Colorado
Arizona
Buffs At Arizona: What You Need To Know
October 19, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
COLORADO BUFFALOES (4-2, 2-1 Big 12)
at ARIZONA WILDCATS (3-3, 1-2)
 TUCSON, Ariz. — One week ago, Colorado's Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders was asked about the Buffaloes' bowl prospects.
"That's not in our thought process," he said. "We're one game at a time. That's the target."
To be honest, the Buffs might have their eye on a little more than "just" a bowl game. Currently tied for fourth in the Big 12 standings and just one game behind the leaders, CU is still very much in contention for a top-two league finish and a berth in the conference championship game.
But to get there, they have to be true to the "one game at a time" philosophy. They simply can't afford too many more slips, which makes Saturday's game at Arizona just the latest in a string of critical games.
The contest should feature all kinds of intriguing matchups, beginning with Colorado star defensive back (and wide receiver) Travis Hunter covering Arizona standout receiver Tetairoa McMillan. CU's defense also has to figure out how to get to UA quarterback Noah Fififta, who has been sacked just six times this year, while the Colorado offensive line must contain an Arizona defensive front that has 11 sacks and 32 tackles for loss.
The nuts and bolts:
KICKOFF:Â 2 p.m. (MT), Arizona Stadium (50,782).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by FOX with Jason Bennett and Brock Huard in the booth and Allison Williams on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried on the Colorado Football Radio Network with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Bobby Pesavento on the sidelines. Radio coverage begins at noon.
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: College football and NFL Hall of Famer Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders is in his second year at Colorado, where he has an 8-10 record. Prior to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Brent Brennan is in his first year at UA after seven seasons at San Jose State, where he compiled a 34-48 record.
THE SERIES: This is the 27th meeting between the former Pac-12 schools, with Colorado holding a 16-10 all-time lead, including a 9-4 mark in Tucson. Arizona has won the last two meetings.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: A win will keep the Buffs squarely in contention for a top-two finish in the league standings.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has thrown for 2,018 yards, 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions with a 72.6 completion percentage. Hunter has been his favorite receiver with 49 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns while LaJohntay Wester has 26 catches for 318 yards and seven scores.Â
Isaiah Augustave leads the Buffs in rushing with 127 yards and a touchdown while Micah Welch has 113 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
Defensively, safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig leads the team in tackles with 46, including four for loss. He also had a 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown against UCF. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green has 45 tackles, including five for loss, and cornerback DJ McKinney has 41 stops, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Hunter and Preston Hodge each have two interceptions and defensive lineman Taje McCoy has a team-best three sacks. Â
 The Wildcats are led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who has thrown for 1,636 yards and eight touchdowns with nine interceptions. WR McMillan has 42 catches for 742 yards and four touchdowns and former Buff Montana Lemonious-Craig has 17 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown. Running back Quali Conley has rushed for 458 yards and six touchdowns and he also has 22 receptions for 151 yards.
Defensively, linebacker Jacob Manu has 43 tackles, including three for loss. Defensive tackle Tre Smith has 28 tackles with 4.5 for loss and seven different Wildcats have at least one sack.
KEY MATCHUP: Hunter vs. McMillan. The matchup pits one of the nation's best defensive backs against one of the nation's best receivers. If Hunter can shut McMillan down, it will be a huge boost for the Buffs defense. Â
UP NEXT:Â The Buffs return home next Saturday for an 8:15 p.m. (MT) game against Cincinnati at Folsom Field (ESPN).Â
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