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Minnesota (1-1) vs. Colorado (1-1); 11 a.m. Saturday, Folsom Field
TV/Radio: Pac-12 Network/630 AM
Line: Colorado -2.5, 48.5 over/under
Weather: 77 degrees, sunny
What to know
Broussard back. All indications are CU moving backmost Jarek Broussard volition the disposable Saturday. But volition helium beryllium effective? A blindside deed to his legs knocked the Buffs’ pb backmost retired of past week’s nonaccomplishment to Texas A&M, and the discourtesy intelligibly missed him. Coach Karl Dorrell declared Broussard “fine” earlier this week, but they’ll request him to beryllium much than that if the Buffs are going to determination the shot consistently Saturday.
Catching fire. A dependable walk catching menace has yet to look for CU aboriginal successful the season. At slightest 1 enactment is disconnected the array with La’Vontae Shenault suspended indefinitely. So who among Dimitri Stanley, Daniel Arias and Brenden Rice is acceptable to measurement up? Arias had a accidental to marque a large play past week against Texas A&M, but his driblet of a Brendon Lewis heavy shot doomed a drive. Until a playmaker emerges connected the outside, this discourtesy volition beryllium limited.
Bruising line. For the 2nd consecutive week, CU faces a big, carnal violative front. And this 1 brings plentifulness of acquisition to Folsom Field arsenic well. The Gophers’ O-line has much combined starts (193) astatine the FBS level than immoderate programme successful the country. They besides boast 1 of the nation’s apical tackles successful 6-foot-9, 380-pound elder Daniel Faalele. Another large situation awaits the Buffs successful the trenches, who passed past week’s situation against Texas A&M with flying colors.
Row your boat. After the USC occupation opened up this week, Minnesota manager PJ Fleck instantly emerged arsenic a campaigner to capable the vacancy astatine Heritage Hall. As overmuch arsenic Fleck mightiness privation to downplay those rumors — the Boat Rower’s among the betting favorites to get the gig — there’s nary uncertainty his players are proceeding them, too. Coaches hatred distractions, and this is simply a large 1 for a programme that prides itself connected rowing successful the aforesaid direction.
Key matchups
Gophers O-line vs. Buffs defense. This overmuch is wide done 2 weeks: the CU tally defence is arsenic sturdy arsenic they come. Led by linebackers Nate Landman and Carson Wells, the Buffs fertile 13th successful the federation astatine 58.5 unreserved yards allowed per game. The Gophers mislaid apical backmost Mohamed Ibrahim for the play successful Week 1. If replacement Trey Potts (178 yards, 2 TDs vs. Miami, Ohio) can’t find country to tally Saturday, it could beryllium a agelong time for the run-first Gophers.
QB Brendon Lewis vs. Gophers defense. The CU passing crippled enters Saturday ranked 126th successful the state astatine 95.5 yards per game. With the 103rd walk defence (265.5 ypg) coming to Boulder, the clip is present for Lewis and his receivers to get right. Minnesota has a pass-rushing unit successful OLB Boye Mafe — some helium and OT Daniel Faalele made Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” — but determination are holes to exploit. The Buffs indispensable find them.
Predictions
Kyle Fredrickson, sports reporter: CU 24, Minnesota 21
A precocious tract extremity lifts CU to a immense win; much grounds the Buffs volition beryllium bowling this year.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 21, Minnesota 20
When LBs Nate Landman and Carson Wells are moving downhill, CU’s D is simply a frothing beast. But you fearfulness the Gophers are going to exploit what the Aggies yet figured retired precocious — throwing to the choky ends and the tailbacks tin neutralize CU’s salty beforehand seven.
Matt Schubert, lawman sports editor: CU 20, Minnesota 13
The CU defence is for real. A week aft going toe-to-toe with Texas A&M, the Buffs decorativeness the occupation against Minny.
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