 0-1, 0-0
NR (AP) NR (Coaches Poll) |
September 8th, 2012 |
 0-1, 0-0
NR (AP) NR (Coaches Poll) |
The Buffaloes kicked off the 2012 season with an unspeakable loss to the Colorado State Rams. An early 14-3 lead quickly disintegrated into an ugly 22-17 loss thanks to stupid mistakes and a failure to adjust. Now Colorado heads back to Boulder in a must-win situation against a FCS team that was pummeled in a road game at New Mexico State in the opener. What will it take to hit .500?
Young corners step up
Fun, fun, fun. Two true freshmen cornerbacks starting in their second game amongst the college ranks. It may be against a FCS team, but Sacramento State can and will throw the football. Hornets quarterback Garrett Saffron went 23 for 35 for 308 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the opener at New Mexico State. Three receivers went for over 70 yards. No one is implying that the Aggies have any kind of stalwart secondary, but Buffs corners Kenneth Crawley and Yuri Wright (starting in place of Greg Henderson, who is sitting out with an ankle injury) will be tested... and Colorado needs them to pass.
Get the damn running game going
58 yards against the Colorado State Rams. 41 if you take away a 17-yard rush out of Gerald Thomas (of course there were -23 yards from Jordan Webb sacks). This team will not win a single game this year if they can't get at least a decent rushing attack going. There isn't the experience at receiver to get open and make plays if the defense has no fear of the running game. If Tony Jones can't get the yards then it's time for an extended look at Malcolm Creer, D.D. Goodson, or even one of the freshmen. 100 yards has to be the minimum.
Pressure Garrett Saffron non-stop
Even though the Hornets lost 49-19, Saffron was only sacked 1 time. The Buffaloes took down CSU quarterback Garrett Grayson three times, but it should have been more. The Buffaloes need the keep Saffron guessing with pressure from multiple places. This is a significantly tougher place to play than Las Cruces and the crowd and Derrick Webb, Doug Rippy and CHUD in his face should hopefully send some turnovers Colorado's way.
Forget about Colorado State
It's done with. Colorado fell to the in-state rival in the "nothing to gain, everything to lose" game. Well there's still a ton more to be lost this year if the Buffs can't put it behind them. Win today, and there's still a shot at coming out of non-conference with a 2-1 record and a shot at a bowl game. Lose... well, we aren't going to talk about what will happen if the Buffaloes lose. Jon Embree and the players have all talked about moving on from the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Now it's time to come out and prove it.
What are your keys to today's game?