. Still, this wouldn't be a bad time for the Buffs to turn their attention to the trenches and pound out some good old-fashioned rushing yards. The Rams will be running on the adrenaline of the rivalry — and the Buffs can empty that tank in a hurry by hammering CSU into submission early.
3. Continue to win the turnover battle. In two games, Charles Kelly's opportunistic defense has already produced seven takeaways (four interceptions, three fumble recoveries) while the offense has given it up just twice, with one of those a meaningless late fumble by the No. 2 offense against Nebraska.
Those game-changing moments are critical. CU's defense has stopped opponents in the red zone twice with interceptions and set up four scores with other takeaways.
Colorado also needs to make sure and not hand the Rams any easy momentum swings. Sanders has been excellent in taking care of the ball and making good decisions and all of the Buffs backs and WRs have displayed solid ball security.
That's a trend that needs to continue.
4. Work on the details. Not to suggest the Buffs should look past the Rams — but the schedule gets infinitely tougher after Saturday. Dead ahead are games at No. 13 Oregon and at home against No. 5 USC.
Saturday is the perfect opportunity to iron out some of the kinks. That includes improving the pass protection, putting a little punch in the run game, ratcheting up the pressure on the quarterback and eliminating a few of those unforced-error penalties. And, with the Rams starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback, it might not be a bad time to unleash a little extra pressure.
From this point on, the margin for error will be greatly reduced. Saturday is a chance to address those details that could be difference-makers as the season progresses.
5. Keep their feet on the gas. As mentioned earlier, the Buffs are heavy favorites, and with good reason. While the rivalry aspect always holds a measure of the unknown, this is a game CU has a chance to dominate.
This is no time to let up.
Rather, with the Pac-12 schedule now immediately ahead, this is an opportunity of which the Buffs need to take advantage. If they can be sharp and focused in every area, they will be on great footing for next week's nationally televised affair at Oregon.
