Colorado is back in action tomorrow, as the Buffs head to Morgantown for a battle of Big 12 bottomdwellers. CU heads into the matchup looking for something steady to grab onto down the stretch. West Virginia
comes in battle tested, physical, and clear about what this team wants to be.
This game feels simple on paper. The Buffs need to show real improvement on both sides, and a new face at quarterback will try to jump start it. Here is what we expect to see when things kick off at 10:00 a.m. MT:
The Buffs
The focal point for Colorado is once again at quarterback. True freshman Julian JuJu Lewis is set to make his first collegiate start, and the staff will aim to give him opportunities. We saw JuJu in the second half last week, and he made some good throws and gave Buffs fans something to root for. This week, he’ll have to do it for a full 60 minutes of football.
JuJu’s talent is obvious. He’s got a quick release, good base and natural touch to the intermediate windows. He is not the same type of mover as Kaidon Salter, so the play design probably leans more toward timing throws, play action shots off under center looks, and simple first read answers. The goal is to keep him out of long yardage and let him stack completions.
That means the plan has to protect him early. Pat Shurmur, or Brett Bartolone if you believe the rumors, will have a big task ahead calling a game for a true freshman. The Buffs need a real run menu, not their typical (and predictable) runs out of shotgun. Colorado has bodies in the backfield in Micah Welch, Dallan Hayden, and Simeon Price if he’s healthy. The offensive line has had stretches where it looks organized in duo and gap. Combine that with quick passing game, a few rollouts and the easy access throws that keep the chains moving, you’ve got a recipe for success. If the Buffs can live in second-and-five, JuJu’s job gets a lot easier.
Defensively, it always comes back to first down. When the Buffs lose the line of scrimmage early, everything else unravels. The front has to firm up fits, win edges and make tackles that prevent five and six yard runs from turning into second-and-short. Martavius French and Tawfiq Byard continue to fly around, but with Byard out for the first half after last week’s targeting call. The Buffs will need to survive a half without their best defensive player for at least 30 minutes.
The Mountaineers
West Virginia’s identity is as straightforward as it gets at this point in the year: run the ball with volume, mix in quarterback involvement, then hit you with play action and quick game when you start squeezing. They have used multiple quarterbacks and still found a groove with designed carries and reads. True freshman QB Scotty Fox Jr. has given them a spark when the starter has been out, and there is a good dose of quarterback keepers and scrambles baked into the plan. That has been a thorn for Colorado all season. If the Buffs do not box in the quarterback and squeeze the mesh, the Mountaineers will live in second-and-short all day. That simply cannot happen if CU wants to leave Morgantown with a win.
WVU’s backs are physical and steady. Diore Hubbard is a downhill runner who gets north in a hurry, Khalil Wilkins has been used on keepers and draws, and there is enough depth to keep legs fresh. They are comfortable running both zone and gap, and the line can move people in the red zone. Expect a heavy diet early. If Colorado tackles poorly, West Virginia will punish them. They’ll keep pounding the same call until the defense proves it can stop it.
The passing game is efficient with Cam Vaughn as the main chain mover. Rodney Gallagher III has helped in the passing attack at times, and tight end Grayson Barnes shows up on third down and in the low redzone. Play action is where they do the most damage. Their goal is to set the safety with run action, then throw behind him. If the Buffs hold up on first down, you make those shots harder to land. If not, the explosives come for free.
Defensively, the Mountaineers are built around disruption on the second level. As they have done all season, they will dare a young quarterback to read rotations and make smart decisions with the ball. For Colorado, that means WVU will try to muddy JuJu’s first read, get hands up in the quick game, and turn up the heat on long yardage. If the Buffs can protect Lewis, there are throws to be had on the perimeter. If not, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Prediction
I think the Mountaineers do just enough on the ground to control tempo, and their pressure looks to create a couple of stalled drives for a freshman making his first start. Colorado shows some growth, the run game looks more intentional, and the defense steals a few series by forcing field goals, but the volume eventually tilts toward West Virginia. The Buffs should compete, but the Mountaineers’ run game and situational defense carry the night.
Colorado 20
West Virginia 30
