Colorado Buffaloes Vs Oregon Ducks - Keys To The Game

1-6, 0-3 NR (AP) NR (Coaches Poll)

October 22nd, 2011 Who: Colorado Buffaloes vs. Oregon Ducks Where: Folsom Field - Boulder, CO 1:30pm MT TV: Root Sports Radio: AM 850 KOA Live Stats:  ESPN Line: Oregon -31 Weather: Partly Cloudy, 70 degrees at kickoff

5-1, 3-0 #9 (AP) #8 (Coaches Poll)

The Buffaloes are back in Boulder for this year's homecoming game with a 1-6 record and an injury list that has reached unimaginable lengths. Who is the opponent today? One of the top two teams in the Pac-12 conference. A high powered Oregon Ducks team with an offense that won't hesitate to drop 40-50 points on average defenses. The Buffs will need some Folsom Field magic to keep this game close today, here are a few keys that can help make that happen. 

Continue to Feed Tony Jones the Ball

With Rodney Stewart, Paul Richardson and Kyle Cefalo all out on the offensive side of the ball, the Buffs will need a big game from the redshirt freshman. Eric Bienemy can't forego the running game early in this one if Colorado isn't finding immediate success and Tony Jones will need to run hard and break the first tackle. Give us hope for the future, Tony. 

Maintain Defensive Assignments

With an offensive system that is looks complex, but is fundamentally rather simple, the Oregon Ducks take advantage of defensive mistakes and miscues to quickly put points on the board. The Buffaloes defense will have to play sound football and must stick to their assignments. With Doug Rippy out for the game, freshman linebacker Brady Daigh will have to give Colorado a solid replacement. 

Limit the Big Play

Just like last week, the Buffaloes must keep Oregon and their extremely fast skill position players from breaking the big play in the open field. CU will need 2-3 guys in on as many tackles as possible they can't let the Ducks get to the second level. If Oregon is going to score, Colorado must keep them to long, sustained drives. 

Continue the Strong Play At Folsom

Even though both of the games ended in heartbreaking fashion, the 2011 Buffaloes (much like the squads over the past 4 years) have looked like a different team at Folsom Field this year. In order for Colorado to keep this one competitive, they will have to continue that home transformation while limiting the inability to convert red zone trips to touchdowns that plagued them early against California and Washington State.