:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3390355/6733480.0.jpg)
 1-9, (1-6)
NR (AP)
NR (Coaches Poll) |
November 17th, 2012 |
6-4, (4-3)
NR (AP) NR (Coaches Poll) |
The Huskies have struggled this season on the road, often playing down to the level of competition. How can the Buffaloes pull off the upset?
Continue the ground assault
Last week, the Buffaloes were able to get the running game going against a Wildcat defense that statistically, is very similar to the Huskies against the rush. Former Upland teammates Christian Powell and Donta Abron combined for 200 yards rushing in the first game that the Buffaloes seemed to really have something going on offense in weeks. In front of the home crowd, Eric Bienemy needs to continue to feed these two freshman the ball.
Let Connor Wood air it out
Of all the quarterbacks on this roster (with maybe the exception of Shane Dillon, but that's debatable), Connor Wood has more raw talent than them all. Last week, I called for a conservative game plan to help ease Nick Hirschman into the flow of the game. For Wood this week, I want the opposite. Let's see if going to a bit of a "playground" style can actually help the young QB. Get the running game moving and then allow Wood to throw the deep play-action. Let Gerald Thomas run something other than a short screen and see if be can beat the coverage. Wood has struggled with some of the intricacies of running a college offense. Lets just let kid air it out.
Fluster and confuse Keith Price
Huskies quarterback Keith Price has taken a step back in his junior campaign after many expected him to reach new heights after a fantastic sophomore season. He has started to put it all together in recent weeks and he capped it off with a fantastic two touchdown, 277 yard performance against the Utes last week. Most importantly, he threw no interceptions. Now we know that the Buffs defense is going to have to play significantly better than the did last week in order the Colorado to have any chance to steal this game. But most importantly, the pass rush can not allow Price to get comfortable in the pocket. Whether the sack total is high or not, Price should feel the pass rush coming every single play.
Show some pride, from both units
Last week, against an admittedly weaker defense, the Buffaloes offense finally put together a performance that didn't make us hang our heads in shame. However, the defense squandered any chance we may have had at winning by playing an absolutely atrocious game that had fans calling the effort and will of certain players into question. This defense can play much better than we saw last week and the Huskies offense does not have the firepower that Arizona's does. The defense has to keep the Buffs in the game so that the offense has the opportunity to pull us ahead.
What are your keys to today's game?