Colorado comes out of its bye week with a tough assignment: a late-night visit from No. 11 Utah, which is 5-0. The Buffaloes are 2-3, and Coach Prime isn’t understating the challenge.
“Probably the best team we’re going to face this season,” Deion Sanders said.
He also laid out what Colorado needs to do to give itself a chance. The offense can’t spend the night throwing its way out of trouble. Sanders said the Buffs want to limit their pass attempts, depending on how the game unfolds.
“We don’t want to throw the ball 40-some times. We want to keep the ball in between 17 and 24 pass attempts.”
That starts with getting the running game back on track. Sanders said Colorado’s offensive line worked during the bye week to recapture the form the group showed earlier in the season.
“We can run the ball. We’ve proven that.”
The defense has its own focus. Colorado has created plenty of disruption, leading the Big 12 and ranking fourth nationally with 8.8 tackles for loss per game, according to Sanders. But he knows that the Buffs can’t give opponents extra chances with penalties.
“We got to stop that. We got to stop the mindless penalties. Just giving them extra opportunities especially off the field on the third down and we give them extra opportunities.”
Coach Prime said Colorado’s late-game struggles have made some contests look more lopsided than they were. He wants the defense to keep competing when a game gets difficult and prevent a handful of mistakes from turning into a late avalanche.
Utah’s use of multiple quarterbacks adds another layer. Sanders said the Utes can run or throw, forcing defenders to stay alert even when a play appears to be moving away from them.
“Even if you’re backside and that play is going away, you have no idea if they’re going to stop, drop back and let it fly,” Sanders said.
Colorado used the bye week to work through situational football and special teams, and Sanders said keeping the team motivated and on the same page was also a priority. He believes the players have continued to put in the work.
“These guys can tell you that they haven’t let up. They still believe. They still are working their butts off.”
The Buffs will need that belief to show up in the details: a steadier ground attack, fewer penalties and a defense that sustains its effort.
Colorado hosts Utah Saturday at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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