COLORADO BUFFALOES (2-1, 0-0 Massive 12)
vs. BAYLOR BEARS (2-1, 0-0)
BOULDER — It has been some time for the reason that Colorado Buffaloes have gained two video games in a row — simply over a 12 months, in truth.
However Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ Buffs can create a two-game win streak Saturday with a victory over the Baylor Bears, who pay a go to to Folsom Discipline for a 6 p.m. nationally televised Homecoming matchup (Fox).
The sport marks CU’s Massive 12 opener because the Buffaloes make their return to the convention they known as residence earlier than leaping to the Pac-12 in 2011.
The Buffs are aiming to construct on the momentum and enchancment they confirmed in final weekend’s 28-9 win at Colorado State. The Bears are aiming for the same bump within the wake of a 31-3 win over Air Power per week in the past.
Colorado’s passing recreation may very well be the distinction on this one. Baylor has seen largely ground-oriented offenses this 12 months and this recreation ought to give CU’s receivers an opportunity to place up some numbers.
The nuts and bolts:
KICKOFF: 6 p.m., Folsom Discipline (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The sport can be televised by Fox with Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich. The radio broadcast can be carried within the Denver space on KHOW (630 am) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett within the sales space. Radio protection begins at 4 p.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The sport might be heard on the web at CUBuffs.com. Stay statistics can even be obtainable at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: School soccer and NFL Corridor of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is in his second 12 months at Colorado, the place he has a 6-9 report. Previous to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, the place he compiled a 27-6 report. Dave Aranda is in his fifth season at Baylor, the place he has compiled a 25-26 report.
THE SERIES: Colorado leads the all-time sequence 9-7, together with a 5-4 edge in Boulder.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner will leap out to a 1-0 report in Massive 12 play.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado’s offense is guided by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has thrown for 999 yards and 9 touchdowns. So far, Travis Hunter has been his favourite receiver (30 receptions, 342 yards, 5 touchdowns), however he has unfold the wealth properly. Different Buffs with double-digit catches embody LaJohntay Wester (14-158, 3 TDs), Jimmy Horn Jr. (14-246, 1) and Will Sheppard (12-143).
On the bottom, Micah Welch made his working again debut final week and now leads CU in speeding with 9 carries for 69 yards.
Defensively, cornerback DJ McKinney leads CU with 21 tackles and 4 go breakups. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley has 15 tackles, a sack, a compelled fumble and a fumble restoration; edge rusher Dayon Hayes leads CU in sacks with two; and Hunter has 11 tackles, an interception and two go breakups.
The Bears have used two quarterbacks this 12 months, with Dequan Finn beginning the primary two video games earlier than struggling an damage. Sawyer Robertson received the beginning in opposition to AFA and delivered 248 yards passing. The Bears have been stable on the bottom, with Dawson Pendergrass (30-144) and Richard Reese (35-140) main the best way. Michael Trigg is the one Bear with double-digit receptions (10-109).
Defensively, the Bears are led by linebackers Matt Jones (28 tackles) and Keaton Thomas (25 tackles, 1 interception). Three totally different Bears have at the least one sack.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado’s extensive receivers vs. Baylor secondary. The Bears have yielded simply 76 yards per recreation within the air this season, tops within the nation. However their opponents have additionally tried simply 46 passes. The Buffs could hit that quantity by themselves, as it is a good alternative for Colorado to place up some extra massive numbers within the passing recreation.
UP NEXT: The Buffs hit the highway subsequent Saturday for his or her longest journey of the 12 months after they head to Orlando, Fla., for a matchup with UCF.