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Colorado Buffaloes Vs. Fresno State Bulldogs: A Statistical Preview

Holy crap look at all those Buffaloes!

Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

http://nbccollegefootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/pac-12-logo.jpg?w=168 http://cdn.onlinecommercegroup.com/small/fresno_state_logo.gif
Advantage Conf National Actual Category Actual National Conf
Rank Rank Rank Rank
http://cdn.onlinecommercegroup.com/small/fresno_state_logo.gif height= 10 105 96.5 Rushing Offense 121.5 90 9
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 3 8 370.5 Passing Offense 332 19 3
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 8 44 467 Total Offense 453.5 47 3
http://cdn.onlinecommercegroup.com/small/fresno_state_logo.gif height= 6 33 39.5 Scoring Offense 46.5 16 1
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 4 13 77 Rushing Defense 183.5 82 5
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 5 28 163..47 Pass Efficiency 145.02 51 3
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 6 34 317.5 Total Defense 479.5 106 11
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 10 65 25.5 Scoring Defense 38 107 10
http://cdn.onlinecommercegroup.com/small/fresno_state_logo.gif height= 8 103 32.55 Net Punting 40.93 26 3
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 5 37 8.5 Punt Returns 25.29 6 1
http://cdn.onlinecommercegroup.com/small/fresno_state_logo.gif height= 6 85 19.64 Kickoff Returns 21.78 58 4
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 5 27 1 Turnover Margin -.5 82 7
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 10 80 240.5 Pass Defense 296 101 10
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 7 28 102.1 Passing Efficiency Defense 159.6 105 12
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 8 67 1.5 Sacks .8 73 4
http://www.viewfromrockytop.com/wp-images/logos/colorado_logo.png 9 78 5 Tackles For Loss 5.64 9 1
http://cdn.onlinecommercegroup.com/small/fresno_state_logo.gif height= 10 90 2.5 Sacks Allowed 9 8 1


You guys, this is so much better than last year. Of course, this was the game last year that ruined the Buffs statistically for the rest of the season (although it certainly wasn't the only one...). Let's dig into the numbers and see what we can learn.

Neither team has had success on the ground through their first two games and both have high-powered aerial attacks that should be back and forth all day so the running game takes a back seat here right? Well, if one of these teams can get it going on the ground then they should have the upper hand just by keeping the opposing offense off the field. The opponents aren't quite comparable (Cal Poly is the worst, but Rutgers is the best), but it looks like CU should have an easier time running the ball then the Bulldogs.

In fact almost (we'll get to that in a bit) every defensive statistic for Fresno is abysmal. Total defense is 106th in the country and they haven't played a team that warrants those kind of numbers. DeRuyter is an offensive guy (this is sarcasm, for the Fresno newbies) and that's where this teams strength lies. If the Buffs are smart with the ball, they shouldn't have ANY issue putting up points at home.

This game is going to be a HUGE test for the CU secondary. The Bulldogs have receivers all over the field that can and will make plays. The Buffs are going to have to get pressure on Carr and it isn't going to be an easy task. The Bulldogs are 9th in the country in Sacks Allowed, which is pretty mind-blowing when you consider how much they throw.

The Buffs haven't been so good at protecting Connor Wood and they've had trouble blocking for the run game. Well Fresno is 9th in the country at Tackles for Loss. It's the one thing on defense that they have done well so far. Not an exciting combo.

You know how the Buffs have been terrible covering kickoffs and punts so far this season? Well the Bulldogs are pretty good at returning them. Look for special teams to be another huge key to this game (basically written my keys to the game post already!).