Colorado University Athletics
Friday's Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Oregon State
September 30, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
CU needs another quick start in conference home opener
BOULDER — After an emotional win at Oregon, a game that wasn't decided until Ahkello Witherspoon's interception with 48 seconds left in the game, the 3-1 Colorado Buffaloes can't afford a step back.
Nobody in the CU locker room is expecting one. This is a squad loaded with veterans who have done a very good job thus far of keeping their eyes squarely focused on the task at hand. They responded from an opening win over rival Colorado State with a solid performance and easy win over Idaho State; then bounced back from a loss at Michigan to produce a big win over the Ducks.
It would be surprising if we see anything different Saturday at Folsom Field, when the Buffs play host to Oregon State (12:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks) in their conference home opener.
The Buffs aren't looking ahead, and neither are they basking in the glow of last week's win. As head coach Mike MacIntyre has said repeatedly, every team in the Pac-12 is good and every team has good players.
In other words, the Buffs are well-aware that they can't sleep on Oregon State. The Beavers beat Colorado 36-31 in their last visit to Folsom, and played the Buffs down to the wire a year ago in Corvallis before CU's Chidobe Awuzie clinched a 17-13 victory with an interception with just 24 seconds to go.
The two teams also have a common opponent. Colorado beat Idaho State 56-7 in Week 2; Oregon State bounced the Bengals 37-7 a week later.
What the Buffs must accomplish Saturday to go to 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2007 (also the last time the Buffs played in a bowl game):
1. Throw some big punches early. This is something the Buffs have done well in all four games thus far, outscoring opponents 72-14 in the first quarter, and it's something they definitely need to do against the Beavers.
What Colorado doesn't want to happen is to give Oregon State any kind of early momentum. OSU showed it has comeback potential — the Beavers rallied from a 31-7 deficit last week to come up with a respectable 38-24 final result against Boise State — and they are a team desperate for some good news. Give them a chance to get up early and they could make it a long afternoon for the Buffs.
It's the type of game in which Colorado needs to establish control early, get the crowd into the game, and make it difficult for Oregon State to build any confidence.
2. Pressure the quarterback. The Beavers have already given up 13 sacks this year, including six to Boise State last weekend.
The Buffs, meanwhile, have put together a solid pass rush thus far, with nine sacks to show for the season, including three in each of the last two games against quality offensive lines.
They need to add to that total this weekend. The Beavers are expected to start Darrell Garretson at quarterback, but it's possible Colorado will also see freshman Conor Blount. If either has time to throw, Oregon State does have some quality receivers in Seth Collins (9 catches for 106 yards last week) and Victor Bolden (3 for 60 last year against CU). Bolden is a big-play guy who can turn a short pass into a long gain, and he has deep-ball ability also.
Neither of the OSU quarterbacks is particularly nimble or much of a threat to run. If the Buffs can push the pocket and get some pressure from the edge, they can make it a long day for the Oregon State quarterbacks and keep the passing threat to a minimum.
3. Win the special teams battle. Yes, the Buffs were better against the Ducks — but a blocked extra point early in the game still forced them to have to go for two on their last touchdown.
That's not a situation they want to be in too often.
Colorado's punt protection/coverage team was better — much better — at Oregon, and the kick coverage team was solid. But OSU's Bolden is a dangerous kick returner. He's averaging more than 40 yards per attempt, and had a 99-yard return for a touchdown vs. Boise State.
One thing is certain: every team remaining on CU's schedule will be doing its best to exploit any possible Buffs weakness on special teams. Colorado took a big step from Week 3 to Week 4 in that area; if the Buffs can do that again this week they'll be in good shape.
4. Extend their takeaway streak. The Buffs have produced at least one defensive takeaway in 17 straight games, the nation's longest such streak. Last week, they waited until the final minute to keep the streak alive, but it was one of the most important plays of the game.
The Beavers have been stingy in the turnover department. They've lost only three fumbles all year and have thrown just one interception. While their offense hasn't been firing on all cylinders regularly, they haven't been compounding the problem by giving the ball away.
Takeaways — especially at home — are a great way to get a crowd into the game. Get one or two early against Oregon State, and it will go a long way in taking the Beavers out of the game.
5. Treat game as if it's most important game of the year. The Buffs need to do this because right now, that's exactly what it is.
Lose this one and last week's win over Oregon immediately loses its punch and nobody's paying attention to Colorado.
As we said in the beginning, these Buffs have been very good in neither looking ahead nor behind — but to be honest, this is new territory for the Buffs. They are strong favorites in a conference game, something that hasn't happened since they entered the Pac-12.
This is still a team without a large margin for error and t he Beavers have playmakers — enough to make life tough on the Buffs if they don't play well.
Throughout the week, MacIntyre reminded his players that they are now the hunted. In this game, at least, they won't have the luxury of the underdog role.
The good news is the Buffs had a solid week of practice and showed absolutely nothing resembling overconfidence. Rather, they approached each day with the same businesslike attitude that they've had to this point.
What we have seen from the Buffs to this point is a team with a singular purpose, a team that remembers the adversity of past seasons and has built on that. If Colorado can continue to play that way against the Beavers, the Buffs should produce positive results.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
