After dodging tortillas and water bottles in a solid win at Texas Tech last week, the Colorado Buffaloes head home to Folsom Field for a morning tilt with the Utah Utes.
With another win this weekend, the Buffs can control their own Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff destiny. They are 7-2, but second in the conference with a 5-1 conference record.
Here are some storylines heading into Week 12.
Appreciating the military and the Indigenous community
This weekend’s contest theme is the Salute to Service, honoring the men and women of the United States military. Also, there will be a special on-field Pow-Wow ceremony from the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Arden Walker received top-tier grade honors
Pro Football Focus College graded DL Arden Walker 86.5, ranked seventh highest in the top-ten list.
Walker tallied seven total tackles and a pair of sacks in the win over the Red Raiders on November 9.
Shedeur Sanders honored again
QB Shedeur Sanders received the Big-12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at Texas Tech.
Despite the early struggles, Sanders marched on and led the offense to outscore the Red Raiders 41-14 in the final three quarters. Sanders was responsible for 24 of them (three passing, one rushing).
Scouting the Utah Utes
Expectations were high in the Beehive State this year, but the Utes have been underperforming. The Utes are heading to Boulder, having lost five straight games after starting the season 4-0.
Utah’s strength is defense, as they are top in the Big-12 conference rankings in points-per-game (17.1) and total defense (307.4). Team leaders include LB Lander Barton (59 tackles), DL Van Fillinger (six sacks), and DB Elijah Davis (2 INTS).
On the offensive side of the ball, they have the second-lowest total offense with 362.9 YPG, 11th in passing (212.4), and rushing (150.4). RB Micah Bernard leads the team with 961 all-purpose yards (860 rush, 101 receiving), and QB Issac Wilson is the leader in total offensive yards (1200 pass, 66 rushing).