Colorado heads into Week 10 with more injury questions than answers as it gets ready for Arizona State, and the first report of the week brought a mixed bag of bad news and uncertainty for the Buffaloes.
The biggest setback came with Welch, who Colorado had been holding out hope would be available. That optimism was still alive Tuesday, when Deion Sanders said, "He's getting better," and added, "I pray [he'll be able to play this week]."
But Wednesday’s update wiped that out, and Welch will miss another game. His chances of returning this season are trending in the wrong direction, and Colorado will have to keep leaning on Richard Young after he handled the workload against the Kansas State Wildcats.
Scudero remains another concern with no real sign of progress. He has continued to wear a boot during games and has often been on crutches, and there still hasn’t been any movement toward getting him back on the field. At this point, his return this season looks increasingly doubtful.
The Buffaloes also have to navigate the loss of Mitchell, who was injured during the Kansas State game and was replaced by Ben Finneseth at safety. Finneseth held up well, but Mitchell is a key piece of Colorado’s secondary, and his absence is a problem against an Arizona State passing attack that can make life difficult.
Taufatofua is another player Colorado had hoped to get back after he sat out Week 9. He has dealt with injuries all season, though he was a useful support option when healthy against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Utah Utes and Oklahoma State Cowboys. Yamil Talib filled in during his absence, but the Buffaloes would still welcome the added depth.
Manuel is also in question, and Colorado could feel that one on the interior. He has been a steady run stopper all season, and while Santana Hopper has been dependable inside, Manuel brings a different size element that Hopper does not. If Manuel can’t go Saturday, Samu Taumanupepe or Tyler Moore would be the likely options to step in.
The one situation Colorado would especially prefer not to worsen is at center, where Sean Kinney remains the name to watch. The Buffaloes already lost Demetrius Hunter for the season after his Week 1 injury, and Kinney has been an anchor in the middle this year. He is likely to play against Arizona State, but if he can’t, Colorado would probably turn to Yahya Attia.
Attia has had a rocky season and has not locked down a steady starting spot on the offensive line, but he does have center experience, which would give the Buffaloes a way to keep moving until Kinney is back.
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Former Buff Could Test Colorados Biggest Defensive Weakness
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For Colorado, that makes the trip to Tempe feel a little more personal than a typical conference game. The Buffaloes are trying to tighten up a secondary that has been vulnerable, while Millers familiarity with the program adds another layer to an already interesting matchup between two teams that have plenty of familiarity and plenty on the line. [Read more 🡒]
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Colorado Faces A Brutal Defensive Question In Must Win Road Game
Colorados defense could be walking into a tough road test without a couple of familiar pieces, as the Buffaloes head to Arizona State with some real uncertainty in the middle of the lineup. Starting safety Naeten Mitchell is doubtful because of injury, while defensive tackle Dylan Manuel is also on the doubtful list, leaving Colorado with the possibility of reshuffling key spots at a time when every possession matters.
If Mitchell is unable to go, it would mark his first missed game of the season and put more pressure on the depth behind him. Colorado may have to lean on backups such as Ben Finneseth and Samu Taumanupepe to absorb those snaps, a challenge that only adds to the stakes in a game the Buffaloes need to have. [Read more 🡒]