The Rocky Mountain Showdown 2011 kicks off at Sports Authority Field with the Colorado Buffaloes looking to end their two-game losing streak. They opened the season with a loss on the road to the Hawaii Warriors and then returned to Folsom Field for a previously scheduled non-conference game with the California Golden Bears. The latter was a 36-33 loss in overtime.
Buffs head coach Jon Embree is finding that first win to be the toughest, but to have it come against the Rams would certainly be a good way to do it. Last year, the Buffs defeated the Rams, 24-3, in the season opener to improve to 6-4 all-time in games played between the two at Mile High.
Colorado does enter this game with the 11th best passing game in college with 348.5 yards per game, thanks to Tyler Hansen. Still, the rushing attack will need to pick things up, averaging a paltry 62.5 yards per game. This will be one of the key matchups in the game, according to our Colorado blog Ralphie Report.
The Rams appear to enter this game in a strong position, having won their first two games, but they struggled against New Mexico and beat up FCS Northern Colorado. That 12 points allowed per game doesn't look as impressive. The Rams will want to watch out for Paul Richardson, whose 11 receptions for 284 yards and two touchdowns gained him the Pac-12 offensive player of the week award.
As Jeremy Mauss of the Mountain West Connection told the Ralphie Report, the Rams will need to count on Nordly Capi to lead the defense now that Mychal Sisson is out with an injury.
This game can be viewed on Root Sports at 11:30 a.m. MT.
For more on the Buffs, visit the Ralphie Report.