Statistical Comparison - Colorado Buffaloes Vs Utah Utes

Advantage	Conf	National	Actual	Category	Actual	National	Conf
	Rank	Rank				Rank	Rank
	9	105	108.67	Rushing Offense	141.55	79	7
	9	56	235.42	Passing Offense	170.36	101	12
	11	96	344.08	Total Offense	311.91	109	12
	12	109	20	Scoring Offense	25.55	71	9
	12	97	191.83	Rushing Defense	97.27	9	2
	12	114	157.09	Pass Efficiency Defense	113.7	19	1
	11	104	453.08	Total Defense	341.45	28	3
	12	117	38.42	Scoring Defense	19.91	20	1
	7	36	37.93	Net Punting	38.26	30	5
	10	104	4.67	Punt Returns	7.68	70	6
	12	115	18.6	Kickoff Returns	22.60	43	5
	10	80	-.25	Turnover Margin	.82	16	2
	8	97	261.25	Pass Defense	244.18	85	5
	11	82	123.53	Passing Efficiency	124.2	79	9
	8	47	2.08	Sacks	2.55	23	4
	8	85	5	Tackles For Loss	5.82	57	5
	10	91	2.5	Sacks Allowed	2.45	89	9

Hmm... That certainly doesn't paint a pretty picture does it? Not quite sure I want to write that much about the graphic above. It's rather nauseating...

 Whoa. I had no idea that the Utes' defense was that good. I knew they had a tough D thanks to a very strong defensive line, but I didn't know that it was that good. Putting up numbers like that in the Pac-12, even if it's is devoid of the Oregon and Stanford offensive attacks, is really impressive. Utah is number 9 in the nation in rushing defense and 20th scoring D. 

  First of all, Colorado has zero chance in this game if the Buffaloes offense is as inept as it was against UCLA. Zero. Chance. But, if we see an offense like we did against Cal, Washington State and Arizona, this could be a pretty interesting game. The Buffs haven't really had a slow, slug it out, low-scoring type game like this could turn out to be. If the Colorado defense is clicking and can slow down John White IV this could turn out to be fun, but that's a BIG if.  

 The Utah offense is the only one in the Pac-12 worse than Colorado's, but don't be fooled into thinking the Utes won't put up points on Saturday. The Buffs passing game is going to have to work this weekend. Both Toney Clemons and Paul Richardson will need to contribute and Hansen won't have a lot of time to get them the ball. My biggest key to this contest is the screen game to Rodney Stewart. If Eric Bienemy can get that going again, and hopefully counter the Utah pass rush, CU may be able to get the offense moving.