Colorado
USC
Friday Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Trojans
September 29, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes don't have too many goose eggs in their record book.
But of the few that exist, none has been more of a pain in the side than CU's record against Southern California in football: 0-16.
The two programs go their separate ways next year, with Colorado headed to the Big 12 and USC to the Big Ten. Barring a non-conference schedule change, they won't meet anytime in the foreseeable future.
Thus, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Buffs have one last chance to put up a mark in the win column against the Trojans when the two meet in a nationally televised game Saturday at Folsom Field (10 a.m., Fox).
It's the perfect opportunity for Coach Prime and his team — and while the oddsmakers have installed the Buffaloes as heavy underdogs, there are plenty of reasons to believe in Colorado's chances against the No. 8 Trojans.
Our weekly Fast Five:
1. Start fast. This hasn't been a Colorado strong point for the last several games, but it will be imperative for the Buffs to get out of the gate quickly in this one.
CU doesn't want to fall behind early and have to play catchup against a USC offense that leads the nation in points per game (55.0) and is second in yards per game (569.2). Rather, Colorado needs to get out to a quick lead and put pressure on the Trojans to respond.
Saturday's game time isn't ideal for the Trojans. Kickoff is at 9 a.m. their time — early for college students — and the last time USC played in such an early game, the Trojans started slowly and needed two touchdowns in the final three minutes to beat Arizona State in 2020.
So how do the Buffs put USC in a similar position?
2. Force USC mistakes. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams hasn't thrown an interception yet this season for USC. But the Trojans have put the ball on the ground five times this year and Williams is by no means immune to throwing the occasional pick.
Most importantly, the Trojans are not an error-free team. In the win over ASU, Southern California committed 10 penalties, including one that negated a touchdown. USC also lost a fumble that led to an ASU touchdown, and a turnover on downs deep in Arizona State territory in the third quarter stopped another drive.
It's why Arizona State — a team that was shut out by Fresno State a week earlier — managed to be within 24-21 in the third quarter.
The Buffs need to force some of those errors, then take advantage. If they can do that, they'll be in the game down the stretch when anything can happen (just ask Colorado State).
3. Give Shedeur Sanders time and room to operate. Colorado's starting quarterback has been sacked 22 times this year. The Trojans have 41 tackles for loss this season, including 16 sacks — with eight of those coming last weekend ASU.
CU has to figure out a way to protect Sanders and give him time to operate in the pocket.
The Trojans' defense isn't dominant, as evidenced by ASU's 28 points last week. The Sun Devils threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, which is why it was still a close game in the second half.
This is a week for Colorado to play ball control with its passing game. If the Buffs can manufacture some long, time-consuming drives with short passes and a few well-timed runs, they can keep USC's offense off the field — and make it anyone's game in the fourth quarter.
4. Run the ball effectively. The Buffs are last in the nation in rushing, averaging just 55.8 yards per game.
But this doesn't mean CU has to erupt for 200 yards on the ground. Rather, offensive coordinator Sean Lewis has to pick his spots to get Dylan Edwards, Anthony Hankerson and Alton McCaskill in space with a chance to get to the second level.
USC's defense hasn't been spectacular against the run. Take away negative yardage on sacks, and the Trojans are giving up roughly 170 yards per game.
Colorado needs to pick up some of those yards early and prevent USC from opening up the pass rush on every play.
5. Eliminate mistakes. While Oregon was no doubt dominant in last weekend's 42-6 Colorado loss, the Buffs were also their own worst enemy too many times.
Penalties (12), missed assignments and missed tackles made the game worse than it should have been. The Buffs must eliminate those self-inflicted wounds.
The bottom line is that USC has a potent offense and an opportunistic but susceptible defense. The Buffs can be in this one when it matters if they play error-free football, take advantage of opportunities when they arise and keep the pressure on the Trojans.
Granted, easier said than done — but this is Colorado's last chance to get it done against USC.
