A rematch of last year's Alamo Bowl
LIVE updates: Colorado vs BYU: Live score, news updates, highlights and Preview originally appeared on The Sporting News
BYU @ CU Game Preview
This matchup is not a continuation of the Alamo Bowl game. BYU has jumped out to a 3-0 record which should come as no shock to anyone. While Colorado is trying to make course corrections to a very unexpected 2-2 start. Both teams are starting QBs new to their program. For BYU its freshman Bear Bachmeier, while Colorado has selted on senior Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter after a bit of QB musical chairs.
Each team’s respective road to this point in the season are also noticeably different. BYU blew out Portland State (69-0) as well as two sound wins against Stanford (27-3) and East Carolina (34-13). However, Colorado has faced a much different story through their four games. Colorado lost a winnable game vs Georgia Tech (27-20), took care of Delaware (31-7), loss handily to Houston (36-20), and handled Wyoming (37-20). While BYU aims to continue what they’ve started, Colorado hopes to change the narrative of their young season with its first win over a ranked team (BYU #25). If rankings hold, Colorado is set to face three ranked teams in the next three weeks (BYU, #24 TCU, and #14 Iowa State).
A night game at Folsom Field should provide the first intense atmosphere for BYU’s freshman QB. BYU under Kalani Sitake has built a very sound program and a football team that is rather balanced. With quality starters at every level of the depth chart, Bear Bachmeier doesn’t have to be a superhero. Manage the game, lean on the run and expect his defense will put up a solid showing. Colorado on the other hand, has a blueprint under Deion Sanders will some improvement in areas that have been less than a strength. Colorado still has explosive receivers, a QB that can account for chunk plays and a secondary that is talented but has not yet shut teams down through the air.
The CU defensive line and offensive lines are improved, but running the ball and stopping the run are still less than impressive. Colorado will need to be effective in both running the ball and stopping the run to beat a BYU team that runs the ball better this year than last. BYU is a top 35 team in the nation when it comes to running the football. Their rushing stats are even more impressive when looking at advanced stats, ranking 8th in run blocking, 9th in ypc, and 6th in ypc after contact.
BYU will want to establish the run with LJ Martin, utilize play action and hope to keep Bachmeier out of clear passing downs as Colorado will want to get pressure on the young QB. In their two wins the Buffaloes have 4 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. How BYU handles the QB pressure situation will also be a dynamic to track. Kaidon Salter is the starter for this game, but it will depend on which Salter Colorado gets this week. In the first two weeks, Salter seemed hesitant to run. After getting benched for third stringer Ryan Staub, week 4 Kaidon Salter reverted back to the ‘dual threat’ aspect that makes him so intriguing. If BYU can prevent Salter rushing chunk plays, this could become a very different game. For Colorado to get a ranked upset win, they will need the Kaidon Salter viewers saw vs Wyoming.
Who wins this game should come down to balanced complimentary football (BYU) vs a not quite one dimensional attack with big chunk play potential. If Colorado can run the ball at an acceptable clip, that could dramatically change how this game is played. Against Wyoming last week Colorado as a team had a 6.2 ypc on the ground for a shade under 200 yards as a team, but only saw 19 total carries by running backs. This game could come down to which team can run the ball and limit chunk plays better than the other.
Category: General Sports
