Buffs Seek First Pac-12 Win At UCLA
September 30, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
PASADENA, Calif. — Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre's formula for a win Saturday against UCLA in the Rose Bowl (8:30 p.m., ESPN2) is simple.
"We're going to have to slow them down and we're going to have to score points to be able to hang with UCLA," MacIntyre said earlier this week.
Of course, the task of executing that game plan will be easier said than done for the 3-1 Buffs (0-1 Pac-12), simply because nobody has managed to halt the 2-2, 0-1 Bruins this year. UCLA is averaging 45 points per game this season, mostly on the arm of quarterback Josh Rosen, who is averaging 440 yards and four touchdowns passing per game. Meanwhile, CU's offense has yet to display the kind of consistency Buffs fans, coaches and players expected when the season began, averaging 26.3 points per game, including a 10-point total in last week's loss to Washington.
But if the Buffs are going to make sure they stay in the hunt for contention in the Pac-12 South, Saturday's game against the division foe Bruins is a great starting point. The winner of Saturday night's game will be no worse than one game behind the division leader in the loss column; the loser could be staring at a two-game deficit.
The game poses a pair of interesting matchups: a UCLA offense that has been nearly unstoppable against a CU defense that has played well; and a Buffs offense still searching for consistency against a UCLA defense that is giving up more than 44 points and 524.8 yards per game.
What those matchups produce is anyone's guess, but we do know this much: recent history suggests the game will go down to the fourth quarter, as the last three contests between the two haven't been decided until late in the game.
"I think it's always a good game to tune in to watch," MacIntyre said. "Usually it's been close, most of the time it's been high scoring. … They're always well coached and it's always a tough game. The last few games it seems like we match up and it's back and forth. I imagine that this Saturday it'll be the same way."
Last season, the Buffs took care of a number of "streaks" that had haunted the program in recent years, ranging from the first winning season in a decade to ending a five-game losing streak to UCLA. One they would like to end this season is a losing stretch in Southern California. Colorado has lost its last six games in Los Angeles, a streak that includes three losses to USC in the Coliseum and three to UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
Containing Rosen is obviously the Buffs' biggest concern. It will mean getting some pressure on him whenever possible — not easy, considering the Bruins have given up just eight sacks all year — and also limiting big plays. Rosen has completed 11 passes of 30 yards or longer, four for touchdowns.
Offensively, the Buffs must put together consistent production for four quarters, something that has evaded them thus far.
A week ago, Colorado showed a great glimpse of what its offense is capable of achieving with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive to open the game against Washington — but it proved to be the Buffs' only touchdown of the night. CU ended up being its own worst enemy in the 37-10 loss, committing three turnovers and adding a blocked punt to the equation, with the Huskies converting those miscues into 17 points.
If the Buffs can consistently put together long drives, it will keep Rosen off the field, eat up clock and — hopefully — put points on the board. A big key to that will be steady play from an offensive line that has yet to completely gel, in part because of lineup shuffles due to suspensions and injuries. CU has yet to start the line most thought would be the starting lineup from Day One. If that line finds its rhythm, it could mean a big day for running back Phillip Lindsay. The Bruins have been particularly susceptible to the run this year, giving up more than 300 yards per game on the ground.
"We're going to have to play better on the offensive line," MacIntyre said. "I thought we held our own (vs. Washington), but we have to play much better and be able to create more points — and that goes for everybody on offense."
While quarterback Steven Montez did have three interceptions last week (one that went directly through the hands of intended receiver Lindsay), the Buffs sophomore has still been overall an accurate passer. He completed nearly 80 percent of his throws vs. Washington (21-for-27) and has a 70.3 percent completion rate for the year (90-for-128). But he also has just six touchdowns and six interceptions, a ratio that must improve if the offense is going to ramp up its consistency.
"It's coming," said co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren. "Sometimes you want it to be quicker, but you watch the entire game and see a lot of the plays and things he's making. I do like the development, you just want him to get there quicker. You want him to play a little more consistent."
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver vs. UCLA wide receiver Darren Andrews. Last week, Oliver made UW star Dante Pettis a non-factor, limiting him to just three catches. This week, he'll have his hand full with Andrews, who has already caught 32 passes for 457 yards (14.3 per catch) and seven touchdowns. … CU linebacker Drew Lewis vs. UCLA tight end Caleb Wilson, who has 32 catches for 425 yards and one touchdown. If Lewis can keep Wilson under wraps, it will take away one of Rosen's favorite targets, especially on third-down situations.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Colorado's front seven. The Buffs need to get consistent pressure on Rosen without having to gamble too often with blitzes, which Rosen can spot in a hurry and exploit. At the same time, CU can't afford to let the Bruins get their running game going, which means CU's big men in the middle need to keep the rush attack in check without needing too much help from elsewhere.
THE SERIES: CU trails the all-time series 9-3, including a 1-5 record in Los Angeles. The Buffs' last win at the Rose Bowl came in 2002, when Colorado knocked off No. UCLA 31-17.
NUTS AND BOLTS:
Kickoff: 8:36 p.m., Rose Bowl.
Broadcast: The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2 with Mark Jones (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (color) and Quint Kessenich (sidelines). The radio broadcast will be carried by AM 760 KDSP with Mark Johnson, Gary Barnett and Mike Pritchard.
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
