“Is ‘The Rise’ real in Boulder?”
That’s the question Pac-12 Network’s Yogi Roth says will be answered Saturday when the Colorado Buffaloes host the Oregon State Beavers. The Buffs are fresh off a win in their conference opener on the road at Oregon, riding a wave of positive momentum with freshman quarterback Steven Montez. Roth calls it “the biggest win, arguably, in program history, outside of their national championship win. Obviously their biggest win since they joined the Pac-12 conference.”
Roth has more questions for the Buffs in the wake of the seminal win, though.
“Can they handle success? Can they handle everyone walking around telling them how sweet they are and how big that win against Oregon was?”
He has good news for Buffs fans, however.
“I think they can. Fifty-six juniors or seniors on this roster,” Roth says about Colorado’s veteran presence that will face an inconsistent Beavers team “coming off a disappointing loss to Boise State.”
As far as advantages go for the Buffs, Roth says Oregon State has not “found consistency on offense. They have had issues on their offensive line.” That’s a positive for the Buffs, who have allowed 83 points combined over their last two games after allowing just 14 in their first two games.
Colorado’s biggest weakness, as Roth sees it, is on special teams where Oregon State shines. The Buffs will have to contain return man Victor Bolden Jr.
For the first time in a long time, the Buffs enter a game with an expectation to win. Roth, and Buffs fans, can’t wait to see how they respond.
