COLORADO BUFFALOES (5-2, 3-1 Huge 12)
vs. CINCINNATI BEARCATS (5-2, 3-1)
BOULDER – When the Huge 12 media preseason ballot got here out final August, this sport wasn’t purported to imply a lot.
Colorado was picked to complete eleventh within the league; Cincinnati 14th.
However shock, shock: With 5 video games left within the common season, the 2 groups are amongst 4 tied for third within the Huge 12 race, only one sport behind co-leaders Iowa State and BYU.
Thus, there will probably be loads at stake Saturday night time at Folsom Subject in entrance of a nationwide tv viewers.
The winner will turn into bowl eligible and stay very a lot in rivalry for a berth within the Huge 12 title sport and the School Soccer Playoff bid that goes to the winner.
The loser must wait at the very least one other week to clinch bowl eligibility whereas additionally needing all types of assist to get again in rivalry for a convention title sport look.
The nuts and bolts:
KICKOFF: 8:25 p.m. (MT), Folsom Subject (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The sport will probably be televised by ESPN with Mark Jones and Roddy Jones within the sales space and Quint Kessenich on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will probably be carried on the Colorado Soccer Radio Community with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett within the sales space and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines. Radio protection begins at 6 p.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The sport may be heard on the web at CUBuffs.com. Reside statistics will even be accessible at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: School soccer and NFL Corridor of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is in his second yr at Colorado, the place he has a 9-10 report. Previous to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, the place he compiled a 27-6 report. Scott Satterfield is 8-11 in his second yr at Cincinnati and 84-59 general as a university head coach, with earlier stops at Appalachian State and Louisville.
THE SERIES: That is simply the second all-time assembly between the 2 applications. Colorado beat Cincinnati in Boulder, 56-14, in 1972.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner stays squarely in rivalry for a Huge 12 title sport berth whereas additionally turning into bowl eligible.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders continues to be one of the crucial productive quarterbacks within the nation. Sanders leads the Huge 12 in passer ranking (161.56) and completion share (72.7) whereas throwing for two,268 yards and 19 touchdowns to this point.
Sanders has a number of high quality receivers, with six Buffs with double-digit receptions. Two-way star Travis Hunter leads Colorado with 51 catches for 604 yards and 6 touchdowns, adopted by LaJohntay Wester (34-445, 7 touchdowns), Jimmy Horn Jr. (28-356, 1 landing) and Will Sheppard (26-384, 3 touchdowns).
Isaiah Augustave leads Colorado in dashing with 41 makes an attempt for 180 yards and two scores.
Defensively, security Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Nikhai Hill-Inexperienced every have 53 tackles. Silmon-Craig has 4 tackles for loss and a 95-yard fumble return for a rating whereas Hill-Inexperienced has six tackles for loss, together with two sacks. Preston Hodge, Colton Hood and Hunter every have two interceptions whereas Samuel Okunlola, BJ Inexperienced II and Taje McCoy every have three sacks.
For Cincinnati, quarterback Brendan Sorsby is No. 2 within the Huge 12 in passer ranking (152.08) whereas throwing for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns and likewise dashing for six scores. Working again Corey Kiner has rushed for 598 yards and two touchdowns. Extensive receiver Xzavier Henderson has 42 catches for 541 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Linebacker Jared Bartlett leads the Bearcats with 37 tackles, together with 4.5 sacks. Linebacker Antwan Peek Jr. additionally has 37 stops whereas defensive finish Eric Phillips has 4 sacks and nostril sort out Dontay Corleone has three. Security Josh Minkins leads UC with two interceptions.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado’s entrance seven vs. Cincinnati run sport. If the Buffs can include the Bearcats on first and second down and drive third-and-long conditions, they will put strain on Sorsby and drive some three-and-outs. That may little question give a sold-out Folsom Subject crowd some juice.
UP NEXT: The Buffs have subsequent weekend off earlier than returning to motion Nov. 9 with a sport at Texas Tech.