Colorado comes out of its bye with a big ask waiting at Folsom Field: slow down one of the country’s most productive offenses.
No. 11 Utah arrives Saturday night at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play after a 41-24 win over Kansas, and the Utes have been piling up numbers all season.
They rank ninth nationally in total offense at 502 yards per game, a powerful test for a Colorado defense that has allowed 25.4 points and 347.0 yards per game. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.
MT on ESPN.
Utah’s offense runs through Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker, and both have been difficult to contain. Dampier has completed 71.8% of his passes for 1,134 yards and 12 touchdowns, while his 171.6 passing-efficiency rating is second in the Big 12. He also brings another layer with his legs, giving Colorado’s linebackers extra work on every snap.
Parker has been even hotter on the ground lately, topping 170 rushing yards in back-to-back games with 174 against Iowa State and 171 against Kansas. He has 11 total touchdowns, with seven on the ground and four through the air. Colorado has yet to allow an individual 100-yard rusher this season, but Parker is the kind of back who can stress that streak.
Utah’s offensive line has done its part too, earning Big 12 weekly honors after the Kansas game. The Utes rolled up 545 yards and a season-high 31 first downs in that win.
For Colorado, the path starts up front. Santana Hopper delivered a huge outing against Texas Tech with 10 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries. He leads the team with 9.5 tackles for loss and has had at least a share of one in every game.
The Buffaloes may also need Lamont Lester Jr. back in the mix. He has four sacks, but he was still listed as questionable on Thursday after sitting out against Texas Tech. His status matters against a Utah offense that has scored a touchdown on its opening possession in every game this season.
Colorado’s defense did flash disruption before the bye, posting a season-high 12 tackles for loss against Texas Tech. If Chris Marve’s group can produce that kind of backfield pressure again, it could help force Utah into longer-yardage situations and make the night a lot tougher on the visitors.
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