Breaking down the Colorado Buffaloes - UCLA Bruins game

The Colorado Buffaloes overcame eight personal foul penalties to defeat UCLA in a low-scoring 20-10 affair last season in Boulder. Expect anything but low scoring in the Rose Bowl Saturday night.

UCLA (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12), behind the arm of junior Josh Rosen, leads the FBS in passing offense with over 450-yards per game. Will the Buffs (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) slow down this Bruins offense enough to escape Pasadena with a win? RalphieReport.com managing editor Jon Woods, and contributor Sam Metivier joined me via SLACK to discuss Colorado’s upcoming matchup vs. UCLA.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:01 PM]

Time for another Slack chat. The Colorado Buffaloes take on UCLA in Pasadena Saturday night. Initial thoughts?

Jon Woods [10:02 PM]

First thought is I don’t have a great feeling about this game.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:02 PM]

Why is that?

Jon Woods [10:03 PM]

UCLA’s backs are up against the wall and you would think they will come out ready to go. Second, has the Buffs offense came out and rolled over some of the other bad offenses that they’ve played this year? We haven’t seen it. I have some doubts that the Buffs are going to finally get it going on the road. Although I certainly hope they do.

Sam Metivier [10:04 PM]

Even if Sun Tzu's warriors had their backs against the wall, they would still be killed if they weren't skilled. These UCLA DBs (and their defense in general) are not good at all.

Jon Woods [10:06 PM]

That’s fair. What are you expecting going into tomorrow night?

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:07 PM]

Sam's right. Bruins rank last in rush defense among 129 FBS teams. Allowing over 300-yards per game. If the Buffs can get Phillip Lindsay and the ground game going, we have a good shot.

Sam Metivier [10:08 PM]

Assuming Coach Mac gives Lindsay his carries (not always a guarantee) I can see CU moving the ball fairly easily on the ground. Maybe then Montez can find some receivers deep

Jon Woods [10:08 PM]

The Buffaloes are currently 7.5 point underdogs. That’s quite a large number.

Sam Metivier [10:09 PM]

Yikes

Jon Woods [10:09 PM]

You guys are convincing me though. If [Steven] Montez can avoid turnovers there are going to be plenty of points out on the board.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:10 PM]

Josh Rosen and the Bruins are going to put up points. The Buffs run game might just be their best defense. Lindsay and company need to control the clock. Keep Rosen off the field.

Sam Metivier [10:11 PM]

"If Montez can avoid turnovers" is always a tricky sentence, but if there's any defense he can find himself against, it would be UCLA's.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:13 PM]

Are you a little worried about Lindsay getting most of the carries this season?

Sam Metivier [10:14 PM]

I try not to think about it. The depth isn't great and because the coaching staff doesn't (can't?) trust any other RBs, they desperately need Phil to stay healthy and fresh.

Jon Woods [10:16 PM]

I am. I don’t really get it. Between [Michael] Adkins and Beau [Bisharat] I feel like we can spread it out a bit. A rested Lindsay can be a force in the fourth quarter. I wonder if it’s just extreme faith in Phil or a lack of trust with the other guys.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:16 PM]

Agree Jon. UCLA would be the game to get others some more carries.

Sam Metivier [10:16 PM]

But aside from his freshman year, Adkins hasn't looked very explosive and he and Beau have struggled with fumbles.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:18 PM]

Let's switch gears to CU's secondary. They're going to be tested like never before. How do you think they've performed thus far through the first four games?

Jon Woods [10:20 PM]

[Isaiah] Oliver has certainly exceeded even some of our best expectations.

Sam Metivier [10:20 PM]

Isaiah Oliver is a god among mortals. Fo [Afolabi Laguda] and [Evan] Worthington have been great too and [Trey] Udoffia has shown promise.

Jon Woods [10:21 PM]

It doesn’t seem like there’s been much of a drop off from last year’s incredible secondary.

Sam Metivier [10:21 PM]

I'm not concerned that Oliver will be tested, but I'm worried if Udoffia will be exposed or if the safeties and LBs can contain the intermediate passing game, especially with UCLA's dangerous tight end.

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:24 PM]

Great point Sam. Caleb Wilson might be one of the best Tight Ends in the country. Although, Drew Lewis has played very well. I'd expect him to almost shadow Wilson, no?

Sam Metivier [10:25 PM]

Idk, the CU coaching staff does weird things and I'm half-expecting Rick Gamboa to be defending him for some reason.

Jon Woods [10:26 PM]

Anthony, I feel like we need to know your plan you watching a game that starts at 10:30?

Sam Metivier [10:27 PM]

Better question: how are you watching a Hawaii game that starts at 12:00?

Jon Woods [10:27 PM]

ROBERT. KEKAULA.

Sam Metivier [10:28 PM]

Diocemy Saint Juste

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:28 PM]

Sleep is overrated:) Alright guys. Final Predictions before we go...

Sam Metivier [10:29 PM]

Colorado wins 38-34. No, wait, 45-34. Isaiah Oliver runs back a Josh Rosen interception in the final minute.

Jon Woods [10:29 PM]

Colorado loses 31-27. F me why am I being negative? How about you?

Sam Metivier [10:30 PM]

Jon!

Jon Woods [10:30 PM]

I’m sorry! I don’t know why, I’m usually so positive. Also, go Cougars!

Anthony Kazmierczak [10:33 PM]

I like the Buffs over the Bruins 45-42 in another nail biter.

Jon Woods [10:33 PM]

I hereby hope you’re both right