The Colorado Buffaloes are riding high after snapping a 14-game Pac-12 losing streak last week with a win at Oregon State. CU has momentum, but they face one of their toughest tests of the year on Halloween as they travel to AP No. 24 UCLA.
Colorado has not defeated the Bruins since joining the Pac-12. After being manhandled in losses by 39, 28 and 22 points in their first three years, Colorado nearly sealed their first conference win in 2014. A huge fourth-quarter comeback against the then-No. 25 Bruins could not sustain its momentum and the Buffs ultimately fell in an overtime thriller.
The Buffs carry much more momentum into this year’s game than last year’s, having finally secured that elusive Pac-12 win and run their record back to an even 4-4.
Jon Woods, managing editor of Ralphie Report, joined The Big Show on Mile High Sports AM 1340 to weigh the Buffs chances of securing not just another win, but their chances of securing another three to make them bowl eligible.
Woods and the guys aren’t sure the Buffs have even one more win on their schedule – as Woods pointed out, they face one of the toughest remaining schedules in all of college football – but they wouldn’t entirely eliminate the possibility of stealing some wins down the road.
Woods noted that UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is a true freshman, and while talented, has been streaky so far this year. With running back Paul Perkins battling injury, that could put more pressure on Rosen. Head coach Jim Mora Jr. said Perkins is on track to play, as is his backup, Nate Starks, who has also fought injuries this year. Colorado has had a poor rush defense (they’re 111th in the country) this year, so they’ll need to key in on stopping Perkins and Starks early.
USC looms a few weeks down the road as a conceivably winnable game; it’s being played at Folsom Field and the Trojans have been a rudderless, albeit talented, team all year as they’ve dealt with the off-field struggles of head coach Steve Sarkisian. But interim head coach Clay Helton got a maximum effort from his team last week, handing a 13th ranked Utah squad its first loss of the year – a resounding 42-24 decision. Woods was quick to remind the guys that CU lost to Helton in an interim role previously, a 47-29 home loss in 2013.
Benjamin Allbright of The Big Show thinks Washington State could be a winnable game, but Woods thinks CU will struggle to keep up with Mike Leach’s much-improved offense. That leaves Stanford (Nov. 7) and Utah (Nov. 28), games the guys didn’t bother to mention in the possible bowl bid scenario.
Clearly, it’s a long shot for the Buffaloes. At least they have momentum going for them, for now.
Listen to the full discussion, including recruiting talk and Woods’ take on Mike MacIntyre’s job security, in the podcast below.
Catch The Big Show every weekday from 2p-4p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.