Colorado vs. Utah: Three keys to the game

Buffs hit the road for a Pac-12 finale with the Utes

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado (4-7) looks to finish off the season the way they started with a win as they head to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes (7-4). Both teams are struggling coming into this final game. It's been a week for both programs dealing with the flu bug and injuries.  

Utah is riding a two-game losing streak with both against ranked teams. As for CU, Coach Prime's Buffs have dropped five straight. Utah heads to a bowl game regardless of the outcome on Saturday. Colorado will be heading home after their worst loss of the season to Washington State, but hope to finish the year on a high note.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET with coverage on the Pac-12 Network. Here are three keys to Colorado returning to Boulder with a win. 

KEEP SANDERS UPRIGHT

CU's offense line has struggled to protect Shedeur Sanders this season, allowing 54 sacks on the year, which is the worst in the nation. The Buffs have faced some of the nation's best pass rushers, but with Utah's Jonah Elliss out, they might find success in protection, especially after last week when Sanders left the game with an injury.  

This is a game where CU will need to have their best game protecting the quarterback. It starts with consistency and being able to chip in on every passing down or bring in an extra blocker for protection. Yes, in the final game CU will want to put up big numbers and the biggest one would be allowing no sacks to the Utes defense. After Elliss, Utah is a pretty quiet team when it comes to getting the quarterback. Connor O’Toole and Logan Fano both have 3.5 sacks on the season and then there are a handful of other players that have produced one or two sacks on the season. This is a game that could show CU being able to push the ball downfield, if Sanders stays upright.

Utah’s pass protection has been phenomenal having allowed 19 sacks on the season. They boast some of the best pass blockers in the nation in guard Keaton Bills, and right tackle Sataoa Laumea. This is a game where Jordan Domineck will need to get after true freshman tackle Spencer Fano, who was one of the top recruits coming in this season and has been having a solid year.  

Charles Kelly will need to come up with ways to confuse the Utah's O-line. LaVonta Bentley and Tajih Alston can have an impact getting to fifth-string walk-on QB Luke Bottari. The former JUCO product has never played at the FBS level and will get reps for the first time in two years. This is a game where if the defense can get to Bottari that very well might be the difference maker as Bottari is playing his first and last game for Utah as a senior. You know what they say, grand opening... grand closing. The Utes offense is pedestrian when it comes to throwing the ball and Bottari will try to give them something after being five-deep in the rotation with no game experience at this level. If CU can force the mistakes, they will reap the reward.  

ELIMINATE THE RUN GAME

CU has struggled at stopping the run this season and it doesn’t get any easier when it comes to Utah. The Utes running backs have shined over the course of the season. Ja’Quinden Jackson leads the team, averaging 67.4 yards a game and 5.1 yards per carry. Originally, Jackson came to Utah as a quarterback, but since switching to running back he has been magnificent. CU also needs to be aware of Jaylon Glover, who is another solid sophomore running back for the Utes. Look for Jackson to get the bulk of the carries for Utah. But if CU can stop the run, they can find success in this final game.

Utah's defense all season long has eliminated the run game of their opponents as they have been allowing only 88.5 yards per game on the ground, which is tied for sixth-best in the nation. This will be a cold, blistery game and the rushing attack for both schools will be a factor. Utah has only allowed one player to rush for 100 yards in a game this season and that was Dillon Johnson of Washington.  

But it's no secret that Colorado has yet to see a runner eclipse the 100-yard mark this year. At the start of the season, that would have been laughable thought, but it's a firmy reality. The best game a Buff running back has had on the ground this season was when Anthony Hankerson rushed for 74 yards against USC. CU could catch Utah off guard if they are dedicated to running the ball. For Utah Redshirt Freshman Keanu Tanuvasa has played a big part in helping slowdown the run game for Utah as well as Junior Tafuna. These two can clog up the middle and allow the linebackers Levani Damuni and Karene Reid to shoot the gaps to stop the run game.          

BIG PLAYS ON SPECIAL TEAMS

If there is one thing that CU has lacked this season, it is the big play on special teams. The Buffs have yet to have a kickoff, or a punt return for a touchdown on the season. The best punt return on the season was by Xavier Weaver, who returned one 51 yards against Arizona State. The best kick return of the season came last week by Jimmy Horn Jr. when he had a 57-yard return in the loss to Washington State. CU needs that big play that can change a game and bring momentum.  

With the struggles on offense, CU also needs to be able to utilize a short field to give the offense a chance to put up points. A big return could really help silence the Utah crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Big plays can change games and there is nothing better than being able to add points to the board. It will also be key for Mark Vassett to pin the Utes deep in their own territory and make them go the length of the field. Vassett on the season does have 22 punts that have landed inside the 20 of CU’s opponents.  

CU started off the season surprising the world and now has fallen on hard times, but there would be no better way to end the season going out on top with a win.