FORT COLLINS — After a week of hearing about their problems, the Colorado Buffaloes have a chance Saturday to turn their season back in the right direction.
A rivalry matchup with Colorado State on the Rams’ home turf might be just the remedy for Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ squad.
The Buffs are coming off a 28-10 loss at Nebraska that saw CU spot the Huskers a 28-0 lead before outscoring NU 10-0 in the second half. The Rams, after absorbing a 52-0 beatdown at the hands of Texas in their season opener, bounced back to dispose of Northern Colorado, 38-17.
The Buffs have a chance to keep their second-half momentum from last week going in the right direction.
Offensively, Colorado’s passing game could give the Rams fits, especially if the Buffs can manufacture even a hint of a run game. Defensively, CU needs to simply pick up where the Buffs left off in Lincoln.
No doubt, strange things happen in rivalry games and a couple of Colorado State players fanned the flames this week with some incendiary comments.
But if the Buffs can keep their cool and play their game, they will back up the oddsmakers, who have installed them as solid touchdown favorites.
The nuts and bolts:
KICKOFF: 5:30 p.m. (MT), Canvas Stadium (36,500).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by CBS with Rich Waltz on play-by-play, Ross Tucker as analyst and Tiffany Blackmon on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried in the Denver area on KHOW (630 am) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett upstairs and Bobby Pesavento on the sidelines. Radio coverage begins at 3:30 p.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: College football and NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is in his second year at Colorado, where he has a 5-9 record. Prior to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Jay Norvell is 9-17 in his third year at CSU and 42-43 overall as a head coach. Sanders is 1-0 against the Rams while Norvell is 0-1 against the Buffs.
THE SERIES: Colorado has a hefty 68-22-2 all-time edge in the series, including six straight victories. CU is also 23-7-1 in Fort Collins, with the Rams’ last win on their home turf coming in 1955, when the school was still known as Colorado A&M.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner gets state bragging rights until at least 2029, the next time the two programs are scheduled to meet.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado’s offense is guided by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has thrown for 689 yards and five touchdowns. He has a host of excellent receivers, beginning with two-way star Travis Hunter, who has had back-to-back 100-yard games and has 17 catches for 242 yards and three scores this year. Right behind him is big-play threat Jimmy Horn Jr., who has 10 receptions for 224 yards and one score.
Defensively, cornerback DJ McKinney has been a mainstay with 14 tackles, including one for loss, and a pass breakup. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley has been solid inside with 10 tackles and a sack while safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig has 12 tackles (three for loss)..
Colorado State has a balanced offense led by quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who has thrown for 261 yards and a touchdown. CSU’s run game is averaging 171 yards per game on the ground, led by Justin Marshall (35 carries, 173 yards). Tory Horton, who has been hampered by injury this year, still has eight catches for 96 yards this season. Last year in Boulder, he caught 16 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown against Colorado.
Defensively, linebacker Buom Jock leads the Rams with 16 tackles while fellow ‘backer Chase Wilson has 15 stops. Defensive end Kenyon Agurs leads CSU in tackles for loss with 3.5.
LAST WEEK: CU fell on the road at Nebraska, 28-10. Colorado State beat Northern Colorado at home, 38-17.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado’s offensive line vs. Nebraska’s front seven. If the Buffs can give QB Sanders time to throw — and help establish the threat of a run game — the Buffs can control the tempo in this one.
UP NEXT: The Buffs return to Boulder next Saturday for their Big 12 opener, a 6 p.m. Homecoming game against Baylor (Fox).