GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: A year ago, Khalil Tate victimized Colorado with an FBS quarterback record 327 rushing yards. Last week, the Arizona junior signal caller used his arm to abuse the Buffs’ secondary for a personal-best 350 passing yards and five touchdowns.
The Colorado pass defense has cooled significantly after a strong start, yielding 695 yards and eight touchdowns in the last two games. For perspective, the unit only allowed nine scores in the team’s first seven contests.
The task is huge this week when Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense arrives in Boulder. Washington State owns the nation’s No. 1 passing offense behind Gardner Minshew II, with 3,517 passing yards and 27 touchdowns.
When playing like it did earlier in the season, the Colorado defense is capable of, at least temporarily, slowing the Cougars. The Buffs lead the Pac-12 in turnover margin, including eight interceptions.
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Steven Montez’s effort might have been overshadowed in the Buffs’ loss to Arizona. The junior tossed for his second-straight 300-yard game (343 yards, three touchdowns) and 10th time in his career. This, despite being sacked five times and forced to run for his life most of the game. Montez has cobbled together a career resume that includes 6,449 yards (2,396 yards in 2018) and 44 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions.
ROSTER REPORT:
–S Evan Worthington remained in concussion protocol early this week after sustaining a head injury on Oct. 27 against Oregon State. The senior has 37 tackles to go along with a sack and an interception on the year.
–TB Beau Bisharat is day-to-day while recovering from a strained abdomen muscle also sustained against the Beavers.
–PK Evan Price is expected to return to the Buffs after missing the Arizona trip to illness. With starter James Stefanou nursing an ailing hip, Colorado was forced to turn to third stringer Tyler Francis. The true freshman walk-on connected from 25 and 48 yards, while going perfect on four PATs, in his first collegiate action.
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