Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Rams

BOULDER — One year ago, the Colorado Buffaloes provided their in-state rivals with their worst possible nightmare in the span of one half of football.

In the season opener for both teams, Colorado forced six consecutive three-and-outs by the Colorado State offense to open the game. By the end of the first quarter, the Rams had a paltry 10 yards total offense. CSU didn't collect a first down until the 10:23 mark of the second quarter. By halftime, the Buffs held a comfortable 31-0 lead, a cushion they rode to a 44-7 win that served as a springboard to a 10-4, Pac-12 South championship season.

But that was last year.

Nobody — from either side — is expecting anything similar in Friday night's matchup (6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks). The Rams bring a veteran offense to this year's game against a CU defense that is talented but untested at a number of positions while the Buffs bring a potent offense to face off against an opportunistic CSU defense.

Perhaps even more importantly, the Rams bring a boatload of confidence and game experience into the contest, thanks to their 58-27 opening game win over Oregon State. The Buffs, meanwhile, have no such game experience under their belts.

Thus, this season's first edition of Friday's Fast Five Keys for the Buffs (brought to you on Thursday this week):

1. Shake the rust off in a hurry. As mentioned earlier, the Rams have a big advantage in one department here: they have already had the opportunity to get rid of the first-game jitters. Those mistakes that pop up most often in a season opener — procedure penalties, simple missed assignments, alignment issues — are out of the way. They have also had the chance to play at "game speed," something that simply can't be fully simulated in practice. They've hit and they've been hit at full speed.

The Buffs are still waiting for all those things — and the quicker they get up to game speed, the better. For CU's veteran players, it won't be a problem. But there are several Buffs who have yet to start a Division I game, and a handful who have never played in front of a sizable crowd. How quickly the Buffs can shake off the offseason rust and adjust to the atmosphere will be a factor.

2. Put pressure on Rams QB Nick Stevens. Nobody is expecting Stevens to suffer through another night like he had in his last start vs. the Buffs (6-for-20, 31 yards, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks). But the Buffs don't want Stevens to repeat last week's effort, when he had all day to throw and shredded the Oregon State defense (334 yards, 3 TDs).

The key for the Buffs will be to keep him off his spot, collapse the pocket, make him move his feet and hurry his throws.

It won't be easy. Stevens has significantly improved his release time and the Rams have devised a variety of formations and schemes designed to get the ball to favorite receiver Michael Gallup in a hurry. Still, if the Buffs can get Stevens on the move — particularly with just their front three or four defenders — it will make his life much more difficult.

3. Establish a running game early. Yes, this is one of those areas the Buffs want to accomplish every week, but it may be a little more important on Friday simply because the Rams know the Buffs are bringing a high-powered passing game into the fray.

Last week, CSU expected OSU to try to pound the ball and the Rams were ready for the run. In turn, that left their secondary somewhat exposed.

But the guess here is that the Rams this week will be focused on making sure the Buffs don't open up the air assault from the get-go. In order to do that, they'll load up their secondary — which means Colorado should have the opportunity to spring running back Phillip Lindsay loose early. If the Buffs can get the run game on a roll, the Rams will have to adjust at some point, and that would open up the passing lanes for Steven Montez and Co.

4. Stop CSU's running game. Most of the chatter this week is centered around Stevens and Gallup and the threat they pose — and it is no doubt a legitimate concern.

But lost in the shuffle of the Rams' win last week was a 191-yard effort on the ground, with the Rams controlling the clock and the tempo when necessary. That's something the Buffs don't want to happen. Last year, CU stuffed CSU's run game, forced the Rams to the air — and then came six straight three-and-outs. While CSU's air attack is no doubt a threat, it's a little different story if they have to throw and the Buffs can adjust.

The second part of the equation is offensive opportunity. If the Rams control the tempo with a ground game, it will keep Colorado's offense off the field — which might be CSU's best defense. Stop the run game, force the Rams into second- and third-and-long situations, and the Buffs will be in good shape.

5. Turnovers. Yes, one more "Of course, that's the goal every game." But again, it will be supremely important on Friday.

CSU's defense was by no means stellar against Oregon State, giving up 456 yards and allowing the Beavers to go 10-for-16 on third-down tries. Usually, those numbers would add up to a loss. But the Colorado State defense made the difference by forcing five OSU turnovers, including a pick six.

This is a concern for the Buffs, particularly in their run game. While teams do attempt to simulate game conditions in camp, they can't match the heat and contact of full battle. The Buffs should be able to move the ball on the Rams — the key will be making sure they don't give it up with silly mistakes. That will mean smart decisions by Montez and extra attention to ball security by the Buffs' running backs.

Defensively, it will be interesting to see if the Buffs can again force turnovers on a regular basis. Colorado last year picked of 15 passes and recovered 11 fumbles, and forced at least one takeaway in every regular season game, a streak that finally ended in the Pac-12 title game (with the overall streak halted at 25). Now, including the Alamo Bowl, the Buffs have gone two straight games without a takeaway. Friday would be a great time to end that streak.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu