Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Vs. Trojans: What You Need To Know
September 30, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
COLORADO BUFFALOES (3-1, 0-1)
vs. NO. 8 USC (4-0, 2-0)
BOULDER — One of the bigger questions in college football this week has been, "How will Colorado respond?"
Just a week ago, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Buffaloes were unbeaten, ranked No. 19 in the nation and primed for a matchup with No. 10 Oregon.
But then came a 42-6 loss in Eugene — and now, Colorado faces another top-10 team with an equally explosive offense and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Caleb Williams.
That's not exactly a perfect "bounce back" game and oddsmakers agree, as Colorado is a three-touchdown underdog.
But while USC's offense is clearly prolific — the Trojans lead the nation in scoring, averaging 55.0 points per game — their defense has been susceptible. USC is tied for 69th in the nation in yards allowed (364.5 per game) and last week gave up 28 points to Arizona State, the same ASU squad that was blanked a week previously by Fresno State.
Colorado's defense, though, has also struggled in recent weeks and the Buffs are giving up more than 475 yards per game. It doesn't help that Colorado will likely be without the services of two-way star Travis Hunter for the second straight week, as he is still recovering from an injury suffered in the win over Colorado State. There is also a chance CU will be without safety Shilo Sanders, also recovering from an injury.
Thus, the general consensus is that if Colorado is going to be in this one down the stretch, the Buffs will have to engage in a shootout with the Trojans and put big numbers on the board. It's not a foreign concept for Colorado — the Buffs did just that in the opener this season, taking a 45-42 win at TCU.
Now, a national network audience will watch the Buffs again for the fifth straight week to see if CU can produce some of that early season magic again.
Nuts and bolts for the contest:
KICKOFF: 10:05 a.m., Folsom Field, (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by Fox with Gus Johnson and former Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt in the booth and Jenny Taft on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried by KOA (850 AM) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett upstairs and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines. KOA's coverage begins at 8 a.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders has a 3-1 record at Colorado in his first year as CU's head coach after three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Lincoln Riley is in his second season at USC, where he has compiled a 15-3 record. Prior to USC, he was the head coach at Oklahoma, where he had a 55-10 record in five seasons.
THE SERIES: USC leads the series 16-0, including an 8-0 mark in Boulder.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: This will be the Buffs' last chance in the foreseeable future to collect a win over the Trojans. A victory could also bump the Buffs back into the nation's top 25. The Trojans have eyes on a CFP berth and a loss would no doubt damage those hopes.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado is led by QB Shedeur Sanders, who is second in the nation in passing yards per game (352.5). Sanders has completed 130 of his 169 attempts for 1,410 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception.
The Buffs have six players with double-digit receptions, led by Xavier Weaver (34 catches, 461 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Jimmy Horn Jr. (27-for-243, 2 touchdowns).
CU's run game has struggled, averaging just more than 55 yards per game on the ground. Freshman Dylan Edwards leads Colorado with 157 yards on 28 attempts.
Defensively, linebacker Juwan Mitchell has been in on a team-leading 28 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Safety Shilo Sanders — whose status is still up in the air for this game — has 26 tackles and an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown. Safeties Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and Trevor Woods have two interceptions apiece.
USC's offense is led by Williams, who has completed 75 of 101 attempts for 1,200 yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions. Former Buff Brenden Rice leads the Trojans in receiving yards with 12 catches for 257 yards and five touchdowns. Electric freshman Zachariah Branch has 13 catches for 178 yards and two scores, and he has also returned a kick and a punt for a touchdown.
MarShawn Lloyd is averaging almost 9 yards per carry with 349 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries.
Defensively, the Trojans have 16 sacks — with eight coming last week vs. Arizona State. Safety Calen Bullock leads USC with 19 tackles and he also has an interception. Defensive end Solomon Byrd has a team-leading 4.5 sacks while rush end Jamil Muhammad has three sacks and two forced fumbles.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado's offensive line vs. USC front four. The Trojans will no doubt take a page from Oregon's book and try to put pressure on CU's Sanders from the beginning. The Ducks had seven sacks last week against Colorado and the Buffs can't afford to allow the same kind of numbers Saturday. If CU can protect Sanders and give him time to get the offense rolling, the Buffs can be in this one down the stretch.
UP NEXT: The Buffs hit the road next Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. matchup at Arizona State (Pac-12 Networks).
