Why buffaloes are better

Ianniello: Utah has great defensive numbers, but look at the offenses it has faced this season.

Who is the best quarterback the Utes have faced this year? Probably Josh Hoover?

Sanders is a completely different animal. He is averaging 320 yards per game and has thrown for 24 touchdowns (third in the nation) to just six interceptions. He’s averaging 8.4 yards per attempt and has just five run-worthy plays on the season, the fewest of any quarterback in the top 30 in passing yards.

Everyone knows Hunter is a star. He is averaging 95 yards per game and has nine touchdowns in nine games. But this receiving chamber is much deeper than Hunter. LaJohntay Wester, Will Sheppard and Jimmy Horn all average over 48 receiving yards per game.

Wester and Sheppard were wide receivers at FAU and Vanderbilt before transferring to Colorado. This offense will be the biggest test the Utes have faced all season, and the Buffaloes haven’t gone under 28 points in seven straight games.

As good as Utah’s defense is, the Utes won’t be able to contain the Buffs enough for their offense to keep up.

They rank 115th nationally in success rate. Cam Rising is done for. Linebacker Isaac Wilson was benched for Brandon Rose, but Rose is now out for the year, so the Utes will be forced to start Wilson again — Zach’s younger brother has eight touchdowns in eight picks this year this.

To make matters worse, tight end Brant Kuithe, the only good player in this Utah offense, is now out for the season.

Tanner thinks Utah can run the ball. However, the Utes rank 95th nationally in rushing success rate. By comparison, the Colorado team Tanner said “is one-dimensional” and “can’t run the ball” ranks 77th in rushing success. Colorado has 11 rushing touchdowns on the season, while Utah has six. The Buffaloes have that many over their last four games.

So I guess that means Utah’s offense is lackluster. This team doesn’t do anything well and can’t keep up with this Colorado offense.

Why the Utes are better bets

McGrath: Does Colorado have a massive motivational advantage?

Don’t you think last week’s stolen play would motivate the Utes? Utah is a proud program. Kyle Whittingham has kept them competitive and motivated in recent years despite the constant injury problems of their star defender.

Utah is not the kind of program that provides; get up off the mat and fight back after brutal and unfair one point losses. And he’ll be easily motivated against a Colorado team that won’t stop screaming.

Meanwhile, the Buffs are on top of the world. I’m on top of the mountain already watching the Big 12 championship game. It’s going to be a challenge for Coach Prime to keep his kids in the game when they put up big numbers the last three weeks – it’s going to be tough this week against a quarterback with the third string.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a disappointing game from Colorado after a wild winning streak.

Why will they cover the buffaloes

Ianniello: I don’t think last week motivated Ute; I think it deflated them.

The Holy War is among the most bitter and hate-fueled rivalries in college football, and that alone was enough to propel Utah to 21 points and 259 total yards at home.

Utah is well coached but has surprisingly not done the little things well this season. They rank 116th nationally in turnover margin and 125th in PFF tackle grades.

This is a massive problem against Colorado. The Buffaloes rank 21st in turnover margin, and with all the speed this team has, missing a tackle will result in six points.

Colorado is elite on offense and above average on defense. This front seven has really improved throughout this season. They rank 51st in hit rate allowed and 29th in creating Havoc.

The Buffaloes go after the quarterback, ranking ninth in the nation in sacks and 22nd in tackles for loss. BJ Green has lived behind opponents, and five Buffaloes have at least three sacks.

Wilson has been sacked 14 times in just five starts and has completed a rotten 29.2 percent of his passes when under pressure. I expect this defense to make life hell for Wilson, and running the ball won’t be enough to keep up with Colorado.

Why the Utes will cover

McGrath: Bro, the Utes held Josh Hoover and Co. to 13 points and 199 yards.

They also held Noah Fifita to a 50 percent completion rate (20-for-40) and 1,000-yard receiver Tetairoa McMillan to his second-worst game of the year (50 yards on six catches).

Hey, BYU’s Jake Retzlaff is having a great year. He racked up 112 passing yards against Utah’s secondary.

Utah has played a half-decent schedule of opposing passing attacks. But more importantly, the Utes overwhelmed everyone.

Sanders might be a different animal, but he’s not immune to a rough night against an elite secondary. And – to counter your point. – Utah will be the best pass defense it has faced yet. I definitely think the Utes will hold the Buffs for 60 minutes.

Yes, Utah’s offense is miserable. But the defense continues to step up, which is why the Utes have lost their last three games by a combined 10 points.

I expect another single digit loss on Saturday.

Colorado vs Utah picks and predictions