Utes vs. Buffs a Rivalry Renewed

Rumble in the Rockies

Most of us don't know this because we became fans while Utah was in the Mountain West and rarely played Colorado but the Utah Colorado game dates back to 1903 and Colorado is the 5th team most played by Utah. They have met 59 and the Buffs hold the series lead 31-25-3. 

This rivalry was a bit unknown to me and I'm pretty sure to most Utes fans because before 2011 Utah and Colorado played in 1962.... That was literally 25 years before I was even born. Apparently it was a pretty heated rivalry and the last two meetings have been no different. 

Two years ago Utah had an opportunity to play for the first ever PAC-12 Championship, all they had to do was beat if not the worst team one of the worst teams in the PAC-12 in Utah I might add. It was a cold wintery day at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Utes came out looking flat and lost a close one 17-14 with Coleman Peterson (a swear word to some Ute fans) missing 3 field goals that game. 

Last year Utah met the Buffs in Boulder. Utah had come into the game with a 4-7 record. Neither team was playing for a bowl but Utah wanted revenge from the previous years disappointment. Utah took the lead 35-28 with 8:41 left in the 4th quarter. Utah then kicked off the ball to Marques Mosely who took the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to tie the ball game 35-35 with 8:25 left to play. Colorado had purposely been kicking it away from Reggie Dunn who had taken 3 kick returns previously to this game. They decided or accidentally kicked to him and Reggie made them pay with a 100 yard kick return for a touchdown leaving 8:12 left to play. Utah held on to win it 42-35

This being said, Utah was forced to end the last game rivalry with BYU when Utah entered the PAC-12. Although BYU is Utah's biggest rival Colorado has reignited an old rivalry that has been quite entertaining and intense to watch. It is most definitely not that as big between the fan bases as say a BYU Utah game or a Colorado Colorado State game but for the past two years and for the next few, I'm perfectly satisfied playing the Buffs. 

Today's game is another year playing for a positive note. Utah is looking to leave their seniors with something positive to before they leave. They unfortunately didn't make a bowl but they can at least go out with a bang. Colorado is looking to do the same thing. I'll keep my statistical analysis brief this morning but here are a few to look at: 

Colorado:

Offense:

Both QB's for the Buffs have thrown for over 1,000 yards against a not so easy schedule. Colorado's wide receiver Paul Richardson has racked up over 1,200 yards receiving this season and will be a thorn in Utah's side all game long. Utah will need to know where he is on the field at all times. The Buffs are just average at rushing the football, nothing spectacular, 1,400 yards between 9 rushers. Colorado will give the ball to two primary backs. 

Defense: 

On average the Buffs give up 503 yards of offense for the opposing team. Colorado gives up 218 yards rushing and 283 yards in the air. Needless to say, not very impressive. Colorado has played some pretty prolific offenses but, they haven't seemed to stop too many people. Seven out of the last nine opponents have scored at least 40 points (Buffs have won 2 out of the last 9). 

Utah: 

Offense:

Adam Schulz (minus the terrible pick six he threw last week and I'm only mentioning that one because the other was due to Norwood bouncing the ball up off his hands) played a decent game. He didn't run the zone read the way he should have keeping the ball at least once but, he threw for 347 yards. Not too shabby and after those two pick six's he didn't throw another one all game. Utah also ran the ball with Kelvin York decently efficiently. Look for Utah to come out swinging and run/pass all over the field. Adam Schulz after really only 3 games of play time (one against one of the toughest pass defenses in the nation, Oregon) has thrown for 775 yards. For a backup this kid impresses me but he still has some work to do. He needs to sell the zone read. If Schulz doesn't keep it every now and then and burn the D with his feet, there is no reason to respect that threat and the D can focus in on the running back. 

Defense: 

Utah gives up nearly 100 less yards on defense at 404 yards per game. 137 yards on the ground and 266 in the air. All things considered, that's not too shabby with the offenses they have faced. Colorado has seen more success in the air than they have through the air which could spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for Utah. Utah will need to really find Richardson on the field and stick a CB and safety on him for some over the top protection. 

Prediction:

Utah: 47

Colorado: 27

Schulz: 22 for 32, 315 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT
Poole: 22 carries 134 yards, 1 TD

Defense: 350 yards, 3 TD's, 2 Field Goals