Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — While the Colorado Buffaloes have faced two ranked teams this season — and beaten them both — Friday night's test against the Oregon Ducks will almost certainly be their most difficult yet.

The 13th ranked Ducks (4-1 overall, 2-0 Pac-12) have a new look under second-year head coach Mario Cristobal. They boast a formidable defense and a punishing, ball-control offense that wears opponents down. Their lineup includes a potential first-round draft pick at quarterback, Justin Herbert, and one of the nation's best linebackers, four-year starter Troy Dye.

It is no doubt a formidable challenge for Mel Tucker's Buffs (3-2, 1-1), and it will only be made tougher by what is expected to be a raucous, sold-out Autzen Stadium crowd.

What the Buffs need to do to meet the challenge in the 8 p.m. contest (FS1):

1. Protect quarterback Steven Montez. The Buffs' offensive line has done a solid job of keeping Montez upright this year, allowing just five sacks in five games, second-best in the Pac-12 and tied for 11th in the nation. That includes three games in which they have not given up a single sack.

But that will be a difficult goal to attain against the Ducks, who have recorded 19 sacks. The fact that Oregon gets most of its pressure from its defensive line — and thus does not have to bring extra pressure from elsewhere — means the Ducks aren't sacrificing pass coverage in order to get to the quarterback.

Thus, the Buffs have to keep UO's big linemen out of the backfield and give CU's receivers time to get open. If Colorado can do that, it will give CU a chance to move the sticks and keep the offense on the field.

2. Establish a run game early. This goes hand-in-hand with the first key. Colorado has to run the ball with some success and make UO's front seven respect the rushing attack. If they get the Buffs into too many third-and-long situations, it will be a long night for Montez.

This will be another tall order for Colorado. While CU has had a solid rushing game this season, the Ducks are giving up less than 100 yards per game on the ground. But the Buffs need to find a way to put themselves into manageable second and third-down situations, which means they have to be able to pound the ball — and not give up on the run game if it struggles early.

3. Win the turnover battle. Yet another tough task here, as the Ducks don't turn it over often — just five this season — and they also have 10 defensive takeaways.

But Colorado has been even better in both categories, giving it away just four times and recording 12 takeaways while reaping 37 points off of those takeaways.

While the Ducks have been good at taking care of the ball, they haven't been perfect. In last week's 17-7 win over Cal, Herbert threw his first interception of the season in the first half and the Ducks also lost a pair of fumbles, one in the red zone. That led to a scoreless first half for UO.

Colorado needs to find a way to create a few of those opportunities Friday night. If the Buffs can manufacture a couple of momentum-turning moments — and get some points against a UO defense that has kept opponents to single digits in the last four games — they'll have a chance to be in the game down the stretch.

4. Limit explosive plays by the Ducks, especially on third down. The Buffs have had troubles all season stopping big plays, and it has cost them in both of their losses. Last week against Arizona, the Wildcats had eight pass plays that covered 265 yards and they converted eight of 14 third-down tries, including four of third-and-6 or longer.

The Ducks have explosive capability, with 22 offensive plays already this season of 20 yards or more. They have also converted nearly 40 percent of their third-down tries. But the Buffs need to get the Oregon offense off the field and not let the Ducks extend drives with big plays on third down — a task that won't be easy with a defense that is banged up and is missing some key personnel.

5. Eliminate the self-inflicted wounds. This includes a host of issues — penalties, missed assignments, missed receivers and dropped balls, just to name a few.

As CU's Tucker noted earlier this week, there is no margin for error against good teams, and the Ducks are a very good team.

But the Buffs can't give them any extra opportunities with unforced errors. If they can play a clean game and keep their offense on the field, they have a chance to be in the game in the fourth quarter.

Then, it's anyone's ballgame.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu