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 2-1, 0-1
NR (AP) NR (Coaches Poll) |
October 5th, 2013 |
 4-0, 1-0
#2 (AP) #2 (Coaches Poll) |
Can the Buffs make it a game in Boulder today? It will be interesting to see how they respond from a rough road outing last week. Perhaps this story should be called "keys to a cover" but I'm holding out hope that Colorado can stay in the game and at least make it a contest.
Get back to confident Connor
Connor Wood took a major step back last week at Oregon State after opening the season looking like a completely different quarterback than we saw last season. In Corvallis he looked nervous and uncomfortable showing little in the way of accuracy or touch until he put up some yards in garbage time. In addition, the playcalling wasn't nearly as good as it had been through the first two weeks. Hopefully being back in Boulder will settle Wood down and get him back to being the leader that we saw in weeks one and two.
Embrace Michael Adkins
The one positive from last week's blowout was the resurgence of the running game thanks to true freshman Michael Adkins getting his first college experience. Finishing with 98 yards on 14 carries, Adkins ran hard and fast and looked much more capable than anyone we saw carry the ball this season. Adkins should see the field plenty today and I love the idea that Coach MacIntyre mentioned of getting him and Christian Powell on the field at the same time. Powell has shown that he probably isn't going to be a feature back (at least with this offensive line) but he can still make plays and can add another dimension to the ground game.
Eat up the clock. All of the clock.
For goodness sakes do not force this defense to live out on the field. Oregon can score quickly and from anywhere. This Colorado offense can not go three and out (like we saw at Oregon State) and send the defense right back out onto the field. They must move the ball as they did late in the game at OSU. Run the ball, eat up the clock and let's get in and out with everyone intact. If we manage to stay in it, all the better.
Take advantage of the two's and three's
The odds that Colorado will see deep in to Oregon's deep chart today are good. Take advantage of it. Move the ball, score some points. Gain some confidence. Mark Helfrich hopefully isn't a run of the score type of coach, especially with the history in Boulder. The Buffs should be able to score late in this game. Don't let the opportunity go to waste.
What are your keys to today's game?
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