DENVER (KDVR) — The University of Colorado Boulder football team had a week of much-needed and much-deserved rest after their biggest win of the season against the No. 22-ranked Iowa State on Oct. 11.
The Buffs are back in action on Saturday against a conference foe from Colorado’s neighboring state, the University of Utah.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Buffs’ Week 8 game against the University of Utah.
How to watch CU at Utah
The Buffs are on the road for a quick pitstop in Utah, where the mountains and climate should offer a familiar setting.
If you aren’t making the trip to Utah, here is how to watch the game on TV.
- Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. MDT.
- Channel: ESPN
Kickoff against Utah is at 8:15 p.m. MDT on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Tickets for CU at Utah
As far as road games go, Utah is about as close as they come. If you feel like making the trip out west, tickets are still available.
Ticketmaster has tickets for just under $100, starting at $99.45. SeatGeek comes in about $15 cheaper, with tickets starting at $83.
Key things to know for CU at Utah
A loss makes Big 12 dreams less likely
Things are already looking grim for CU in the Big 12 this season, but a loss would put them in nearly impossible odds territory.
Currently 1-3 in Big 12 play, a loss would see the Buffs drop to 1-4, meaning they would have to win out to go above .500 after playing all nine Big 12 games.
Undefeated teams like BYU and Cincinnati are the most likely to make it to the Big 12 championship, but CU still has a mathematical chance right now, even if the odds are slim to none.
Last year, CU was in a four-way tie at the top of the Big 12, with a 7-2 record, but failed to make the championship game.
Buffs make it count
CU has been a nightmare in the red zone for other teams this season.
After the game against Iowa State, the Buffs converted points in all three trips to the red zone — two touchdowns and one field goal.
This brings their red zone conversion rate to a lethal .889. They have only failed to score on two red zone trips this year, going 16 of 18. Even more impressive, only three of those conversions have been field goals; the other 13 were all touchdowns.
If the team can figure out how to get to the red zone more frequently, they will be able to showcase their killer instinct.
Another problem the team faces is learning how to keep the other teams from being just as effective in the red zone. Opposing teams have converted on 21 of 26 attempts when hitting the Buffs’ red zone.
Not the first, surely not the last
This is not a one-off game.
CU and Utah are very familiar foes and have a nearly identical record in their fiery rivalry.
The next game will be the 72nd meeting between the teams. Utah has a small advantage in the series with a 35-33-3 record against the Buffs.
If recent history is anything to go by, then the Buffs should feel confident about their chances, after they smashed Utah 49-24 last year.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
