No. 11 Utah vs Colorado: Week 7 College Football Preview

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No. 11 Utah (5-0) heads to Boulder Saturday night to face Colorado (2-3). The Utes are averaging 42.8 points per game and have a chance to stay undefeated against a struggling Buffaloes team. Still, Colorado’s defensive front could make things interesting. Here are some keys to the game in Boulder. 

Start Fast

Utah has outscored opponents 68-3 in the first quarter and scored a touchdown on its opening drive in every game. Keep that going. Colorado is coming off a bye and will have its home crowd behind it. I want to see Utah punch them in the mouth early, get on the board and force Colorado to play from behind.

Win the Turnover Battle

Utah committed two turnovers against Kansas last week and allowed the Jayhawks to hang around. Colorado hasn’t scored consistently this season, and the Utes can’t give them short fields or easy points. Protect the football, and Utah should control this game.

Rattle Isaac Wilson

The former Utah quarterback gets a shot at his old team, and you know he’ll have a chip on his shoulder. Wilson threw three interceptions in his first start against Texas Tech, including a pick-six. Utah needs to pressure him early, force tough decisions and take away the deep shots. Don’t let him get comfortable.

Stop Colorado’s Defensive Line

The Buffaloes lead the Big 12 with 8.8 tackles for loss per game. Santana Hopper already has 9.5 tackles for loss. Utah’s offensive line is coming off a strong performance against Kansas, but it can’t allow Colorado to live in the backfield. Establish the run, avoid negative plays and keep Devon Dampier out of obvious passing situations.

This should be a game where Utah runs all over Colorado. This isn't the same Buffaloes' team from last year's 53-7 blowout in Salt Lake City. Deion Sanders and his staff flipped the roster with 44 new players. None of them have above a three-star rating. The Buffs have lacked intensity or drive in a majority of the game they've played. We'll see if that's the same case against Utah. 

Final Thoughts

Utah is the better team, but turnovers and Colorado’s defensive front are the two things that could keep this one close. Start fast, take care of the football and win up front. Do that, and the Utes should leave Boulder 6-0.

The Utes look to stay perfect in the latest edition of the Rumble in the Rockies with Colorado (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

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