2011 Colorado Buffaloes Game Preview
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Preface
New coach Jon Embree is 1-2 in his first year at CU. A former Buffs tight end, he served as an assistant at Colorado for 10 season (1993-2002) under three different head coaches; Bill McCartney (1993-94), Rick Neuheisel (1995-98) and Gary Barnett (1999-2002). As a player he earned first-team all-Big 8 honors in 1984, setting school single-season records for receptions and receiving yards. He has put together a staff with some familiar names.
Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy was an excellent RB for the fine McCartney teams, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1990, when the Buffaloes won the AP National Championship. He scored on a 4th and 1 play in the final minute to beat Stanford in the second game of that season, after they had opened with a tie against Tennessee.
J.D. Brookhart is the offensive passing game coordinator, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator - he was the head coach at Akron from 2004-09, highlighted by the school's first MAC championship in 2005, which also earned the Zips their first-ever postseason bowl invitation. D-Line coach Kanavis McGhee was also an All-American in the McCartney era, and he played for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1994.
D-line assistant Mike Tuiasosopo has a familliar football name, being a cousin to D-lineman Manu (UCLA/Seahawks/49ers) and the uncle of Marques (QB for Washington). Linebacker coach Brian Cabral's name may be remembered by long-time Buckeye fans - he led CU with 13 tackles (12 solo) in the 1977 Orange Bowl against Ohio State.
Colorado has retired 3 jersey numbers in football: #24, #67, and #11.
#24, Byron 'Whizzer' White - White finished second in the 1937 Heisman Trophy voting (due to East Coast bias), setting national rushing and scoring records in an 8-game season that stood until teams played 10 game schedules. He was a class president, Phi Beta Kappa, a Rhodes Scholar, a two-time All-Pro halfback with Pittsburgh and Detroit, a leading graduate of the Yale Law School in 1946, a decorated naval intelligence officer in World War II, a deputy attorney general for the United States, and served 31 years as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice before retiring in 1993. White, a member of the NFL and College Football Halls-of-Fame, passed away at the age of 84 on April 15, 2002.
#67, Joe Romig -a two-time All-American selection, is a member of the Big Eight Hall-of-Fame and the National Football Foundation?s College Football Hall of Fame. Now a senior research associate in radio physics in Boulder, Romig was the Buffs? 1961 team captain and the UPI Lineman of the year. Romig was an excellent linebacker that also played on the pffensive line. Like White, he was a leader with extraordinary physical and mental abilities. Romig logged straight A?s in his last six semesters, building a 3.9 grade-point average. As a Rhodes Scholar, Joe received his master?s degree in physics at Oxford University in England, and later received a doctorate in physics at Colorado in 1975.
#11, Bobby Anderson - Anderson started his CU career as a quarterback but switched to tailback for the third game of his senior season (1969). In his career, he rushed for 2,729 yards and had over 5,000 yards in total offense. Anderson concluded his Colorado career with a 254-yard rushing effort in the 1969 Liberty Bowl as the Buffs beat Alabama 47-33. Anderson set 18 single-game, single-season and career marks during his three-season career with the Buffs, earning All-American honors. A professional player with Denver (the team?s No. 1 draft choice), Washington and New England, he currently is a Denver-area businessman, and has worked over two decades for KOA-Radio handling pre- and post-game shows as well as sideline reporting on the CU Football Network. In 1999, he received the prestigious University Medal, awarded to those who have performed outstanding service to or for the University. In December 2006, he became the fourth Buffalo to be inducted into the College Football Hall-of-Fame (Note - other HOF members are listed near the end of the Additional Information portion of this preview).
Other well-known Buffaloes include LBs Jordon Dizon and Alfred Williams; DBs Dick Anderson (a member of the 17-0 1972 Miami Dolphins) ,Mark Haynes, Deon Figures (Thorpe Award '92) and Chris Hudson ('94 Thorpe winner); QB/safety Hale Irwin (yes, the golfer who won 3 U.S. Opens and 45 Senior Tour events); WRs Cliff Branch ('70s Raiders) and Dave Logan (Browns '76-'83); TEs Daniel Graham and Don Hasselbeck (from Cincinnati LaSalle); O-Linemen Stan Brock, Andre Gurode, and Nate Solder; punters Mitch Berger, Barry Helton, Mark Mariscal, and Tom Rouen (something about the thin air), and kicker Mason Crosby.
And of course, in 1994 in Ann Arbor, Kordell Stewart got the ball at his own 15-yard line with 15 seconds remaining, and as time ran out with Keith Jackson calling the play, threw this 64-yard Hail Mary toward Michael Westbrook:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nt6HjqtJt8"]Miracle In Michigan: Kordell Stewart's Hail Mary Stuns Wolverines - YouTube[/ame]
Ohio State and Colorado have met four previous times, with the first meeting coming in 1971, when the 10th ranked Buffs knocked off the #6 Buckeyes in Columbus 20-14. The next matchup came in the 1977 Orange Bowl, where #11 tOSU downed #10 CU by a 27-10 count after falling behind 10-0. Woody got the offense fired up by moving Jeff Logan from TB to FB and putting Rod Gerald, who'd missed much of the '76 season with an injury, in at QB.
The Buckeyes won a 1985 game in Boulder by a 36-13 score. and the next year pulled out a 16-13 win in front of 88,404 fans in the Horseshoe on a field goal in the final minute. The Buckeye offense sputtered in the early going while the defense held the Colorado wishbone attack in check. A 29-yard field goal by Pat O'Morrow and a 14-yard scoring pass from Jim Karsatos to Cris Carter gave the Buckeyes a 10-0 lead at halftime. Colorado then came back to tie the game at 10-10 after a field goal and a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive with 5:21 remaining. On Ohio State's next possession, the Buckeyes marched to the Colorado 23. A Buffalo pass interference call on a third and 11 play moved the ball to the Colorado 8-yard line and O'Morrow drilled a 19-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining for the victory.
Ohio State is thus 3-1 all-time against Colorado, and is 55-26-2 all-time against current members from the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffs have lost 19 consecutive road games, not having won a road game since 2007 against Texas Tech.
The Buckeyes fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since Nov. 20, 2004 -- nearly 7 years and ending the nation's longest active streak of appearances in the Top 25 (103 straight weeks). The all-time record of 348 straight poll appearances is held by Nebraska.
Later in this preview, we'll look specifically at this year's offense, defense and special teams for both tOSU and Colorado. The preview also has a totally separate section that covers the opponent's coaching staff, recruiting, traditions, and history. It also contains the Behind the Numbers and The Lighter Side sections, and can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
Date and TimeOffensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy was an excellent RB for the fine McCartney teams, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1990, when the Buffaloes won the AP National Championship. He scored on a 4th and 1 play in the final minute to beat Stanford in the second game of that season, after they had opened with a tie against Tennessee.
J.D. Brookhart is the offensive passing game coordinator, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator - he was the head coach at Akron from 2004-09, highlighted by the school's first MAC championship in 2005, which also earned the Zips their first-ever postseason bowl invitation. D-Line coach Kanavis McGhee was also an All-American in the McCartney era, and he played for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1994.
D-line assistant Mike Tuiasosopo has a familliar football name, being a cousin to D-lineman Manu (UCLA/Seahawks/49ers) and the uncle of Marques (QB for Washington). Linebacker coach Brian Cabral's name may be remembered by long-time Buckeye fans - he led CU with 13 tackles (12 solo) in the 1977 Orange Bowl against Ohio State.
Colorado has retired 3 jersey numbers in football: #24, #67, and #11.
#24, Byron 'Whizzer' White - White finished second in the 1937 Heisman Trophy voting (due to East Coast bias), setting national rushing and scoring records in an 8-game season that stood until teams played 10 game schedules. He was a class president, Phi Beta Kappa, a Rhodes Scholar, a two-time All-Pro halfback with Pittsburgh and Detroit, a leading graduate of the Yale Law School in 1946, a decorated naval intelligence officer in World War II, a deputy attorney general for the United States, and served 31 years as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice before retiring in 1993. White, a member of the NFL and College Football Halls-of-Fame, passed away at the age of 84 on April 15, 2002.
#67, Joe Romig -a two-time All-American selection, is a member of the Big Eight Hall-of-Fame and the National Football Foundation?s College Football Hall of Fame. Now a senior research associate in radio physics in Boulder, Romig was the Buffs? 1961 team captain and the UPI Lineman of the year. Romig was an excellent linebacker that also played on the pffensive line. Like White, he was a leader with extraordinary physical and mental abilities. Romig logged straight A?s in his last six semesters, building a 3.9 grade-point average. As a Rhodes Scholar, Joe received his master?s degree in physics at Oxford University in England, and later received a doctorate in physics at Colorado in 1975.
#11, Bobby Anderson - Anderson started his CU career as a quarterback but switched to tailback for the third game of his senior season (1969). In his career, he rushed for 2,729 yards and had over 5,000 yards in total offense. Anderson concluded his Colorado career with a 254-yard rushing effort in the 1969 Liberty Bowl as the Buffs beat Alabama 47-33. Anderson set 18 single-game, single-season and career marks during his three-season career with the Buffs, earning All-American honors. A professional player with Denver (the team?s No. 1 draft choice), Washington and New England, he currently is a Denver-area businessman, and has worked over two decades for KOA-Radio handling pre- and post-game shows as well as sideline reporting on the CU Football Network. In 1999, he received the prestigious University Medal, awarded to those who have performed outstanding service to or for the University. In December 2006, he became the fourth Buffalo to be inducted into the College Football Hall-of-Fame (Note - other HOF members are listed near the end of the Additional Information portion of this preview).
Other well-known Buffaloes include LBs Jordon Dizon and Alfred Williams; DBs Dick Anderson (a member of the 17-0 1972 Miami Dolphins) ,Mark Haynes, Deon Figures (Thorpe Award '92) and Chris Hudson ('94 Thorpe winner); QB/safety Hale Irwin (yes, the golfer who won 3 U.S. Opens and 45 Senior Tour events); WRs Cliff Branch ('70s Raiders) and Dave Logan (Browns '76-'83); TEs Daniel Graham and Don Hasselbeck (from Cincinnati LaSalle); O-Linemen Stan Brock, Andre Gurode, and Nate Solder; punters Mitch Berger, Barry Helton, Mark Mariscal, and Tom Rouen (something about the thin air), and kicker Mason Crosby.
And of course, in 1994 in Ann Arbor, Kordell Stewart got the ball at his own 15-yard line with 15 seconds remaining, and as time ran out with Keith Jackson calling the play, threw this 64-yard Hail Mary toward Michael Westbrook:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nt6HjqtJt8"]Miracle In Michigan: Kordell Stewart's Hail Mary Stuns Wolverines - YouTube[/ame]
Ohio State and Colorado have met four previous times, with the first meeting coming in 1971, when the 10th ranked Buffs knocked off the #6 Buckeyes in Columbus 20-14. The next matchup came in the 1977 Orange Bowl, where #11 tOSU downed #10 CU by a 27-10 count after falling behind 10-0. Woody got the offense fired up by moving Jeff Logan from TB to FB and putting Rod Gerald, who'd missed much of the '76 season with an injury, in at QB.
The Buckeyes won a 1985 game in Boulder by a 36-13 score. and the next year pulled out a 16-13 win in front of 88,404 fans in the Horseshoe on a field goal in the final minute. The Buckeye offense sputtered in the early going while the defense held the Colorado wishbone attack in check. A 29-yard field goal by Pat O'Morrow and a 14-yard scoring pass from Jim Karsatos to Cris Carter gave the Buckeyes a 10-0 lead at halftime. Colorado then came back to tie the game at 10-10 after a field goal and a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive with 5:21 remaining. On Ohio State's next possession, the Buckeyes marched to the Colorado 23. A Buffalo pass interference call on a third and 11 play moved the ball to the Colorado 8-yard line and O'Morrow drilled a 19-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining for the victory.
Ohio State is thus 3-1 all-time against Colorado, and is 55-26-2 all-time against current members from the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffs have lost 19 consecutive road games, not having won a road game since 2007 against Texas Tech.
The Buckeyes fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since Nov. 20, 2004 -- nearly 7 years and ending the nation's longest active streak of appearances in the Top 25 (103 straight weeks). The all-time record of 348 straight poll appearances is held by Nebraska.
Later in this preview, we'll look specifically at this year's offense, defense and special teams for both tOSU and Colorado. The preview also has a totally separate section that covers the opponent's coaching staff, recruiting, traditions, and history. It also contains the Behind the Numbers and The Lighter Side sections, and can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
Date: Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Time: 3:30 ET Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Time: 3:30 ET Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Broadcast Information: TV Broadcast: ABC/ESPN2 reverse mirror: Mike Patrick (play-by-play, plus Britney Spears updates), Craig James (so-called analysis)
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS FM 97.1 The Fan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline); also on Sirius Radio channel 117 and XM 196.
2011 Colorado Buffaloes Offensive Preview
2011 Colorado Buffaloes Offensive Preview
The Dan Hawkins era mercifully came to an end last season, but not before Colorado fans saw their team drop entirely off of the national map of relevance. Hawkins brought a ton of hype from Boise State but managed just 21 wins in 5 seasons at Colorado and was perhaps best known for playing his own kid at QB. From 1987 to 1996 Colorado enjoyed its best decade and was a fixture of national prominence, winning at least 10 games 5 times and never losing more than 4. They have managed just one 10 win season since and are in desperate need of an overhaul. Enter Coach Jon Embree, an energetic alum and former NFL draft pick who is easy for Colorado fans to rally around. The offense is now run by former standout tailback Eric Bieniemy, who takes over after a decent stint on the Minnesota Viking Staff. Colorado has played Ohio State just twice in Columbus in the past, managing a 20-14 win in 1971 and dropping a 13-10 decision in 1986. Given the state of both offenses, it could be another low-scoring affair on Saturday.
Through 3 games Colorado sits 67th nationally in total offense with 394 yards per game. The passing game has been pretty effective thus far, racking up 322 yards per game, good for 17th nationally. The run game, however, has been abysmal, producing just 90 yards a contest and ranking 103rd nationally. Their 26 PPG average ranks T75. Colorado QBs have thrown just one INT but have been sacked 9 times, T12 most in the nation. In 3 games they have managed 63 first downs (T43) but have kept drives alive just 36.4% of the time on 3rd down (T79). Having dropped 2 of their first 3 games, including an OT heartbreaker to Cal, the Buffaloes will likely enter Saturday's game as a desperate team playing on the road with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Buckeyes will be wise to treat them that way and focus in on a passing game that has keyed a couple of late surges thus far.
Quarterbacks
QB #9 Tyler Hansen (6-1, 215, SR, Chaparral HS, Murrieta, CA)
Hansen has plenty of experience but has also been plagued by injuries. He started the final 7 games of the 2009 season as a sophomore and the first 7 last year before rupturing his spleen against Texas Tech. This season he's had 2 modest games (Hawaii and Colorado State) in the 225-250 yard range with 2 TDs each game, and one explosion against Cal in their overtime loss where he threw for 474 yards and 3 scores. Though he gets sacked quite a bit (33 times in 2009, 16 in 7 games in 2010, 9 thus far this year) He can run a bit and has both of the Buffalo rushing TDs this season.He takes pretty good care of the football when he puts it up, with only one INT this year and 18 over a 4 year career. He had just 15 career TD passes coming into the season, but opening up the passing offense has allowed 7 TD passes this year already. He seems to be gelling well with Eric Bieniemy's system and is formidable in the pocket. He doesn't throw for a very high percentage, but that could be due to throwing the ball away (low INT number) and throwing downfield as well. With 4 years in the program he is one of the leaders and team captains, and clearly this team will go only as far as he can take it.
Backing up Hansen is freshman Nick Hirschman (#8). He is a big kid with good size (6-3, 230) and appears to be the pro-style QB of the future, but he has not attempted a collegiate pass. Fellow freshman John Schrock (#14) rounds out the chart.
QB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Colorado QB versus OSU QB
Hansen: 61/111 (55.0%), 912 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT, 143.0 rating; 25/17, 2 TDs
Bauserman: 30/60 (50.0%), 365 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 123.1 rating; 11/36, 1 TD
Miller: 10/16 (62.5%), 152 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 150.4 rating; 13/62, 0 TDs
Hansen is not going to generate comparisons to Johnny Unitas, but he is a solid QB with good fundamentals who can deliver a good ball and takes care of it when he throws it. He is vulnerable to pressure in the pocket but can occasionally burn a defense with a scramble if there is a gap. With lots of game experience, the Buffs can count on him to keep his poise and keep his team in the game. To say the QB situation last week for the Buckeyes was a mess would be putting it kindly. Both the coaching staff and the players need to get it sorted out quickly, but until they do, the 2-headed monster may continue to be far from optimal. Many are calling for Miller time because of Bauserman's poor passing performance last week, but he is a true freshman and Joe didn't get a lot of help from his receivers downfield either. It appears that Guiton is not part of the conversation, so it will be some combination of Bauserman and Miller again this week. For now, the advantage goes to Colorado for polished skill and stability, though they have exactly zero experience to turn to should something happen to Hansen.
Edge: Colorado
Running Backs
TB #5 Rodney Stewart (5-6, 175, SR, Brookhaven HS, Westerville, OH)
FB #49 Evan Harrington (5-11, 230, SR, Bowie HS, Bowie, MD)
Stewart is a powerful jitterbug of a runner who was one of the Big XII's most underrated players...until Colorado left the Big XII. He has that Warrick Dunn-like ability to break one outside and also take a hit inside and get lost in the mass of humanity to break a big one up the middle. He gained 804 yards and scored 9 TDs as a sophomore in 2009 and then improved on those numbers by gaining 1318 yards and scoring 10 TDs on 4.5 yards per carry last year. He also has 66 career receptions and is tied for the team lead with 18 this year, so he is a primary option in the passing game. He has been hurt by the flux along the front line, and his season got off to a slow start. However he had a better game last week, rushing for 98 yards and catching 7 passes for 93 yards on the way to being named the team's offensive player of the game in their first victory over hated rival Colorado State. Ironically if he rushes for 1200 yards this season he will overtake his OC as the all-time leader in rushing yards at Colorado. He is durable, dependable, tough to tackle for his size and deceptive toughness, and he is an all-around threat because he has solid hands and can get open on the flank in the passing game.
Backing up Stewart is freshman Tony Jones (#26), who in size and stature is a carbon copy of Stewart (5-7, 175). He has seen limited action thus far, gaining 23 yards on 6 carries, all against Colorado State last week. Harrington is a JUCO transfer who starts at fullback after moving from LB/special teams last season.
RB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Colorado RB versus OSU RB
Stewart: 61/223 yards, 0 TDs, 3.7 YPC; 18 rec/277 yards, 0 TDs, 15.4 YPR
Jones: 6/23 yards, 0 TDs, 3.8 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Hyde: 51/223 yards, 2 TDs, 4.4 YPC; 6 rec/51 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR
Hall: 14/87 yards, 0 TDs, 6.2 YPC; 1 rec/4 yards, 0 TDs, 4.0 YPR
Like Miami last week, the Buffs' best offensive player may be their tailback, as Stewart can burn a defense in the running and passing attacks. He stays on the field for the vast majority of the snaps, so his conditioning and durability are outstanding. The Buffs don't really have a change of pace bruiser, as all of their 5 backs on the depth chart are of about the same height and build. Thus Stewart stays on the field for most of the plays. The Buckeyes are deep and feature some solid contributors in their first year of really playing on the offense each week due to the suspension of Herron. Hyde has looked reasonably good and since Hall debuted he has shown flashes of explosiveness. Like the QB position, polished skill and experience go to Colorado, and the threat Stewart presents in the passing game adds another dimension to what he brings to the table.
Edge: Colorado
Wide Receivers
WR-X #17 Toney Clemons (6-2, 210, SR, H.L. Valley HS, New Kensington, PA)
WR-Z #6 Paul Richardson (6-1, 175, SO, Serra HS, Gardena, CA)
Richardson is the best of this bunch, as he has good height and good speed and can break a big play downfield at any time. He was honorable mention Big XII offensive freshman of the year after catching 34 passes for 514 yards and 6 TDs last season. This year he already has 18 receptions and 2 scores, highlighted by his 11 catch, 284 yard, 2 TD game against a California team that had absolutely no ability to cover him at any point in the game. On the other side, Clemons caught 43 passes for 482 yards and 3 TDs last season, so one would think he would be a regular contributor as well. He has gotten off to a slow start, however, catching just one pass in the first 2 games before a mini-breakout last week with 3 receptions for 65 yards and TD. He is a bigger target with decent hands who could post problems in the end zone against a shorter corner.
The backups provide some depth. The top reserve is senior Kyle Cefalo (#35). He caught 6 passes last season and has been a regular in the rotation this year, catching at least one pass in each game for a total of 53 yards and a score. He is smallish (5-10, 170) but elusive. Freshman Tyler McCulloch (#87) has a big frame (6-5, 205) and good speed. He had 2 receptions in each of the first 2 games. Fellow freshmen Austin Vincent (#81), Kennan Canty (#4) and Nelson Spence (#22) round out the chart along with senior Georgia transfer Logan Gray (#2).
WR Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Colorado WRs versus OSU WRs
Richardson: 18 catches, 360 yards, 4 TDs, 20.0 YPR
Clemons: 4 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, 18.5 YPR
McCulloch: 4 catches, 36 yards, 0 TDs, 9.0 YPR
Smith: 5 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD, 23.8 YPR
Reed: 5 catches, 89 yards, 0 TDs, 17.8 YPR
Richardson is the best player of this group by far at this point, He is dangerous downfield and can wreak havoc on a defense, as Cal can attest. The Buckeye receivers didn't do much at all last week and one has to question how good they can be against quality competition given their lack of experience and gamebreaking playmaking ability. Clearly there is plenty of raw talent there, but until Posey comes back, this team will continue to search for an identity at the WR spot. Injuries haven't helped matters either. Colorado has a lot of freshmen in their rotation, but between the explosiveness of Richardson and the experience of Clemons, they can overcome it at least somewhat. Hansen has made this group look good thus far, and if Clemens steps up like he did last season defenses will have trouble guarding all of the Buffalo options.
Edge: Colorado
Tight Ends
TE #34 Ryan Deehan (6-5, 245, SR, Poway HS, Poway, CA)
The Buffalos are deep at TE in experience. Deehan started 5 games as a sophomore in 2009 and then was honorable mention All-Big XII last year when he caught 25 passes for 249 yards and a TD. Thus far this year he has 7 receptions for 86 yards and a score, so he is likely to improve on those numbers. He didn't play much of a role as a receiver last week, but he caught 3 passes in each of the first 2 games. Backup and fellow senior Matthew Bahr (#43) is a mauler (6-4, 260) who can also play some H-back and fullback. He is primarily a blocker but does have one reception this season. Sophomore DaVaughn Thornton (#85) is the heir-apparent and has a couple of receptions this year thus far. He is likely to see plenty of action on the field this season.
TE Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Colorado TE versus OSU TE
Deehan: 7 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD, 12.3 YPR
Stoneburner: 8 catches, 93 yards, 4 TDs, 11.6 YPR
Both teams are deep, with multiple quality players with plenty of game experience. Deehan is a steady contributor who can block and catch equally well. Stoneburner started the season a house of fire but as the passing game has waned, so has his production. One wonders if this will be another season when the fans look at the TE position and ask: What if? Production and experience are similar here, so it is too close to call.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
LT #53 Ryan Dannewitz (6-6, 295, JR, San Jacinto HS, San Jacinto, CA)
LG #63 Ethan Adkins (6-4, 290, SR, Douglas County HS, Castle Rock, CO)
C #52 Daniel Munyer (6-2, 290, FR, Notre Dame HS, Tarzana, CA)
RG #73 Ryan Miller (6-8, 295, SR, Columbine HS, Littleton, CO)
RT #79 Sion Tau (6-5, 335, SR, Damien Memorial HS, Honolulu, HI)
After losing Solder to the NFL, the Buffaloes have already been decimated by injuries, leaving them painfully thin and vulnerable up front. Both tackles who started the opener, David Bakhtiari and Jack Harris, are injured, and a 3rd senior lineman, Shawn Daniels, is also out. As for the players remaining, on the left side, Dannewitz entered the season as a special teams player seldom used on offense, but he has had the task of replacing Solder. He is a bit undersized but is versatile, with ability to play guard or tackle. Adkins entered the season with 20 career starts and is a solid player with good technique, despite being a touch undersized in the interior. In the middle, Munyer exploded onto the scene with a phenomenal spring practice where he was named top freshman. He is listed atop the depth chart with sophomore Gus Handler (#76) who has a similar size and build. Munyer is an apparent future star in the making, but is questionable due to injury this week, so Handler may end up getting the start. The right side is more solidified, with Miller being easily the best player of the group. He started 7 games as a freshman, was honorable All-Big XII as a sophomore in 2009, was honorable mention all-Big XII again last year after making 12 starts, and he was listed on many pre-season awards lists and All-America teams. He has a solid build, good technique, and is adept at both pass and run blocking. The gargantuan Tau was highly recruited and finally gets a chance to play at RT after a tumultuous career that has seen him suspended in the past. He is a monster who can maul in the run game and make it very difficult to get around him in the passing game as well.
The line is dreadfully thin, as Dannewitz and Tau are listed as primary backups at other positions (RT and RG, respectively). Other than Handler in the middle, the rest of the players on the 2-deep are freshmen, including Alexander Lewis (#71) and Paulay Asiata (#50). If they lose anyone to injury they could be in serious trouble.
OL Rating: C-
Head-to-Head: Colorado OL versus OSU OL
Miller is a great player who could start for pretty much anyone in the country, and along with Solder he has given the Buffaloes years of outstanding line play. However the rest of the line is somewhat of a mix of upperclassmen with little playing experience and underclassmen who are eager but even less experienced as a result of the injury bug. They have already given up 9 sacks and the running game has been way below average thus far, which does not reflect well on the quality of the line play. It is hard to forsee anyone but Miller containing Simon and the Buckeye front 7, which could lead to some big plays on defense.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
Hard to know exactly what to make of the Buffaloes. They have a senior-laden depth chart at the skill positions and have put some points up against a level of competition that is higher than probably at least 90% of the rest of the teams over a 3 game stretch. The QB play has been good as they have not thrown many INTs and have a 7:1 TD/INT ratio, but the completion percentage is low and the running game has really underachieved, though Stewart is clearly one of the better tailbacks in the PAC 12. The biggest issue is the line, which is shaky at best except for Miller. Unless the Buffalo line overachieves and gels quickly, it could be another long game for the Buffaloes despite their talent at skill positions, with a push at the end to get back in it by throwing downfield.
Overall Offensive Rating: B-
2011 Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Preview
Greg Brown is in his first year as defensive coordinator, and his third stint at the University of Colorado under as many head coaches, as Jon Embree brought him back as a member of his inaugural coaching staff on December 17, 2010. He had barely been gone from Boulder for a year before the call came for him to return. He spent the 2010 season as the co-defensive coordinator at the University of Arizona, helping return the Wildcats to the nation?s Top 25 for the first time in over a decade. At CU, he had most recently served as secondary coach for four seasons (2006-09), the last three as defensive passing game coordinator, after returning in 2006 to the state of Colorado for the fourth time in his professional career. Brown, 53, resurfaced at CU in January 2006, named to the staff of new Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins following the completion of the 2005 National Football League season. He wrapped up his fourth and final year as a defensive assistant with the NFL's New Orleans Saints under coach Jim Haslett. In that 2005 season, the Saints' pass defense ranked third in the entire NFL, allowing a paltry 178 yards per game. A 15-year NFL coaching veteran, developing top notch defensive backs became his specialty as he was often sought after for new coaching staffs around the league, working with six different teams in his professional career.
In his four seasons during his second stint at Colorado, he helped tutor Terrence Wheatley, coaching him to first-team All-Big 12 honors and a second round NFL draft pick by the New England Patriots. He also tutored a pair of young cornerbacks in Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown, the former a two-time All-Big 12 performer, as well as their coach for the 2010 season, Ashley Ambrose, who Brown recommended to Hawkins as a graduate assistant; he would replace Brown as secondary coach after his move to Arizona. He coached the secondary for three years (1991-93) at Colorado under coach Bill McCartney, tutoring a pair of Jim Thorpe Award winners during his first days at CU: cornerbacks Deon Figures (the 1992 winner) and Chris Hudson (the ?94 winner). Colorado led the nation in pass completion defense and the Big Eight in pass defense in 1992; he also coached the kickoff coverage unit on special teams for the Buffs. He joined the CU staff days after the Buffs won their first national championship (January 7, 1991), and returned to the NFL in 1994, joining the Atlanta staff as defensive backs coach; the Falcons finished second that season in the league with 23 interceptions.
He spent the 1995-96 seasons as the secondary coach for San Diego, with the Chargers finishing in the top five both years in fewest yards allowed per completion. He also coached Rodney Harrison, who eventually would become one of the league?s top safeties. He moved on to the Tennessee Oilers, coaching the secondary in both 1997 and 1998; he again coached three of the top defensive backs in the game, cornerback Samari Rolle and safeties Blaine Bishop and All-Pro Marcus Robertson. In 1999, he served as the defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers; a twist with this was that had he not received an NFL offer, he was set to return to Colorado as a member of Gary Barnett's staff when he replaced Rick Neuheisel in January of that year. He rejoined the Atlanta Falcons as secondary coach for the 2000 and 2001 seasons before moving on to New Orleans, where he was a defensive assistant for quality control in 2002 before being promoted to defensive assistant/cornerbacks coach in 2003, a position he held for three seasons with the Saints. He began his coaching career in 1981 as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas-El Paso, his alma mater, where he worked with the secondary. The following year, 1982, he came back to Colorado, working that fall as a defensive coach at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood. He made his first move to the professional ranks the following spring, joining the staff of the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL). He coached the secondary for the Gold for two seasons (1983, 1984) before moving on to the National Football League for the first time in the summer of 1984, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff. For the Bucs, he coached three different positions: defensive quality control (1984), offensive quality control (1985) and the U-backs/tight ends (1986). Brown returned to the college game in 1987, coaching the defensive backs for two seasons at the University of Wyoming before doing the same at Purdue University for the 1989 and 1990 campaigns. He then returned home to Colorado for a second time in joining McCartney's staff in 1991. He graduated from the UTEP in 1980 with a bachelor?s degree in education (history/physical education).
The Buffs have good numbers in yielding 3.77 yards per rush, and 6.30 yards per passing attempt, and 318.7 yards/game. They have given up an average of 28 points in their games against Hawaii, Cal, and Colorado State. A troublesome indicator is their having yielded 11 first downs by penalty.
They are having difficulty getting off the field on 3rd down (allowing 47.6% conversion), and real trouble with their red zone defense. Opponents have scored on all 11 red zone possessions (5.9 points/possession) and in 5 first-and-goal situations, all 5 of those have been converted into TDs. Another issue is the lack of turnovers, with 2 fumbles and only 1 interception registered by their defense through 3 games.
Defensive Line
LDE #83 Will Pericak (6-4, 285, Jr., Boulder HS, Boulder, CO)
NT #93 Conrad Obi (6-3, 290, Sr., Grayson HS, Grayson, GA)
RDE #9 Chidera Uzo-Diribe (6-3, 240, So., Corona HS, Corona, CA)
Pericak started at NT for the previous two seasons, and was actually the first freshman to start an entire season as a DT for Colorado when he did that in 2009. He earned honorable mention All-Big XII last year with 45 tackles (2 sacks), and a blocked FG against Colorado State. So far this year he's totalled 14 tackles and 1 QB pressure.
Pericak was moved a DE spot in the 3-4 alignment to make room at NT for Obi, a senior who was their breakout player during spring practice after primarily being a special teams player in prior seasons. He had a blocked FG against Oklahoma State in 2009, and has quickness that can be disruptive in the middle.
The other DE spot is manned by Uzo-Diribe, who missed most of spring practice with a fractured toe suffered in the winter. He played in all 12 games last year, including one start at Kansas. He recorded 11 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, in just 148 snaps played as a true freshman last year. He has 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the 3 games played so far in 2011.
Depth is provided by LDE: #50 Curtis Cunningham (6-1, 285, Sr.) who started all 24 games over the previous 2 seasons, and was credited with 48 solo tackles and 3 sacks during that time; NT #94 Nate Bonsu (6-1, 285, So.), who tallied 5 tackles as a true freshman against Nebraska in 2009, but took a redshirt year in 2010 due to a knee injury; and RDE: #95 Tony Poremba (6-1. 230. Sr.) a former walk-on with limited game experience. Also providing depth inside is #70 Eric Richter, who is a converted OG that would make similarly-named Eric Lichter (tOSU strength coach) proud with his 500+ pound bench press.
DL Rating: C+
Head-to-Head: Colorado DL versus OSU DL
It will be a challenge for CU's starting defensive front to hold up under tOSU's inside running game. They have a couple guys with decent size and experience, but their starting lineup only has two players over 240 pounds in their front 7. It makes sense for Colorado to look at the Toledo game and have LBs and safeties moving forward at the snap. Since Ohio State will probably begin the game with limited passing attempts and a concerted effort to establish the power and iso plays, look for Colorado to add more beef up front if they are giving up chunks on the ground despite having 8 or 9 guys in the box most of the time.
The Buckeyes are better at pressuring the QB, forcing quick throws if not tallying a lot of sacks. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes will surely test the rushing defense while trying to mix in play-action to keep Colorado somewhat honest.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
Jack LB #17 Josh Hartigan (6-1, 230, Sr., Northeast HS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Mike LB #3 Douglas Rippy (6-3, 230, Jr., Trotwood-Madison HS, Trotwood, OH)
Will LB #5 Derrick Webb (6-0, 220, So., Whitehaven HS. Memphis, TN)
Sam LB #30 Jon Major (6-2 230, Jr., Ponderosa HS, Parker, CO)
The Buffs alignment has the spots they call Mike and Will on the inside, and Sam and Jack on the outside. The Will is manned by smaller guys than they have at Jack, which they deploy as a pass-rushing OLB.
Mike linebacker Douglas Rippy from Trotwood-Madison (and Columbus Linden McKinley before that) got a look from some B1G schools (MSU and Nebraska offers) before heading to Colorado in 2008. He has 18 solo and 26 total tackles, along with 2 sacks and 3 QB pressures.
Sam LB Jon Major, a team captain, has the team's only interception so far this season, which was caused by pressure that Rippy put on the Cal QB. Major also has 19 tackles this year, and is the leading returning tackler (57), and only returning starter from last year's LB squad, despite missing the final 5 games of 2010 with a severe MCL sprain.
Hartigan was a starting DE last year, but has been shifted to an OLB spot in the 3-4 defense. He is able to provide a pass rush from the LB spot, with 2 sacks in the first 3 games, after getting 7 as a DE last year, when he earned 2nd team all-Big XII honors.
After missing most of spring practice with a hip injury, Derrick Webb started the fall backing up the Mike spot, but he is now the starting Will. He made 5 solo stops in his only start last season, which was against Oklahoma.
Depth for the inside spots is provided by #12 Patrick Mahnke (6-1, 210, Sr.), a former safety who made 35 tackles last year but only has 3 so far in 2011, and #54 Brady Daigh (6-2, 235, Fr.) who has no stats for the 3 plays he's participated in this season. The backup Sam is #48 Liloa Nobriga (6-2, 240, So.), who started 5 games after Major was injured last year. In his five starts, he recorded 35 tackles, including a career-high 11 at Kansas (8 solo) and 10 at Nebraska (7 solo). The backup at the Jack OLB spot, after an injury to #55 David Goldberg (6-1, 245, Sr.), is #2 Juda Parker (6-3, 250, Fr.), who has only been on the field for 1 defensive snap so far, so as with Daigh, his abilities remain to be seen.
LB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Colorado LBs versus OSU LBs
This is a group that has good experience and playmaking ability on the outside, but lacks size and toughness on the inside. The Colorado LBs will have difficulty slowing down the power inside running game of the Buckeyes.
The Buckeye LBs (Sweat. Sabino, Klein, and Moeller) have more size than their Buffaloes counterparts, and while they have had some issues with overpursuit and missed tackles, will likely do a better job of stopping their opposing offense.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
LCB #13 Parker Orms (5-11, 190, So., Wheat Ridge HS, Wheat Ridge, CO)
FS #26 Ray Polk (6-1, 205, Jr., Brophy Prep, Scottsdale, AZ)
SS #7 Anthony Perkins (5-10, 200, Sr., Northglenn HS, Northglenn, CO)
RCB #20 Greg Henderson (5-11, 185, Fr., Norco HS, Corona, CA)
Parker Orms only played in 1 game in 2010, registering 3 tackles before tearing an ACL in the opening game. He missed spring practice but is CU's leading tackler with 28 so far in 2011, along with 1 sack and 2 PBUs. It speaks well for Orms but not well for the overall defense when a CB is the leading tackler.
Polk, a former tailback, started all 12 games at free safety last year, finishing second on the team in tackles with 72 (42 solo). He also started 3 games as a freshman in 2009, including a 15-tackle effort against Kansas State.
Perkins, another team captain, returns after missing the last half of 2010 with a torn ACL suffered in the Mizzou game. He had been the team's leading tackler with 38 in their first 5 games. He also started all 12 games in 2009, finishing third on the team in tackles. He has 15 tackles so far this year, and 3 career interceptions.
Henderson has earned a starting CB spot as a true freshman, and has 11 tackles and a forced fumble in his first 3 games. He has good speed but like most freshmen sometimes has trouble in coverage.
Their nickel back, who is out with an injury, but would have seen limited action in this game, is #19 Travis Sandersfeld, (6-0, 205, Sr.). His role will be filed by backup CB #25 Ayodeji Olatoye (6-1, 190, So.) a redshirt sophomore from Dublin Scioto who played mostly on special teams last year (6 of his 13 total tackles).
Other secondary depth is provided by: CB #39 Josh Moten (6-0, 195, rFr.), who grayshirted in 2009 and redshirted last year; FS #41 Terrel Smith (5-8, 180, So.) who had his redshirt burned when Perkins was hurt in game 6, but finished third on the team with 60 total tackles, the third highest total for a true frosh at CU.
Besides Smith, who can play the nickel and both safety spots, two freshmen also backup the safety spots: FS #28 Will Harlos (6-3, 185, Fr.) a lanky guy with good speed, and strong safety #4 Kyle Washington (6-1, 200, Fr.) who can also play CB.
DB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Colorado DBs versus OSU DBs
Despite some injury issues, the Buffaloes have experienced players at the safety spots. Colorado hasn't given up too many big plays, and they didn't give up a lot of passing yards to Hawaii, but that was because Hawaii was playing with the lead.
The Buckeyes have very little experience at receiver right now, and that was felt last week. Ohio State will probably use a conservative game plan again this week, mixing in occasional deep balls on play-action. And hopefully they'll be able to once again locate the tight end.
Colorado has relied on the passing game so far this year, averaging over 300 yards in the air and only 90 on the ground. The Buckeyes should be in nickel often again this week, and will need a good pass rush to pressure Tyler Hansen. The Buckeye secondary has 3 solid CBs in Howard, Roby, and Clarke, who will be tested. Once again, better athletes give the overall edge to the Buckeyes.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Colorado's defense has respectable yardage numbers after facing Hawaii, Cal, and Colorado State. They are getting a decent pass rush (4 sacks/game), but they've only forced an average of 1 turnover per contest. They have difficulty getting off the field on third down, have taken too many penalties, and they have been poor in stopping their opponents inside the red zone. Due to an undersized front, they will probably have to bring extra bodies into the box consistently in order to slow down the Buckeyes' power running game. Whether the tOSU passing attack can take advantage of that remains to be seen.
Overall Defensive Rating: B-
2011 Colorado Buffaloes Special Teams Preview
The Buckeyes Special Teams were some of the few highlights from last week's loss to the Miami Hurricanes. They hope to continue this against the Colorado Buffaloes of the PAC-12 this weekend at Ohio Stadium.
Season Stats
Colorado
Punting:
Darragh O'Neill 15 for 688 yards, 45.87 avg, 56 long, 6 inside the 20, 2 blocked, 11th Nationally
Punt Returns:
Rodney steward 2 for 9 yards, 4.5 avg, 8 long (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Paul Richardson 1 for 4 yards, 4.0 avg (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Kickoff Returns: (none meet min returns to be ranked)
Toney Clemons 2 for 47 yards, 23.5 avg, 33 long
Kyle Washington 2 for 35 yards, 17.5 avg, 20 long
Tony Jones 1 for 16 yards, 16.0 avg
Brian Lockridge 4 for 51 yards, 12.8 avg, 20 long
Arthur Jaffee 2 for 21 yards, 10.5 avg, 17 long
Evan Harrington 1 for 6 yards, 6.0 avg
Team: 12 for 176 yds, 14.67 avg (120th Nationally)
Punt Return Defense: 8 for 81 yards, 10.13 avg (82nd Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense: 9 for 209 yards, 23.22 avg (85th Nationally)
Ohio State
Punting: Ben Buchanan 15 for 639 yards, 42.6 avg (29th Nationally)
Punt Returns:
Corey Brown 2 for 28 yds, 14 avg, 17 long (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Devin Smith 1 for 3 yds (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Chris Fields 4 for 84 yrds, 21.00 avg, 1 TD (5th Nationally)
Team: 9 for 147 yrds, 16.3 avg, 1 TD (9th Nationally)
Kickoff Returns: (None have min number of returns to qualify for NCAA ranking)
Jaamal Berry 7 for 150 yds, 21.4 avg, 28 long
Corey Brown 1 for 44 yds
Tony Jackson 1 for 10 yds
Team: 9 for 204 yds, 22.67 avg (51st Nationally)
Punt Return Defense: 5 for 74 yds, 14.8 avg (99th Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense: 11 for 201 yds, 18.27 avg, 4 touchbacks (27th Nationally)
Special Teams
Colorado (CUBuffs.com)
Placekicker/Kickoffs:
#91 Will Oliver (5-10, 195, Fr., Harvard-Westlak HS, Los Angeles, CA)
Punter:
#8 Darragh O'Neill (6-2, 180, Fr., Fairview HS, Boulder, CO)
Punt Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#6 Paul Richardson (6-1, 175, So., Serra HS, Gardena, CA)
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#5 Rodney Stewart (5-6, 175, Sr., Brookhaven HS, Columbus, OH)
#4 Keenan Canty (5-9, 155, Fr., Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, LA)
[/FONT] [FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Kickoff Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#20 Brian Lockridge (5-7, 180, Sr., Mission Viejo HS, Trabuco Canyon, CA)
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#26 Tony Jones (5-7, 175, Fr., Don Bosco Prep HS, Patterson, NJ)
[/FONT]#22 Arthur Jaffee (5-11, 215, Sr., Fairview HS, Boulder, CO)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#4 Keenan Canty (5-9, 155, Fr., Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, LA)[/FONT]
Holder:
#14 Justin Gorman (6-0 195, Fr., Manheim Central HS, Manheim, PA)
Long Snapper:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#69 Ryan Iverson (6-0, 215, So., Newport Harbor HS, Newport Beach, CA)[/FONT]
Ohio State (Rivals)
Punter:
#17 Ben Buchanan (6-0, 195, So., Central HS, Westerville, OH)
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
Place Kicker/Kickoffs:
#24 Drew Basil (6-1, 206, So., Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, OH)
#20 Russel Doup (6-1, 180, Fr., Mt Vernon HS, Mt Vernon, OH)
Long Snapper:
#56 George Makridis (5-11, 236, So., Harding HS, Warren, OH)
#54 Bryce Haynes (6-4, 185, Fr., Pinecrest HS, Cumming, GA)
Holder:
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
#14 Joe Bauserman (6-1, 233, Sr., Lincoln HS, Strasburg, VA)
Punt Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#10 Corey Brown (5-11, 170, So., Cardinal O'Hara HS, Upper Darby, PA)
#80 Chris Fields (6-0, 185, So., Harvey HS, Painesville, OH)
Kickoff Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#4 Jaamal Berry (5-10, 200, So., Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, FL)
Head-to-Head Colorado Punt team vs. Ohio State Punt Return Team: The statistics in this matchup are trending towards the Buckeyes. Ranking 9th Nationally as a team the Buckeyes will be tough in the punt return game having already scored 1 TD. The Buffaloes have not experienced as much success, giving up an average of over 10 yards per return and only rank 89th in the nation. They have also had 2 punts blocked already this season.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Colorado Kickoff team vs. Ohio State Kickoff Return Team: In terms of statistics, the Buckeyes are middle-of-the-pack, ranking 51st in the nation on returning kicks. They average 22.67 yards per return. The Buffaloes are giving up over 23 yards per return on average to rank 85th in the nation. With Berry and Hall returning kicks, there is always a threat that one will go all the way.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Ohio State Punt team vs. Colorado Punt Return Team: Ben Buchanan enjoyed a pretty good game last week against the Miami Hurricanes, averaging over 46 yards per punt placing 3 inside the 20. The Ohio State punt return defense team is allowing over 14 yards per return, - a cause for concern. However, the Buffs haven't bowled anyone over here either, having returned only 3 punts for 13 yards, a 4.33 average.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head: Ohio State Kickoff team vs. Colorado Kickoff Return Team: This is where the Buffaloes are in real trouble. They have had a really bad year so far in their kickoff return units, ranking dead last (120th of 120) statistically. As a team they have returned 12 kickoffs for 176 yds, a not-so-good 14.67 avg. The Buckeye kickoff team, on the other hand, are only allowing an average of 18.27 yards per return with 4 touchbacks, good for 27th in the nation. This might be the game where Ohio State takes one back.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Going into the 4th game of the season, the Buckeye Special Teams units have performed much better that last year at this time, when they had already allowed 3 TDs (1 each of punt return, kickoff return, and FG block return). Chris Fields has also taken one to the house on a return. Look for Ohio State to win the Special Teams battle in this one.
PredictionsThrough 3 games Colorado sits 67th nationally in total offense with 394 yards per game. The passing game has been pretty effective thus far, racking up 322 yards per game, good for 17th nationally. The run game, however, has been abysmal, producing just 90 yards a contest and ranking 103rd nationally. Their 26 PPG average ranks T75. Colorado QBs have thrown just one INT but have been sacked 9 times, T12 most in the nation. In 3 games they have managed 63 first downs (T43) but have kept drives alive just 36.4% of the time on 3rd down (T79). Having dropped 2 of their first 3 games, including an OT heartbreaker to Cal, the Buffaloes will likely enter Saturday's game as a desperate team playing on the road with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Buckeyes will be wise to treat them that way and focus in on a passing game that has keyed a couple of late surges thus far.
Quarterbacks
QB #9 Tyler Hansen (6-1, 215, SR, Chaparral HS, Murrieta, CA)
Hansen has plenty of experience but has also been plagued by injuries. He started the final 7 games of the 2009 season as a sophomore and the first 7 last year before rupturing his spleen against Texas Tech. This season he's had 2 modest games (Hawaii and Colorado State) in the 225-250 yard range with 2 TDs each game, and one explosion against Cal in their overtime loss where he threw for 474 yards and 3 scores. Though he gets sacked quite a bit (33 times in 2009, 16 in 7 games in 2010, 9 thus far this year) He can run a bit and has both of the Buffalo rushing TDs this season.He takes pretty good care of the football when he puts it up, with only one INT this year and 18 over a 4 year career. He had just 15 career TD passes coming into the season, but opening up the passing offense has allowed 7 TD passes this year already. He seems to be gelling well with Eric Bieniemy's system and is formidable in the pocket. He doesn't throw for a very high percentage, but that could be due to throwing the ball away (low INT number) and throwing downfield as well. With 4 years in the program he is one of the leaders and team captains, and clearly this team will go only as far as he can take it.
Backing up Hansen is freshman Nick Hirschman (#8). He is a big kid with good size (6-3, 230) and appears to be the pro-style QB of the future, but he has not attempted a collegiate pass. Fellow freshman John Schrock (#14) rounds out the chart.
QB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Colorado QB versus OSU QB
Hansen: 61/111 (55.0%), 912 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT, 143.0 rating; 25/17, 2 TDs
Bauserman: 30/60 (50.0%), 365 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 123.1 rating; 11/36, 1 TD
Miller: 10/16 (62.5%), 152 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 150.4 rating; 13/62, 0 TDs
Hansen is not going to generate comparisons to Johnny Unitas, but he is a solid QB with good fundamentals who can deliver a good ball and takes care of it when he throws it. He is vulnerable to pressure in the pocket but can occasionally burn a defense with a scramble if there is a gap. With lots of game experience, the Buffs can count on him to keep his poise and keep his team in the game. To say the QB situation last week for the Buckeyes was a mess would be putting it kindly. Both the coaching staff and the players need to get it sorted out quickly, but until they do, the 2-headed monster may continue to be far from optimal. Many are calling for Miller time because of Bauserman's poor passing performance last week, but he is a true freshman and Joe didn't get a lot of help from his receivers downfield either. It appears that Guiton is not part of the conversation, so it will be some combination of Bauserman and Miller again this week. For now, the advantage goes to Colorado for polished skill and stability, though they have exactly zero experience to turn to should something happen to Hansen.
Edge: Colorado
Running Backs
TB #5 Rodney Stewart (5-6, 175, SR, Brookhaven HS, Westerville, OH)
FB #49 Evan Harrington (5-11, 230, SR, Bowie HS, Bowie, MD)
Stewart is a powerful jitterbug of a runner who was one of the Big XII's most underrated players...until Colorado left the Big XII. He has that Warrick Dunn-like ability to break one outside and also take a hit inside and get lost in the mass of humanity to break a big one up the middle. He gained 804 yards and scored 9 TDs as a sophomore in 2009 and then improved on those numbers by gaining 1318 yards and scoring 10 TDs on 4.5 yards per carry last year. He also has 66 career receptions and is tied for the team lead with 18 this year, so he is a primary option in the passing game. He has been hurt by the flux along the front line, and his season got off to a slow start. However he had a better game last week, rushing for 98 yards and catching 7 passes for 93 yards on the way to being named the team's offensive player of the game in their first victory over hated rival Colorado State. Ironically if he rushes for 1200 yards this season he will overtake his OC as the all-time leader in rushing yards at Colorado. He is durable, dependable, tough to tackle for his size and deceptive toughness, and he is an all-around threat because he has solid hands and can get open on the flank in the passing game.
Backing up Stewart is freshman Tony Jones (#26), who in size and stature is a carbon copy of Stewart (5-7, 175). He has seen limited action thus far, gaining 23 yards on 6 carries, all against Colorado State last week. Harrington is a JUCO transfer who starts at fullback after moving from LB/special teams last season.
RB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Colorado RB versus OSU RB
Stewart: 61/223 yards, 0 TDs, 3.7 YPC; 18 rec/277 yards, 0 TDs, 15.4 YPR
Jones: 6/23 yards, 0 TDs, 3.8 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Hyde: 51/223 yards, 2 TDs, 4.4 YPC; 6 rec/51 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR
Hall: 14/87 yards, 0 TDs, 6.2 YPC; 1 rec/4 yards, 0 TDs, 4.0 YPR
Like Miami last week, the Buffs' best offensive player may be their tailback, as Stewart can burn a defense in the running and passing attacks. He stays on the field for the vast majority of the snaps, so his conditioning and durability are outstanding. The Buffs don't really have a change of pace bruiser, as all of their 5 backs on the depth chart are of about the same height and build. Thus Stewart stays on the field for most of the plays. The Buckeyes are deep and feature some solid contributors in their first year of really playing on the offense each week due to the suspension of Herron. Hyde has looked reasonably good and since Hall debuted he has shown flashes of explosiveness. Like the QB position, polished skill and experience go to Colorado, and the threat Stewart presents in the passing game adds another dimension to what he brings to the table.
Edge: Colorado
Wide Receivers
WR-X #17 Toney Clemons (6-2, 210, SR, H.L. Valley HS, New Kensington, PA)
WR-Z #6 Paul Richardson (6-1, 175, SO, Serra HS, Gardena, CA)
Richardson is the best of this bunch, as he has good height and good speed and can break a big play downfield at any time. He was honorable mention Big XII offensive freshman of the year after catching 34 passes for 514 yards and 6 TDs last season. This year he already has 18 receptions and 2 scores, highlighted by his 11 catch, 284 yard, 2 TD game against a California team that had absolutely no ability to cover him at any point in the game. On the other side, Clemons caught 43 passes for 482 yards and 3 TDs last season, so one would think he would be a regular contributor as well. He has gotten off to a slow start, however, catching just one pass in the first 2 games before a mini-breakout last week with 3 receptions for 65 yards and TD. He is a bigger target with decent hands who could post problems in the end zone against a shorter corner.
The backups provide some depth. The top reserve is senior Kyle Cefalo (#35). He caught 6 passes last season and has been a regular in the rotation this year, catching at least one pass in each game for a total of 53 yards and a score. He is smallish (5-10, 170) but elusive. Freshman Tyler McCulloch (#87) has a big frame (6-5, 205) and good speed. He had 2 receptions in each of the first 2 games. Fellow freshmen Austin Vincent (#81), Kennan Canty (#4) and Nelson Spence (#22) round out the chart along with senior Georgia transfer Logan Gray (#2).
WR Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Colorado WRs versus OSU WRs
Richardson: 18 catches, 360 yards, 4 TDs, 20.0 YPR
Clemons: 4 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD, 18.5 YPR
McCulloch: 4 catches, 36 yards, 0 TDs, 9.0 YPR
Smith: 5 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD, 23.8 YPR
Reed: 5 catches, 89 yards, 0 TDs, 17.8 YPR
Richardson is the best player of this group by far at this point, He is dangerous downfield and can wreak havoc on a defense, as Cal can attest. The Buckeye receivers didn't do much at all last week and one has to question how good they can be against quality competition given their lack of experience and gamebreaking playmaking ability. Clearly there is plenty of raw talent there, but until Posey comes back, this team will continue to search for an identity at the WR spot. Injuries haven't helped matters either. Colorado has a lot of freshmen in their rotation, but between the explosiveness of Richardson and the experience of Clemons, they can overcome it at least somewhat. Hansen has made this group look good thus far, and if Clemens steps up like he did last season defenses will have trouble guarding all of the Buffalo options.
Edge: Colorado
Tight Ends
TE #34 Ryan Deehan (6-5, 245, SR, Poway HS, Poway, CA)
The Buffalos are deep at TE in experience. Deehan started 5 games as a sophomore in 2009 and then was honorable mention All-Big XII last year when he caught 25 passes for 249 yards and a TD. Thus far this year he has 7 receptions for 86 yards and a score, so he is likely to improve on those numbers. He didn't play much of a role as a receiver last week, but he caught 3 passes in each of the first 2 games. Backup and fellow senior Matthew Bahr (#43) is a mauler (6-4, 260) who can also play some H-back and fullback. He is primarily a blocker but does have one reception this season. Sophomore DaVaughn Thornton (#85) is the heir-apparent and has a couple of receptions this year thus far. He is likely to see plenty of action on the field this season.
TE Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Colorado TE versus OSU TE
Deehan: 7 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD, 12.3 YPR
Stoneburner: 8 catches, 93 yards, 4 TDs, 11.6 YPR
Both teams are deep, with multiple quality players with plenty of game experience. Deehan is a steady contributor who can block and catch equally well. Stoneburner started the season a house of fire but as the passing game has waned, so has his production. One wonders if this will be another season when the fans look at the TE position and ask: What if? Production and experience are similar here, so it is too close to call.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
LT #53 Ryan Dannewitz (6-6, 295, JR, San Jacinto HS, San Jacinto, CA)
LG #63 Ethan Adkins (6-4, 290, SR, Douglas County HS, Castle Rock, CO)
C #52 Daniel Munyer (6-2, 290, FR, Notre Dame HS, Tarzana, CA)
RG #73 Ryan Miller (6-8, 295, SR, Columbine HS, Littleton, CO)
RT #79 Sion Tau (6-5, 335, SR, Damien Memorial HS, Honolulu, HI)
After losing Solder to the NFL, the Buffaloes have already been decimated by injuries, leaving them painfully thin and vulnerable up front. Both tackles who started the opener, David Bakhtiari and Jack Harris, are injured, and a 3rd senior lineman, Shawn Daniels, is also out. As for the players remaining, on the left side, Dannewitz entered the season as a special teams player seldom used on offense, but he has had the task of replacing Solder. He is a bit undersized but is versatile, with ability to play guard or tackle. Adkins entered the season with 20 career starts and is a solid player with good technique, despite being a touch undersized in the interior. In the middle, Munyer exploded onto the scene with a phenomenal spring practice where he was named top freshman. He is listed atop the depth chart with sophomore Gus Handler (#76) who has a similar size and build. Munyer is an apparent future star in the making, but is questionable due to injury this week, so Handler may end up getting the start. The right side is more solidified, with Miller being easily the best player of the group. He started 7 games as a freshman, was honorable All-Big XII as a sophomore in 2009, was honorable mention all-Big XII again last year after making 12 starts, and he was listed on many pre-season awards lists and All-America teams. He has a solid build, good technique, and is adept at both pass and run blocking. The gargantuan Tau was highly recruited and finally gets a chance to play at RT after a tumultuous career that has seen him suspended in the past. He is a monster who can maul in the run game and make it very difficult to get around him in the passing game as well.
The line is dreadfully thin, as Dannewitz and Tau are listed as primary backups at other positions (RT and RG, respectively). Other than Handler in the middle, the rest of the players on the 2-deep are freshmen, including Alexander Lewis (#71) and Paulay Asiata (#50). If they lose anyone to injury they could be in serious trouble.
OL Rating: C-
Head-to-Head: Colorado OL versus OSU OL
Miller is a great player who could start for pretty much anyone in the country, and along with Solder he has given the Buffaloes years of outstanding line play. However the rest of the line is somewhat of a mix of upperclassmen with little playing experience and underclassmen who are eager but even less experienced as a result of the injury bug. They have already given up 9 sacks and the running game has been way below average thus far, which does not reflect well on the quality of the line play. It is hard to forsee anyone but Miller containing Simon and the Buckeye front 7, which could lead to some big plays on defense.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
Hard to know exactly what to make of the Buffaloes. They have a senior-laden depth chart at the skill positions and have put some points up against a level of competition that is higher than probably at least 90% of the rest of the teams over a 3 game stretch. The QB play has been good as they have not thrown many INTs and have a 7:1 TD/INT ratio, but the completion percentage is low and the running game has really underachieved, though Stewart is clearly one of the better tailbacks in the PAC 12. The biggest issue is the line, which is shaky at best except for Miller. Unless the Buffalo line overachieves and gels quickly, it could be another long game for the Buffaloes despite their talent at skill positions, with a push at the end to get back in it by throwing downfield.
Overall Offensive Rating: B-
2011 Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Preview
Greg Brown is in his first year as defensive coordinator, and his third stint at the University of Colorado under as many head coaches, as Jon Embree brought him back as a member of his inaugural coaching staff on December 17, 2010. He had barely been gone from Boulder for a year before the call came for him to return. He spent the 2010 season as the co-defensive coordinator at the University of Arizona, helping return the Wildcats to the nation?s Top 25 for the first time in over a decade. At CU, he had most recently served as secondary coach for four seasons (2006-09), the last three as defensive passing game coordinator, after returning in 2006 to the state of Colorado for the fourth time in his professional career. Brown, 53, resurfaced at CU in January 2006, named to the staff of new Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins following the completion of the 2005 National Football League season. He wrapped up his fourth and final year as a defensive assistant with the NFL's New Orleans Saints under coach Jim Haslett. In that 2005 season, the Saints' pass defense ranked third in the entire NFL, allowing a paltry 178 yards per game. A 15-year NFL coaching veteran, developing top notch defensive backs became his specialty as he was often sought after for new coaching staffs around the league, working with six different teams in his professional career.
In his four seasons during his second stint at Colorado, he helped tutor Terrence Wheatley, coaching him to first-team All-Big 12 honors and a second round NFL draft pick by the New England Patriots. He also tutored a pair of young cornerbacks in Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown, the former a two-time All-Big 12 performer, as well as their coach for the 2010 season, Ashley Ambrose, who Brown recommended to Hawkins as a graduate assistant; he would replace Brown as secondary coach after his move to Arizona. He coached the secondary for three years (1991-93) at Colorado under coach Bill McCartney, tutoring a pair of Jim Thorpe Award winners during his first days at CU: cornerbacks Deon Figures (the 1992 winner) and Chris Hudson (the ?94 winner). Colorado led the nation in pass completion defense and the Big Eight in pass defense in 1992; he also coached the kickoff coverage unit on special teams for the Buffs. He joined the CU staff days after the Buffs won their first national championship (January 7, 1991), and returned to the NFL in 1994, joining the Atlanta staff as defensive backs coach; the Falcons finished second that season in the league with 23 interceptions.
He spent the 1995-96 seasons as the secondary coach for San Diego, with the Chargers finishing in the top five both years in fewest yards allowed per completion. He also coached Rodney Harrison, who eventually would become one of the league?s top safeties. He moved on to the Tennessee Oilers, coaching the secondary in both 1997 and 1998; he again coached three of the top defensive backs in the game, cornerback Samari Rolle and safeties Blaine Bishop and All-Pro Marcus Robertson. In 1999, he served as the defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers; a twist with this was that had he not received an NFL offer, he was set to return to Colorado as a member of Gary Barnett's staff when he replaced Rick Neuheisel in January of that year. He rejoined the Atlanta Falcons as secondary coach for the 2000 and 2001 seasons before moving on to New Orleans, where he was a defensive assistant for quality control in 2002 before being promoted to defensive assistant/cornerbacks coach in 2003, a position he held for three seasons with the Saints. He began his coaching career in 1981 as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas-El Paso, his alma mater, where he worked with the secondary. The following year, 1982, he came back to Colorado, working that fall as a defensive coach at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood. He made his first move to the professional ranks the following spring, joining the staff of the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL). He coached the secondary for the Gold for two seasons (1983, 1984) before moving on to the National Football League for the first time in the summer of 1984, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff. For the Bucs, he coached three different positions: defensive quality control (1984), offensive quality control (1985) and the U-backs/tight ends (1986). Brown returned to the college game in 1987, coaching the defensive backs for two seasons at the University of Wyoming before doing the same at Purdue University for the 1989 and 1990 campaigns. He then returned home to Colorado for a second time in joining McCartney's staff in 1991. He graduated from the UTEP in 1980 with a bachelor?s degree in education (history/physical education).
The Buffs have good numbers in yielding 3.77 yards per rush, and 6.30 yards per passing attempt, and 318.7 yards/game. They have given up an average of 28 points in their games against Hawaii, Cal, and Colorado State. A troublesome indicator is their having yielded 11 first downs by penalty.
They are having difficulty getting off the field on 3rd down (allowing 47.6% conversion), and real trouble with their red zone defense. Opponents have scored on all 11 red zone possessions (5.9 points/possession) and in 5 first-and-goal situations, all 5 of those have been converted into TDs. Another issue is the lack of turnovers, with 2 fumbles and only 1 interception registered by their defense through 3 games.
Defensive Line
LDE #83 Will Pericak (6-4, 285, Jr., Boulder HS, Boulder, CO)
NT #93 Conrad Obi (6-3, 290, Sr., Grayson HS, Grayson, GA)
RDE #9 Chidera Uzo-Diribe (6-3, 240, So., Corona HS, Corona, CA)
Pericak started at NT for the previous two seasons, and was actually the first freshman to start an entire season as a DT for Colorado when he did that in 2009. He earned honorable mention All-Big XII last year with 45 tackles (2 sacks), and a blocked FG against Colorado State. So far this year he's totalled 14 tackles and 1 QB pressure.
Pericak was moved a DE spot in the 3-4 alignment to make room at NT for Obi, a senior who was their breakout player during spring practice after primarily being a special teams player in prior seasons. He had a blocked FG against Oklahoma State in 2009, and has quickness that can be disruptive in the middle.
The other DE spot is manned by Uzo-Diribe, who missed most of spring practice with a fractured toe suffered in the winter. He played in all 12 games last year, including one start at Kansas. He recorded 11 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, in just 148 snaps played as a true freshman last year. He has 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the 3 games played so far in 2011.
Depth is provided by LDE: #50 Curtis Cunningham (6-1, 285, Sr.) who started all 24 games over the previous 2 seasons, and was credited with 48 solo tackles and 3 sacks during that time; NT #94 Nate Bonsu (6-1, 285, So.), who tallied 5 tackles as a true freshman against Nebraska in 2009, but took a redshirt year in 2010 due to a knee injury; and RDE: #95 Tony Poremba (6-1. 230. Sr.) a former walk-on with limited game experience. Also providing depth inside is #70 Eric Richter, who is a converted OG that would make similarly-named Eric Lichter (tOSU strength coach) proud with his 500+ pound bench press.
DL Rating: C+
Head-to-Head: Colorado DL versus OSU DL
It will be a challenge for CU's starting defensive front to hold up under tOSU's inside running game. They have a couple guys with decent size and experience, but their starting lineup only has two players over 240 pounds in their front 7. It makes sense for Colorado to look at the Toledo game and have LBs and safeties moving forward at the snap. Since Ohio State will probably begin the game with limited passing attempts and a concerted effort to establish the power and iso plays, look for Colorado to add more beef up front if they are giving up chunks on the ground despite having 8 or 9 guys in the box most of the time.
The Buckeyes are better at pressuring the QB, forcing quick throws if not tallying a lot of sacks. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes will surely test the rushing defense while trying to mix in play-action to keep Colorado somewhat honest.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
Jack LB #17 Josh Hartigan (6-1, 230, Sr., Northeast HS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Mike LB #3 Douglas Rippy (6-3, 230, Jr., Trotwood-Madison HS, Trotwood, OH)
Will LB #5 Derrick Webb (6-0, 220, So., Whitehaven HS. Memphis, TN)
Sam LB #30 Jon Major (6-2 230, Jr., Ponderosa HS, Parker, CO)
The Buffs alignment has the spots they call Mike and Will on the inside, and Sam and Jack on the outside. The Will is manned by smaller guys than they have at Jack, which they deploy as a pass-rushing OLB.
Mike linebacker Douglas Rippy from Trotwood-Madison (and Columbus Linden McKinley before that) got a look from some B1G schools (MSU and Nebraska offers) before heading to Colorado in 2008. He has 18 solo and 26 total tackles, along with 2 sacks and 3 QB pressures.
Sam LB Jon Major, a team captain, has the team's only interception so far this season, which was caused by pressure that Rippy put on the Cal QB. Major also has 19 tackles this year, and is the leading returning tackler (57), and only returning starter from last year's LB squad, despite missing the final 5 games of 2010 with a severe MCL sprain.
Hartigan was a starting DE last year, but has been shifted to an OLB spot in the 3-4 defense. He is able to provide a pass rush from the LB spot, with 2 sacks in the first 3 games, after getting 7 as a DE last year, when he earned 2nd team all-Big XII honors.
After missing most of spring practice with a hip injury, Derrick Webb started the fall backing up the Mike spot, but he is now the starting Will. He made 5 solo stops in his only start last season, which was against Oklahoma.
Depth for the inside spots is provided by #12 Patrick Mahnke (6-1, 210, Sr.), a former safety who made 35 tackles last year but only has 3 so far in 2011, and #54 Brady Daigh (6-2, 235, Fr.) who has no stats for the 3 plays he's participated in this season. The backup Sam is #48 Liloa Nobriga (6-2, 240, So.), who started 5 games after Major was injured last year. In his five starts, he recorded 35 tackles, including a career-high 11 at Kansas (8 solo) and 10 at Nebraska (7 solo). The backup at the Jack OLB spot, after an injury to #55 David Goldberg (6-1, 245, Sr.), is #2 Juda Parker (6-3, 250, Fr.), who has only been on the field for 1 defensive snap so far, so as with Daigh, his abilities remain to be seen.
LB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Colorado LBs versus OSU LBs
This is a group that has good experience and playmaking ability on the outside, but lacks size and toughness on the inside. The Colorado LBs will have difficulty slowing down the power inside running game of the Buckeyes.
The Buckeye LBs (Sweat. Sabino, Klein, and Moeller) have more size than their Buffaloes counterparts, and while they have had some issues with overpursuit and missed tackles, will likely do a better job of stopping their opposing offense.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
LCB #13 Parker Orms (5-11, 190, So., Wheat Ridge HS, Wheat Ridge, CO)
FS #26 Ray Polk (6-1, 205, Jr., Brophy Prep, Scottsdale, AZ)
SS #7 Anthony Perkins (5-10, 200, Sr., Northglenn HS, Northglenn, CO)
RCB #20 Greg Henderson (5-11, 185, Fr., Norco HS, Corona, CA)
Parker Orms only played in 1 game in 2010, registering 3 tackles before tearing an ACL in the opening game. He missed spring practice but is CU's leading tackler with 28 so far in 2011, along with 1 sack and 2 PBUs. It speaks well for Orms but not well for the overall defense when a CB is the leading tackler.
Polk, a former tailback, started all 12 games at free safety last year, finishing second on the team in tackles with 72 (42 solo). He also started 3 games as a freshman in 2009, including a 15-tackle effort against Kansas State.
Perkins, another team captain, returns after missing the last half of 2010 with a torn ACL suffered in the Mizzou game. He had been the team's leading tackler with 38 in their first 5 games. He also started all 12 games in 2009, finishing third on the team in tackles. He has 15 tackles so far this year, and 3 career interceptions.
Henderson has earned a starting CB spot as a true freshman, and has 11 tackles and a forced fumble in his first 3 games. He has good speed but like most freshmen sometimes has trouble in coverage.
Their nickel back, who is out with an injury, but would have seen limited action in this game, is #19 Travis Sandersfeld, (6-0, 205, Sr.). His role will be filed by backup CB #25 Ayodeji Olatoye (6-1, 190, So.) a redshirt sophomore from Dublin Scioto who played mostly on special teams last year (6 of his 13 total tackles).
Other secondary depth is provided by: CB #39 Josh Moten (6-0, 195, rFr.), who grayshirted in 2009 and redshirted last year; FS #41 Terrel Smith (5-8, 180, So.) who had his redshirt burned when Perkins was hurt in game 6, but finished third on the team with 60 total tackles, the third highest total for a true frosh at CU.
Besides Smith, who can play the nickel and both safety spots, two freshmen also backup the safety spots: FS #28 Will Harlos (6-3, 185, Fr.) a lanky guy with good speed, and strong safety #4 Kyle Washington (6-1, 200, Fr.) who can also play CB.
DB Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Colorado DBs versus OSU DBs
Despite some injury issues, the Buffaloes have experienced players at the safety spots. Colorado hasn't given up too many big plays, and they didn't give up a lot of passing yards to Hawaii, but that was because Hawaii was playing with the lead.
The Buckeyes have very little experience at receiver right now, and that was felt last week. Ohio State will probably use a conservative game plan again this week, mixing in occasional deep balls on play-action. And hopefully they'll be able to once again locate the tight end.
Colorado has relied on the passing game so far this year, averaging over 300 yards in the air and only 90 on the ground. The Buckeyes should be in nickel often again this week, and will need a good pass rush to pressure Tyler Hansen. The Buckeye secondary has 3 solid CBs in Howard, Roby, and Clarke, who will be tested. Once again, better athletes give the overall edge to the Buckeyes.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Colorado's defense has respectable yardage numbers after facing Hawaii, Cal, and Colorado State. They are getting a decent pass rush (4 sacks/game), but they've only forced an average of 1 turnover per contest. They have difficulty getting off the field on third down, have taken too many penalties, and they have been poor in stopping their opponents inside the red zone. Due to an undersized front, they will probably have to bring extra bodies into the box consistently in order to slow down the Buckeyes' power running game. Whether the tOSU passing attack can take advantage of that remains to be seen.
Overall Defensive Rating: B-
2011 Colorado Buffaloes Special Teams Preview
The Buckeyes Special Teams were some of the few highlights from last week's loss to the Miami Hurricanes. They hope to continue this against the Colorado Buffaloes of the PAC-12 this weekend at Ohio Stadium.
Season Stats
Colorado
Punting:
Darragh O'Neill 15 for 688 yards, 45.87 avg, 56 long, 6 inside the 20, 2 blocked, 11th Nationally
Punt Returns:
Rodney steward 2 for 9 yards, 4.5 avg, 8 long (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Paul Richardson 1 for 4 yards, 4.0 avg (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Kickoff Returns: (none meet min returns to be ranked)
Toney Clemons 2 for 47 yards, 23.5 avg, 33 long
Kyle Washington 2 for 35 yards, 17.5 avg, 20 long
Tony Jones 1 for 16 yards, 16.0 avg
Brian Lockridge 4 for 51 yards, 12.8 avg, 20 long
Arthur Jaffee 2 for 21 yards, 10.5 avg, 17 long
Evan Harrington 1 for 6 yards, 6.0 avg
Team: 12 for 176 yds, 14.67 avg (120th Nationally)
Punt Return Defense: 8 for 81 yards, 10.13 avg (82nd Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense: 9 for 209 yards, 23.22 avg (85th Nationally)
Ohio State
Punting: Ben Buchanan 15 for 639 yards, 42.6 avg (29th Nationally)
Punt Returns:
Corey Brown 2 for 28 yds, 14 avg, 17 long (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Devin Smith 1 for 3 yds (does not qualify for NCAA rankings)
Chris Fields 4 for 84 yrds, 21.00 avg, 1 TD (5th Nationally)
Team: 9 for 147 yrds, 16.3 avg, 1 TD (9th Nationally)
Kickoff Returns: (None have min number of returns to qualify for NCAA ranking)
Jaamal Berry 7 for 150 yds, 21.4 avg, 28 long
Corey Brown 1 for 44 yds
Tony Jackson 1 for 10 yds
Team: 9 for 204 yds, 22.67 avg (51st Nationally)
Punt Return Defense: 5 for 74 yds, 14.8 avg (99th Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense: 11 for 201 yds, 18.27 avg, 4 touchbacks (27th Nationally)
Special Teams
Colorado (CUBuffs.com)
Placekicker/Kickoffs:
#91 Will Oliver (5-10, 195, Fr., Harvard-Westlak HS, Los Angeles, CA)
Punter:
#8 Darragh O'Neill (6-2, 180, Fr., Fairview HS, Boulder, CO)
Punt Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#6 Paul Richardson (6-1, 175, So., Serra HS, Gardena, CA)
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#5 Rodney Stewart (5-6, 175, Sr., Brookhaven HS, Columbus, OH)
#4 Keenan Canty (5-9, 155, Fr., Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, LA)
[/FONT] [FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Kickoff Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#20 Brian Lockridge (5-7, 180, Sr., Mission Viejo HS, Trabuco Canyon, CA)
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#26 Tony Jones (5-7, 175, Fr., Don Bosco Prep HS, Patterson, NJ)
[/FONT]#22 Arthur Jaffee (5-11, 215, Sr., Fairview HS, Boulder, CO)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#4 Keenan Canty (5-9, 155, Fr., Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, LA)[/FONT]
Holder:
#14 Justin Gorman (6-0 195, Fr., Manheim Central HS, Manheim, PA)
Long Snapper:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#69 Ryan Iverson (6-0, 215, So., Newport Harbor HS, Newport Beach, CA)[/FONT]
Ohio State (Rivals)
Punter:
#17 Ben Buchanan (6-0, 195, So., Central HS, Westerville, OH)
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
Place Kicker/Kickoffs:
#24 Drew Basil (6-1, 206, So., Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, OH)
#20 Russel Doup (6-1, 180, Fr., Mt Vernon HS, Mt Vernon, OH)
Long Snapper:
#56 George Makridis (5-11, 236, So., Harding HS, Warren, OH)
#54 Bryce Haynes (6-4, 185, Fr., Pinecrest HS, Cumming, GA)
Holder:
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
#14 Joe Bauserman (6-1, 233, Sr., Lincoln HS, Strasburg, VA)
Punt Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#10 Corey Brown (5-11, 170, So., Cardinal O'Hara HS, Upper Darby, PA)
#80 Chris Fields (6-0, 185, So., Harvey HS, Painesville, OH)
Kickoff Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#4 Jaamal Berry (5-10, 200, So., Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, FL)
Head-to-Head Colorado Punt team vs. Ohio State Punt Return Team: The statistics in this matchup are trending towards the Buckeyes. Ranking 9th Nationally as a team the Buckeyes will be tough in the punt return game having already scored 1 TD. The Buffaloes have not experienced as much success, giving up an average of over 10 yards per return and only rank 89th in the nation. They have also had 2 punts blocked already this season.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Colorado Kickoff team vs. Ohio State Kickoff Return Team: In terms of statistics, the Buckeyes are middle-of-the-pack, ranking 51st in the nation on returning kicks. They average 22.67 yards per return. The Buffaloes are giving up over 23 yards per return on average to rank 85th in the nation. With Berry and Hall returning kicks, there is always a threat that one will go all the way.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Ohio State Punt team vs. Colorado Punt Return Team: Ben Buchanan enjoyed a pretty good game last week against the Miami Hurricanes, averaging over 46 yards per punt placing 3 inside the 20. The Ohio State punt return defense team is allowing over 14 yards per return, - a cause for concern. However, the Buffs haven't bowled anyone over here either, having returned only 3 punts for 13 yards, a 4.33 average.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head: Ohio State Kickoff team vs. Colorado Kickoff Return Team: This is where the Buffaloes are in real trouble. They have had a really bad year so far in their kickoff return units, ranking dead last (120th of 120) statistically. As a team they have returned 12 kickoffs for 176 yds, a not-so-good 14.67 avg. The Buckeye kickoff team, on the other hand, are only allowing an average of 18.27 yards per return with 4 touchbacks, good for 27th in the nation. This might be the game where Ohio State takes one back.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Going into the 4th game of the season, the Buckeye Special Teams units have performed much better that last year at this time, when they had already allowed 3 TDs (1 each of punt return, kickoff return, and FG block return). Chris Fields has also taken one to the house on a return. Look for Ohio State to win the Special Teams battle in this one.
BB73's prediction: 27-10, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 17-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 24-21, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 31-13, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 30-3, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 17-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 24-21, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 31-13, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 30-3, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game Result: (tOSU 6, Miami 24)
(50) jwinslow's prediction: 27-24, Ohio State (31 + 19 last week = 50)
(55) BB73's prediction: 27-23, Ohio State (32 + 23 last week = 55)
(58) Bucklion's prediction: 24-21 Ohio State (31 + 27 last week = 58)
(64) Bucky Katt's prediction: 13-17, Miami (14 + 50 last week = 64)
(69) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 24-13, Ohio State (39 + 30 last week = 69
(73) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 27-16, Ohio State (39 + 34 last week = 73)
(80) JCOSU86's prediction: 27-21, Ohio State (34 + 46 last week= 80)
Scores are adjusted for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Previous Game Result: (tOSU 6, Miami 24)
(50) jwinslow's prediction: 27-24, Ohio State (31 + 19 last week = 50)
(55) BB73's prediction: 27-23, Ohio State (32 + 23 last week = 55)
(58) Bucklion's prediction: 24-21 Ohio State (31 + 27 last week = 58)
(64) Bucky Katt's prediction: 13-17, Miami (14 + 50 last week = 64)
(69) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 24-13, Ohio State (39 + 30 last week = 69
(73) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 27-16, Ohio State (39 + 34 last week = 73)
(80) JCOSU86's prediction: 27-21, Ohio State (34 + 46 last week= 80)
Scores are adjusted for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
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