Colorado Buffalos defensive safety Ben Finneseth (28) tackles Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Jordan Brown (4) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
It’s been almost one month since the Colorado Buffaloes blew out the Oklahoma State Cowboys to close the regular season. The wait will end on Saturday as CU will take on the BYU Cougars in the Alamo Bowl at 5:30 p.m. MT (ABC).
The Buffs have spent the better part of the past month preparing for their first bowl game of the head coach Deion Sanders era while occasionally sneaking off to receive an award or two. Practices have seen CU living in the present and the future as players such as early enrollee quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis have joined the team to help prepare for the Cougars. We’ll see how these practices help next year’s team, but CU has a bowl game to win.
Here are five keys to the Buffs beating the Cougars in the Alamo Bowl:
Keep BYU’s offense and QB Jake Retzlaff off schedule
BYU’s offense is built on the run game, including using quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s legs. Five Cougars have at least 25 rushes, so CU must be ready for the run game no matter who is in the backfield. The Buffs have to force BYU into passing situations by slowing down the run game and making Retzlaff use his arm to keep the Cougars in the game.
Light up the scoreboard on offense
BYU led the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense during the regular season, allowing only 20.1 points per game. Conversely, CU has the third-best scoring offense in the conference at 34.5 points per game. That total included a 49-point outburst against the Utah Utes, who allowed only 20.7 points per game in the regular season. Can CU have a repeat performance in San Antonio?
Don’t turn the ball over
The Cougars’ defense feasts on turnovers, racking up 27 total takeaways during the regular season. Their secondary gets its hands on many passes, accounting for 20 interceptions. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders takes great care of the ball, but the Cougars are a different animal when it comes to taking the ball away.
Start a pass-rush parade to Retzlaff
Colorado had the Big 12’s best pass rush in the regular season, compiling an impressive 37 sacks. In contrast, BYU’s offensive line was strong in the pass-protection department, allowing only 16 sacks. CU can create some less-than-ideal BYU offensive possessions if it can get after Jake Retzlaff.
Don’t let a BYU receiver get loose for a big play
BYU loves to run the ball to set up the big play downfield, although the Cougars will be down an explosive option as wide receiver Darius Lassiter will miss the first half. CU’s defensive backfield can’t be fooled by play-action or double moves that allow BYU to take a shot downfield. The Buffs must stay with their assignments and keep the Cougars’ receivers in front.
Further Reading
READ: What Colorado players are saying about facing BYU in the Alamo Bowl
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Keys to Colorado beating BYU in the Alamo Bowl
