2 days ago3 min read

Rumble in the Rockies: Utah Takes on No. 17 Colorado

Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter — © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

A hectic Big 12 Conference race marches on when the injury-riddled Utah Utes (4-5, 1-5 Big 12) head to Boulder, Colo. to clash with the red-hot No. 17 Colorado Buffaloes (7-2, 5-1) on Nov. 16 with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. EST at Folsom Field. Fresh off a three-game winning streak following a heartbreaker against the Kansas State Wildcats, the Buffaloes now control their own destiny in the race for a Big 12 Conference Championship appearance and, potentially, a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Series History

Dating back to the 1903 season, the Utes and Buffaloes have faced off on the gridiron 70 times, with Utah leading the all-time series 35-32-3. Currently, Utah boasts a seven-game winning streak over Colorado, with the Buffaloes' last victory over the Utes coming in 2016. Since both schools joined the Pac-12 Conference in 2011 and up until the league's disbandment in 2023, Colorado has won just twice.

Fighting Fire With Fire

For all intents and purposes, there’s a good reason why the conversation around college football is centered on a Colorado offense that could very well produce the top two picks in next year’s NFL Draft. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy hopeful Travis Hunter are two of the most electrifying players the sport has to offer. However, the Buffaloes' high-powered offense may be facing its toughest test yet. On paper, Utah's swarming defense ranks 13th in scoring defense and 23rd in total defense. In addition, the Utes' red-zone defense has been suffocating, with a knack for keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone. The Utes are no joke defensively. If they’re to pull off an upset, then their defense will need to be at its absolute best. Make sure to pop some popcorn whenever CU's offense is on the field against this feisty Utah defense.

Colorado 'D'

It goes without saying that Colorado boasts elite talent on offense, but it’s actually the Buffs' tenacious defense that has shown the most dramatic improvement from a year ago. This season, Colorado is allowing just 22.6 points per game and ranks sixth in the nation with 29 sacks. Last fall, the Buffaloes’ defense was so porous that they finished 130th in the country. But with a surplus of pass-rushers capable of disrupting quarterbacks and elite cover corners in the secondary, this Colorado defense is now a force to be reckoned with. It’s safe to say that the narrative that Colorado cannot play defense is in the rearview mirror. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has truly brought his Louis Vuitton to Boulder.

Not to mention, but the injury bug has plagued Utah in devastating fashion this year. As it stands, the Utes will be without the services of top playmakers in tight end Brant Kuithe and wideout Money Parks. Utah's plan was to hand the starting quarterback role back to Isaac Wilson after last week's starter, Brandon Rose, tore his lisfranc ligament. However, it now appears that Wilson will also miss the game due to an illness. With the uncertainty surrounding Utah's quarterback room, look for the Utes to rely heavily on the running game. As the injuries continue to mount, the hungrier Colorado's defense will be to feast in the Utah backfield.

Emotional Hangover

Last weekend, Utah found themselves one play away from winning the "Holy War" and handing the undefeated No. 6 BYU Cougars their first loss of the season in Salt Lake City. At first glance, it appeared the Utes had triumphed after sacking BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff on fourth down. However, the officiating crew flagged Utah’s secondary for a holding penalty during the play. Thanks to the controversial call, BYU marched down the field in the final seconds and connected on a 44-yard field goal, handing the Utes a shocking loss.

After a week of heated discussions over the call—most notably from Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan, who was fined $40,000 by the conference—the Utes must quickly regroup. The biggest challenge for Utah will be avoiding an emotional hangover after such a crushing defeat. Against a Big 12 contender like Colorado, the Utes will need razor-sharp focus, discipline, and execution to knock off the Buffaloes on the road.