In a college addition to Friday night lights, the Buffaloes will again face a ranked opponent in No. 14 Houston.
The season has been tough for Colorado (3-6, 1-5 Big 12). With one loss away from losing bowl eligibility, they are prepared to brawl with the Cougars (7-2, 4-2) at home. Focused on the game ahead, the team isn’t stuck in the past or future.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders still holds confidence in his team's ability to compete with a ranked foe.
“They got a quarterback, I feel like, he's one of the best in the country. They don't give him the credit that he deserves. He deserves a lot more,” Sanders said. “The kid can flat-out spin it. Don't make a lot of mistakes. They can run the football as well. Defensively, they got a couple loads up front.”
Looking at tonight's matchup, here are things Colorado can do to pull off an upset:
Rope in Weigman
The QB Coach Prime was referring to was Conner Weigman, who’s thrown for 2,280 yards and 22 passing touchdowns this season.
Even more impressively, he’s taken care of the football, only throwing two interceptions. With his legs, he’s also dangerous rushing for 279 yards and seven touchdowns. A true dual-threat and one of the nation’s top passers, Colorado will have to limit him to have a chance.
Whether it's a ferocious pass rush, a lockdown secondary, or a team effort to keep the QB contained, they can't let Weigman be the reason they beat them. Safety Randon Fontenette echoed the team’s respect of No. 1.
“Real experienced guy, played a lot of football, he's a winner if you look at his record,” Fontenette said. “[He] has that dog mentality. He's willing to put the team on his back. So it's gonna be a good challenge, but I feel like we got the guys that can go make it happen. We gotta make it happen.”
Create explosive plays
For the most part, Colorado’s defense has held up to their end of the bargain this season.
But the offense has had inconsistencies, keeping the team from succeeding. After scoring just one touchdown a week ago, they will need to do much better to keep up wth Houston’s 35.44 points per game.
One area they could improve in is splash plays. When the Buffs have 20+ yard gains, it equates to scoring drives. Last week against Arizona State, the Buffs had a 74-yard touchdown called back on the second drive, which could have sparked momentum.
They cannot shoot themselves in the foot and need to capitalize on explosive plays down the field. The offense has averaged 387 total yards per game and has shown the ability to be successful.
However, receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. believes it's on his teammates and him to make the plays come to life.
“The coaches can only do so much. They can only put us in position so much,” Moore said. “The players have to go out there and execute…The Go-Go is a very high-powered offense, and we're on the verge. The players just have to push it over the edge.”
Allowing QB Isaac Wilson to take the top off the defense could help set up the run game and create a more balanced attack.
Force a turnover (or two)
One thing the Buffs' defense could do to help out their offense is force more turnovers. Through nine games, the defense has forced just 10 turnovers (4 interceptions/6 fumbles), but the inconsistency in when they've done it has been what's hurt them.
At home, forcing Weigman to make a mistake could be a huge momentum swing and something Colorado has to stress. Giving the offense a shorter field can help take the pressure off of scoring and create the edge for Colorado.
Fontenette has acknowledged the emphasis on getting the football.
“It's been on everybody's mind, my mind,” Fontenette said. “It's kinda tough not getting the takeaways you feel like you set for yourself coming into the season. But it's all about the response, and you continue to work on it and continue to emphasize it.”
For the Buffs, it also means protecting the football themselves. With Isaac Wilson as starter, they haven't won a game when he's had a turnover, but are 1-0 when he has zero. Winning the turnover battle will be a way Colorado can defy the odds on Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. MT (ESPN).
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