The Colorado Buffaloes are on a four-game losing streak and desperately need a win to have any chance of making a bowl game this season. However, they will have to get past Oklahoma State and their quarterback, Drew Mestemaker.
Mestemaker has the sixth-most passing yards of any FBS quarterback with 1,940. He is also top-10 in touchdowns with 16, but also has six interceptions. Still, the Buffaloes must contain him to win.
How Drew Mestemaker can change this game
Mestemaker has at least two touchdown passes in every game. His game against Murray State was his best performance with over 90 percent completion, five touchdown passes and no interceptions. He is the type of quarterback who can take over any game.
Mestemaker can also gain yardage on the ground, as he rushed for over 100 yards
in the Cowboys' upset win over Oregon. So, if Colorado wants to contain him, they have to slow him down in the pass and run games.
How Colorado slows Mestemaker down
Mestemaker's biggest weakness is his tendency to throw interceptions, with an interception in three of his five games this year. He tends to try and force the ball downfield, especially when he is being pressured.
Therefore, if the Buffaloes want to slow Mestemaker down, they need constant pressure in the backfield. Colorado has three sacks against Utah but only two sacks against Texas Tech and one sack against Baylor. Their inconsistency in getting in the backfield is a little concerning, but maybe they addressed it during the bye week.
Prediction
Colorado forced Devon Damper to throw two interceptions against Utah last week. He had only two interceptions in his first five games. Against a quarterback with turnover issues, the Buffaloes will likely get one or two interceptions. If the Buffs can turn those turnovers into points, an upset is entirely possible.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: How Colorado football can slow Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker
