Buffs Nate Landman swapped his street cloths for pads for a remarkable Victory formation. The Buffs defied the odds in their 20-17 win over Udub. The Buffs generated 4 turnovers, half as many as they have had all season, and escaped with the win.
Nate Landman, two-time Buff Heart award winner
Key Takes from CU-Washington
The Buffs won with help from turnovers and a timely 90 yard drive.
Colorado was outgained by 426-183, UW had 22 first downs to CU’s nine (14 third down conversions), 84 plays to the Buffs 52
CU benefitted from 4 turnovers, and CU did not have a turnover for the 6th game this year (Plati Notes)
Buffs only converted 2/23 third down (UW has Pac12 number 2 third-down defense (37.3%)
Washington’s top pass defense in the nation had no problem shutting down the Buffs passing game, (14/25 114 yrds)
Washington defense managed to stop the run (23/67 yrds, 2.6 per rush)
Buff pass protection was once again a problem 26.2, the tackle grades were very poor (1 sack, 11 pressures)
B-lew ADOT (6.06 yrds) TTT 3.01
Buff’s defense bended did not break (except on third down)
Stopped UW twice in the redzone 2-4, UW had previously scored on all 31 tries
Pff defensive ratings were in the green for first time all season
Transfers made impact, Robert Barnes (Fumble, Pick) was all over the field, Jack Lamb had scoop and score, made impact.
Carson Wells played outstanding (2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 6 hurries); Nikko Reed played impressively, key interception and highest rated defender (78.7), Other defensive standouts, Mekhi Blackman (77), Quinn Perry, Mark Perry (75.7); Christian Gonzales broke up several screen plays
Youth are shining, outside linebackers Alvin Williams, Devin Grant, and 4 freshman defensive backs played well
Previewing the Utes
Utah is ranked 16th and a heavy 24 point favorite over the Buffs. Coming off a 38-7 blowout of Oregon.
Physical team, Strong in trenches on both sides,
Number one offense in Pac12, number 2 defense in Pac-12
Utah’s 34 sacks rank top 20 nationally
Offense is similar in style to UCLA, led by powerful a running attack (pff 90) that features three very strong backs — #2 RB Bernard, #5 RB Pledger, and features #9 RB Thomas (%45 of carries)
Cameron Rising is a dual-threat QB and a dynamic player; Utah would be a top ten team if he started every game
Run the ball 75% and pass 25% when under center, flipped under shotgun 25%run, 75% pass
Defense runs 4-2-5 base
Features Devin Lloyd (LB) one of the top defenders in the country
Utah’s PBLK is their weakness although they do allot of designed roll-outs to mitigate that
By the Numbers
Utah has a decisive advantage:
FBS Power Rank UT 16 | CU 99;
PowerRank UT 7 | CU 102
RankSuccessRateOff UT 10 | CU 108
RankYardsPerPlayOffense UT 12 | CU 95
RankYardsPerPassOffense UT 31 | CU 90
RankYardsPerRushOffense UT 13 | CU 79
RankRushSuccessRateOff UT 17 | CU 76
RankYardsPerPlayDefense UT 15 | CU 76
RankYardsPerPassDefense UT 10 | CU 75
RankYardsPerRushDefense UT 32 | CU 89
RankSuccessRateDef UT 24 | CU 88
RankPassSuccessRateDef UT 33 | CU 90
RankRushSuccessRateDef UT 33 | CU 81
Keys for CU
Exploit Utah’s struggles in pass protection, Cameron Rising passer rating in clean pocket is 113 to 41 under pressure
Use protection heavy schemes to get passing game going
Design roll-outs and RPOs for BLew
Limit Utah’s explosive plays, don’t bend too much
Generate turnovers, special teams
Trick plays, empty the playbook, time for Matt Lynch pass
Utah is a model of continuity and stability….Kyle Whittingham has been at Utah for 17 years. The Defensive Coordinator has been at Utah for 14 years, and the OC is in his third year of his second stint at Utah.
Utah game will likely be the last game for some great Buffs, Nate Landman, Mustafa Johnson, Carson Wells (we’d welcome your return!), Colby Purcell, Matt Lynch, Brady Russell
Great to experience Folsom this year with Family and Friends
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