Opponent Preview: Colorado Offense

Heading into Saturday’s game in Boulder, Colorado needs a win to advance to the Pac-12 championship game. Utah will try and spoil the Buffs party in similar fashion to how Colorado upset Utah’s Pac-12 championship hopes back in 2011. Colorado brings a very balanced and experienced offensive unit into the game. Utah will need to stop both the run and pass to upset Colorado on Saturday.

Colorado doesn’t have an explosive offense, but they are very capable, ranking 5th in conference in total offense. The Buffs average 35.5 points per game on 478.3 yards of total offense per game. On the ground Colorado averages 4.28 yards per carry and 209.5 rush yards per game and has totaled 27 rushing touchdowns for the season. Through the air, Colorado averages 268.7 pass yard per game with a total of 20 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Quarterback

Sefo Liufau (6-4, 230 lbs.) is the leader of the Colorado offense. Liufau is a four year starter, who has been critical to Colorado’s growth from a bottom tier team into a potential Pac-12 south champion. The senior has prototypical size for a quarterback and throws a nice ball, having passed for 1,880 yards, 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He completes 67% of his passes and is also mobile, running for 424 yards 6 touchdowns this season. Liufau is a tough player and has battled through a number of injuries throughout his career. He enters Saturday’s game with 59 career touchdown passes, just one touchdown shy of the school record.

Running Back

Phillip Lindsay (5-8, 190 lbs.) is the primary back for the Buffs. Lindsay actually has an uncle, Tony Lindsay, who was a standout running back for the Utes from 1977-1980. The younger Lindsay has carried on the tradition of running in the family, emerging for Colorado with 1,081 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns this season, while averaging 5.43 yards per carry. Lindsay is quick, with good speed and surprising power for his frame.

Receivers

Shay Fields (5-11, 180 lbs.) is a big play threat for the Buffs at receiver. The junior averages 17.23 yards per reception and leads the team with 8 touchdown catches. Devin Ross (5-9, 180 lbs.) is a speedster, leading the team with 56 receptions and second behind fields with 5 touchdown receptions. Bryce Bobo (6-2, 190 lbs.) has a bigger frame and has the ability to make some acrobatic catches, ending up on Sports Center’s Top 10 a couple times already this season.

Outlook

Colorado is a balanced offense with the ability to both run and throw the ball effectively. In addition, the offense has plenty of experience with mostly upperclassmen who have been part of pulling this program out of the Pac-12 cellar. Despite this not being the most explosive or talented offense Utah will have faced this season, the Utah will have their hands full. This Colorado team has put in the work to get where they are today, and on senior day with one win standing between them and a Pac-12 title game, Utah will get Colorado’s best shot.