Buffs open Pac-12 play with Friday game with UCLA
Colorado opens its Pac-12 slate on Friday night as heavy favorites when the undefeated Buffaloes play host to winless UCLA.
Buffs head coach Mike MacIntyre, however, warns about taking the Bruins and new head coach Chip Kelly lightly.
“No. 1 they have played three really good offenses,” MacIntyre said of UCLA’s woes. “Cincinnati is putting up points in every game. Of course, Oklahoma is putting up points in every game. And Fresno State has an excellent offense when you watch them on film.”
Make that four “really good offenses” that Kelly must prep his 0-3 Bruins for.
Colorado boasts an offense that has become adroit at hitting teams early and forcing them on their heels. The Buffs have scored on every opening drive of the first and second halves of each game this season, posting five touchdowns and a field goal in the process.
They haven’t let up on the gas much, either, cruising to 41 points and 494 yards per game averages.
As a result, MacIntyre’s program finds itself coming out of a bye week in a position to improve to 4-0 for the first time since the 1998 campaign with a win. The confidence in Boulder these days begins with quarterback Steven Montez.
“I just feel a lot more comfortable overall with the system and understanding defenses,” Montez said. “I still have to continue to work. I feel like this game is like the season starting all over again.”
UCLA is 0-3 for just the seventh time in its 100-year history. That’s due in large part to a Bruins offense struggling with star quarterback Josh Rosen off to the NFL.
Michigan-transfer Wilton Speight started the year under center but was quickly sidelined with a back injury. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has filled in for Speight, tossing for 522 yards and as many touchdowns (two) as interceptions. The Bruins, subsequently, have sputtered with 959 yards on offense, the fewest among all Power Five schools.
Speight is eligible to return, but Kelly is tight-lipped as to who will get the starting nod. Despite the struggles, UCLA possesses an athletic team that can create headaches for Colorado.
“It’s hard to prepare two offenses,” MacIntyre said. “They’ll pick certain plays that a guy is better at, but that’s usually hard to find out in one game, you’ll hopefully get it as the quarters go along. Hopefully your defense is able to adjust to different things. We teach them that. They understand that. We’ll be ready for either one and hopefully we can adjust.”
Depth has had an impact on the Buffs’ success. Colorado has 41 players this season who have made their collegiate debut, easily the most since they started keeping records in Boulder.