The Colorado Buffs are in the hunt for a playoff spot. Yes, while Washington currently sits pretty in the top 4 of the Top 25 polls you also have Colorado looking to try and continue their push to potentially earn a berth in the big dance later this season. Meanwhile Arizona looks now to simply play spoilers the rest of the way and try to earn some respect in the Pac – 12 as they have yet take home a victory in conference play.
A Disappearing Act For the Offense
The Arizona offense has been terrible all season long and they have not shown any signs of improving at any point this year. Since scoring 47 points against Hawaii earlier this year the Wildcats have put up fewer points in every outing following that performance. Last week was the pinnacle as Arizona barely found their way into the endzone once with a touchdown in an absolute beat down at the hands of Washington State. The big news coming out of practice this week is that Rich Rodriguez has been discussing going back to Anu Solomon to start the game, which is a shocker considering how close to the chest the head coach has been about who his starting quarterback was going to be the last few weeks since both Solomon and Brandon Dawkins returned from injury. The hope is that giving Solomon the early start could get him into rhythm early and that is exactly what the offense needs to have right now if they expect to at least compete with their opponents in these final few weeks. Rumor has it though that Rodriguez will still play both throughout the game, making many to wonder if any kind of continuity can be obtained by going back to the two-quarterback system.
Looking Small Up Front
The Colorado Buffaloes are not like the rest of the Pac – 12 when it comes to their offensive approach. They like to run the ball and show dominance at the point of attack as they let their running backs break tackles at the second level. The only two games that the Buffs lost this season were when they ran for less than 100 yards. When they have been successful in the running game it has not been with small numbers though. They have broken the 200 yard threshold five times and the 300 yard mark once this year. With Arizona’s lack of size on the defensive front the team will look to get the early push and allow Phillip Lindsay to dominate as he has all year with his 10 rushing touchdowns. Arizona will have to do their best on offense to play the possession game and allow the defense to rest up and prepare for the next wave of run plays as the defense will surely be tired and sore after every Colorado drive in this game.
Same Old Buffs?
Since Rich Rodriguez took over the job four years ago he has not lost to the Colorado Buffaloes. Last season however came the first real threat to that record as the Buffalo almost found a way make the comeback a reality. Had it not been for a 21 point fourth quarter, the Wildcats would have likely lost that game as it ended in a 38 to 31 victory for the away team in that scenario. This year the Buffaloes will be traveling to Arizona where their last meeting was less dramatic. Arizona got out to an early lead and dropped 14 unanswered points in an 18 point victory in 2014. If history is anything to go by, Rich Rodriguez has a knack for coaching his team up by the fourth quarter for big scoring numbers to pull away from Colorado. Considering the lack of offense the past few weeks, it isn’t likely to happen again this year but in the end anything can happen on a football field these days.
The game will be played in Tucson, AZ this Saturday at 8:00 PM on FS1 for those looking to catch the kickoff.