Fast Five: Keys For Buffs vs Trojans
November 10, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — In terms of offensive balance and explosiveness, the Colorado Buffaloes will see the best team they have faced all season when USC pays a Saturday afternoon visit to Folsom Field. Colorado defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said the Trojans are "as talented as team offensively as we've seen."
The 15th-ranked Trojans are equally talented on defense.
"They have a bunch of pro players," is how CU head coach Mike MacIntyre described the Trojans earlier this week. "They always have, they always will. They have the best recruiting spot of anybody in the country."
Colorado's history against USC has been well-documented over the last week. The Buffs are 0-11 all-time against the Trojans, including an 0-6 mark in Pac-12 play and 0-5 in Boulder.
But if the Buffs are to go bowling this season, they need at least one win in their last two games. They would no doubt like to get that under their belt Saturday in their home finale, when they will honor 21 seniors.
What the Buffs need to do to get that win:
1. Stop USC's rushing attack early and late. Yes, we know — this has been a constant theme just about all season, but there's a reason.
When the Buffs hold opponents under 150 yards rushing, they usually win — 9-1 since the beginning of last season. But in four of their five Pac-12 losses this year (UCLA is the exception), they have yielded an average of 310 yards per game on the ground.
But perhaps even more telling is that in those four losses, opponents have averaged more than 187 yards per game after halftime. Opponents have simply worn out the Buffs down the stretch.
Saturday, the Buffs must contend with dynamic Trojans back Ronald Jones, who has rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games. The Buffs have to tackle well and not give Jones a chance at the second level.
But CU's best defense against Jones might be keeping him off the field as much as possible, which leads us to …
2. Put together long, time-consuming scoring drives. This will achieve two goals: one, it will keep USC's offense off the field for long stretches; and two, it will keep USC's defense on the field at altitude.
If the Buffs are going to be in this one down the stretch, they will need a fresh defense on the field when it matters and a gassed USC defense. That means getting quarterback Steven Montez in rhythm early and keeping running back Phillip Lindsay moving forward at a steady rate.
3. Get some pressure on quarterback Sam Darnold. USC's preseason Heisman candidate has had an up-and-down season. He's thrown 22 touchdown passes, but has also tossed a league-high 11 interceptions and has lost six fumbles (tied for most in the nation).
Darnold isn't averse to taking chances. If the Buffs can get him off his spot and force him to throw into coverage — or force a fumble — they will have a chance for some momentum-shifting moments. Examples: Notre Dame forced three first-half turnovers against USC and sacked Darnold five times in a 49-14 win; Utah forced three first-half Darnold fumbles and held a 21-7 halftime lead before dropping a 28-27 decision.
4. Make every big play when the opportunity arises. The difference between CU's 5-5 season and a 7-3 record? Try two dropped passes in the end zone at UCLA (in a four-point loss), a couple of missed tackles down the stretch against Arizona (in a three-point loss) and two dropped touchdown passes last week against ASU (or a few missed tackles).
Those are the kinds of plays Colorado has to make against a team the caliber of USC. If they take advantage when the opportunity arises and make those plays, they will be in the game down the stretch.
5. Finish. More than anything else, this is the intangible that has been missing for much of the season. The Buffs have had their chances, but have been unable to close the deal on too many occasions.
On some instances it has been the offense; on others defense — and, yes, special teams have also chipped in. But the common thread has been an inability to wrap up a win when it has been in reach.
This would be a great weekend to begin rewriting that storyline.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
