Fast Five: Keys For Buffs Vs. Oklahoma State

BOULDER — With all kinds of scenarios still possible in the hunt for a Big 12 championship game berth, Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes must do one thing:

Take care of business Friday against Oklahoma State at Folsom Field (10 a.m., ABC).

Then let the chips fall where they may.

The Buffs (8-3 overall, 6-2 Big 12) are still in contention for a title game berth. They'll need a win over Oklahoma State (3-8, 0-8), plus some help from other teams to get there.

But the only thing in their control is how they perform against the Cowboys — and if they don't take care of business against OSU, none of the other scenarios will matter.

On paper, the Buffs are heavy favorites, and for good reason. While the Buffs saw a four-game win streak come to an end last week at Kansas, the Cowboys haven't tasted victory since they started Big 12 play.

In fact, OSU is arguably the most disappointing team in the conference this year. Picked to finish third in the preseason media poll, the Cowboys reached a No. 14 ranking in the nation after a 3-0 start.

They haven't won since, racking up eight straight losses, thanks in large part to a defense that is giving up points at an alarming pace. In their last seven games, the Cowboys have given up at least 38 points in every contest.

Still, if there's anything that's been proven this year in the Big 12, it is that nothing is certain — and the Cowboys would like nothing better than to avoid becoming the only winless team in Big 12 conference play while also throwing a wrench in CU's plans as a bonus.

OSU did provide a glimmer of hope last week by scoring 48 points against Texas Tech. The only problem was the Cowboys gave up 56.

In short, the situation appears to be a golden opportunity for CU's offense to put up some big numbers, which leads us to our weekly Fast Five:

1. Attack the OSU secondary. The Cowboys are giving up more than 260 yards per game in the air and have yielded 21 passing touchdowns this season.

Those are the kinds of numbers that should have Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his wide receivers salivating. If the Buffs offensive line gives Sanders some time to throw, CU's receivers will be running free in the OSU secondary and Colorado should put plenty of points on the board.

2. Start fast. This is an opportunity for the Buffs to deliver a knockout punch in a hurry.

The Cowboys had to travel on Thanksgiving. They have lost eight in a row and have almost nothing to gain — other than not becoming the only team in the Big 12 not to win a conference game this year.

Colorado needs to erase any motivation OSU might have early. If the Buffs can put a couple of quick scores on the board, it could be the kind of haymaker that puts the Cowboys out of their misery and allows CU to celebrate Senior Day in style.

3. Play with an edge. Coach Prime didn't mince words last week when he said too many Buffs might have become intoxicated with success.

Now it's time for Colorado to return to playing with that chip on their shoulder. The Buffs are at their best when they play like they have something to prove.

They have plenty to prove against the Cowboys.

4. Regain their defensive mojo, especially against the run. Don't forget, OSU running back Ollie Gordon II was on many folks' Heisman list when the season started.

It's been a tough season for Gordon. He's rushed for just 870 yards — 900 less than last year's season total. But he also ran for 156 yards and three touchdowns in last weekend's loss to Texas Tech, averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

The Buffs can't let Gordon get rolling. CU needs to bottle him up, put the Cowboys behind the sticks on second and third down and then get pressure on freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith.

5. Forget the title game hunt and aim for 10 wins. The Buffs no longer control their own destiny, but a 9-3 regular season record — and 10-3 with a bowl game win — is a heck of a season for a team that won just four games last year.

Even if the Buffs don't make it to the conference title game, a 9-3 record will guarantee them a very nice bowl game and a possible 10th win. It will help recruiting — both in the high school ranks and in the transfer portal — and provide a nice momentum boost heading into spring ball.

The Buffs have won 10 games in a season just twice since 1996. The 2016 Buffs went 10-4 and the 2001 Buffs were 10-3.

Adding their names to that list would be a very nice accomplishment, even without a title game berth.