Three keys for Colorado to upset No. 8 USC
A star-studded event will be happening on Saturday as the Colorado Buffaloes hosts the 8th-ranked USC Trojans. CU looks to bounce back after being handed their first loss of the season to the Oregon Ducks.
Meanwhile, the Trojans are coming off a win against Arizona State and sit at 4-0 on the season. USC comes into the game averaging 55 points per game, while allowing their opponents below half that total.
SLOW DOWN THE HEISMAN WINNER
This goes without being said but Caleb Williams needs to feel the wrath of playing a mile above sea level. CU got to see Oregon's Heisman hopeful Bo Nix as a preview to Williams and It's likely a similar gameplan with a few adjustments.
The USC passer is more mobile than Nix and plays a bit more outside the pocket. As of right now, many scouts have him projected as the top overall pick in next April's NFL Draft. Williams best season landed him some hardware last year including the Heisman. He beat out the likes of Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer, and Rodney Pete. Make no mistake about it, Williams can sling it.
On the season he has already thrown for 1,200 yards and 15 TD’s (2nd, FBS) without throwing a pick. He'll go up against a Buffs defense who has forced an interception in every game this year. Williams has the arm talent and the athletic ability to keep plays alive. He can allude pressure all while keeping his eyes down the field to find a group of groups of solid receivers. Tahj Washington leads the way with 278 yards. But it's a former Buffs wideout in Brenden Rice, who has five TD's.
Colorado will need to find a way to get at Williams and force him to stay in the pocket. That's easier said than done, but he can't be given time to keep plays alive. The Buffaloes were able to get two sacks on Nix last week, and they will need to up that against Williams. Jordan Domineck looks to make it three straight games with a sack, if he can bring down Williams.
Charles Kelly will need to dial up some pressure packages to keep the QB guessing. The secondary will need to play their part as well and force a coverage sack or force Williams into second guessing his reads. Hopefully, CU will have Shilo Sanders back at safety on Saturday. Coach Prime's middle son is a game-time decision after suffering a kidney injury against Oregon.
KEEP SANDERS UP AND ALLOW HIM TO MAKE PLAYS
Colorado needs help along the offensive line after they looked atrocious against Oregon. They allowed the Ducks to rack up seven sacks, which brings the total to 22 this season.
Sanders was held to 159 yards and a TD against Oregon. The O-line has suffered and can't seems to find a solution after the NCAA ruled Tyler Brown ineligible for the 2023 season. They need to keep Sanders' upright, but also he'll go up against a tough Trojans secondary that has only allowed over 200 yards once this season.
Sanders has shown that can sling the ball all over the field. Before the loss to Oregon, he was averaging 417 yards a game in the air. This is where CU can utilize an extra blocker to protect Sanders. Sean Lewis does not need his star QB airing the ball out all the time. Look for CU to use more crossing routes over the middle and bubble screens on the outside.
Xavier Weaver has now established himself as the favorite target for Sanders. But Jimmy Horn Jr. would be the next in line on the list of receivers. Sanders could get both former USF Bulls receivers involved right away, along with breakout tight end Michael Harrison. If Sanders has time, CU fans will see the success that the Buffs had airing the ball out in the first three games.
LET'S GET PHYSICAL
The Buffaloes defense will need to bounce back after a game in which Oregon asserted their physical dominance. The D-line needs to become nasty and show their will power, and more importantly, their physical abilities to control the line of scrimmage. USC will be about the toughest test for Colorado. The Trojans offensive line is built with NFL ready talent and is noted as one of the best in the nation.
CU's linebackers Juwan Mitchell and LaVonta Bentley will be studying Williams for cues on when to apply pressure. The defense as a whole will need to be sure to wrap up and prevent any yards after contact.
If Colorado can put a plug in USC’s run game, this gives their secondary a good chance to match up with the Trojans wideouts. CU needs to do the same on the offensive side of things. Be physical upfront and establish a run game. The offensive line needs to be able to fire off at-will on the Trojans. Establishing a ground game in the second level was key for Dylan Edwards against TCU.
Keep in mind, USC's defense only has one game this season with fewer than 100 yards on the ground. CU’s running backs carried the ball for a total 15 times for a total of 76 yards at Oregon. A small fraction of the offense that will need to back more of a go-to factor. This is a game in which CU could have their first 100-yard rusher of the season.
CU goes up against another top ten opponent when they take on USC at Folsom Field. Look for this game to be much closer than the Oregon loss. A win for CU and they are right back in the Top 25 ranking.
