Buffs Open Pac-12 Play With Title Game Rematch Vs. Huskies

BOULDER — It's not an exaggeration to say the Colorado Buffaloes have been waiting for Saturday's Pac-12 opener against Washington for the last nine months.

Fact is, the Buffs were looking ahead to their Pac-12 opener even before they knew it would involve the defending conference champs in a rematch of last year's title game.

The Huskies being on the docket simply adds a little more juice to the atmosphere.

"I think everyone in this locker room thinks we have a little unfinished business from last year," CU senior left tackle Jeromy Irwin said after last weekend's win over Northern Colorado. "We didn't finish last year the way we wanted to, either in the championship game (a 41-10 loss to the Huskies) or in the bowl game (a 38-8 loss to Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl). I think there's a little redemption out there for us, and now we get a shot at a really good team with really good players and really good coaches."

After a 3-0 nonconference start, the Buffs will no doubt get their toughest test of the season against seventh-ranked UW. The 3-0 Huskies bring a veteran, high-powered offense, a stellar defense and potent special teams to the matchup.

" I definitely believe they are better than they were last year," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "Their quarterback (Jake Browning) is throwing the ball better. He was a little banged up going into our game last year I thought. Watching him as the season's gone along, he's throwing it really well…. They're an excellent football team. I've been impressed with how they're clicking and how they're doing in every phase."

The Buffs have a simple goal in mind: prove that last year's 8-1 conference finish and Pac-12 South title was not an aberration. They began fall camp with the stated goal of returning to the title game, and they will find out in a hurry just how they match up against one of the nation's elite teams.

"I wouldn't say this game is about revenge, I think it's about proving to ourselves that we're capable of playing in the Pac-12 and we're capable of playing for a Pac-12 Championship," Buffs cornerback Isaiah Oliver said. "That starts this Saturday. Opening up Pac-12 play, we know that we have to take our game to the next level. … I feel like we've been preparing for Pac-12 play ever since we lost last year against Oklahoma State. This is something we've been working for, getting ready to get back to the Pac-12 Championship. All of the guys are excited and fired up and ready to go."

The Huskies have won seven straight true road games (not counting neutral sites), including their season opener this year at Rutgers. They also own home wins over Montana and Fresno State, but just like the Buffs, they expect the level of competition to be ramped up considerably Saturday.

"We know it changes it," UW head coach Chris Petersen said. "It changes dramatically. We are going into a truly hostile environment. ... This will be a big challenge. Heck of a way to open up the Pac-12 season."

Because the two teams played just nine months ago, and because there are plenty of returning players on both squads, there are precious few secrets on either side. The Buffs will technically be starting a new quarterback in sophomore Steven Montez, but the Huskies got a look at Montez in last year's game when he came in for an injured Sefo Liufau and directed the Buffs to their only touchdown of the game.

"He (Montez) is similar to Liufau," Petersen said. "We saw it last year when they both played. They are big, strong, physical tough guys, not afraid to run the ball. That's part of their game, running him as a quarterback, as a running back. Also scrambling around and finding receivers open. They've got those three returning really good receivers, couple more than that, in fact. They've got an experienced, experienced receiver crew, and the running back (Lindsay). It's a group that's seen a lot."

The Buffs, meanwhile, know they'll see a seasoned defense with a pair of monster defenders up front in Vita Vea (6-foot-5, 340 pounds) and Greg Gaines (6-2, 322). The Buffs will also have to contend with outstanding linebacker Azeem Victor and an experienced safety in Taylor Rapp, who had a pair of interceptions last year against Colorado, including one for a touchdown that opened the floodgates for a 27-3 Washington second-half scoring surge.

Defensively, the Buffs will have their eye on Browning, wide receiver/punt returner Dante Pettis (three punt returns for touchdowns this year and three touchdown receptions) and running back Myles Gaskin (three rushing TDs, 6.4 yards per carry average).

"When you have a great quarterback like they do, a lot of the offense back and some defensive players back, they're going to be a solid team," Lindsay said. "They handle business. (But) at the end of the day, we have to worry about ourselves. They have to come get us, too."

MATCHUP TO WATCH: Colorado's Oliver vs. UW's Pettis. The Huskies will no doubt test the Buffs deep and the most likely target for Browning will be Pettis, who already has a 73-yard reception this year. Pettis, who has three punt returns for touchdowns in three games this year (eight for his career) also threw a 39-yard completion last week.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Colorado's offensive line. If the Buffs are going to establish some offensive rhythm, it has to begin up front. CU had trouble running the ball in their last meeting (82 yards total). If the Buffs can spring Lindsay loose early for some gains, it will force the Huskies to respect the run — and open up CU's passing lanes.

THE SERIES: Washington has a 10-5-1 all-time lead in the series: 4-1 in Boulder, 4-3-1 in Seattle and 2-1 at neutral sites. The Huskies have won all five games since CU joined the Pac-12 and seven in a row overall. Colorado's last win over the Huskies came in the 1996 Holiday Bowl, when CU collected a 33-21 win. CU's only victory in Boulder came in 1990, when a Deon Figures interception in the end zone clinched a 20-14 Buffs win.

NUTS AND BOLTS:

Kickoff: 8:07 p.m., Folsom Field.

Broadcast: The game will be televised nationally by FS1 with Tim Brando (play by play), Spencer Tillman (color) and Holly Sonders (sideline).The radio broadcast will be carried by AM 760 KDSP with Mark Johnson, Gary Barnett and Andy Lindahl.

In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu