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A familiar conference foe in a new conference.
The Colorado Buffaloes are 4-2 after six games. In 2023, the Colorado Buffaloes were 4-2 after six games. Let’s hope that this season end differently.
That starts tomorrow, with the Buffs going to Tuscon on an unreasonably cool day to face the Arizona Wildcats. Brian Pederson has been a friend to the blog for a long time, and AZ Desert Swarm does a better job than anyone of covering the Wildcats and the Big 12 Conference as a whole. Read what Brian had to say about Arizona below:
Since fans know everything and never overreact, the smart move is to cut bait down and start over once again. That’s pretty much the vibe halfway through Brent Brennan’s first season, a reaction that’s heavily influenced by Arizona bringing back several big pieces from the 10-3 team of 2023 but underachieving.
In reality, though, it’s been a disappointing season no doubt because of the lofty expectations that existed, and the offense has been very inconsistent. Arizona has the same record as it did after six games last year, the difference is that 3-3 in 2023 felt really good while 3-3 in 2024 feels like a major letdown.
That’s the million dollar question. No second receiver has emerged to fill the void left by Jacob Cowing, or tight end and fellow NFL Draft pick Tanner McLachlan for that matter, while the run game has been productive but not utilized nearly as much as one would have expected. San Jose State transfer Quali Conley has been very effective running the ball, he’s just not getting it enough, same with Ole Miss transfer Kedrick Reescano, while New Mexico transfer Jacory Croskey-Merritt looked like a beat in the opener but hasn’t played since due to questions about his eligibility.
Jedd Fisch ran a pro-style offense that involved a lot of variety so that you couldn’t just focus on one aspect and try to take it away. Dino Babers’ approach is much harder to describe, partly because the offense just hasn’t clicked and also because he stopped calling the plays after three games. TE coach/passing coordinator Matt Adkins took over before the Utah game and there hasn’t been much of a difference, as in both instances Arizona moves the ball seemingly at ease until it gets to the opposing 30 and then forgets how to produce.
Tetairoa McMillan should be the first pure receiver (read: not a two-way player) drafted in April, and I mentioned Conley/Reescano as solid ball carriers. After that it’s a lot of uncertainty, though tight end Keyan Burnett has looked very impressive when he gets the ball. Only two other receivers have at least 10 catches, one of them being ex-Buff Montana Lemonious-Craig.
On defense, LB Jacob Manu led the Pac-12 in tackles last season but he missed all but four snaps last week at BYU after getting ejected for targeting. DE Tre Smith is one of the top players at the power-conference level in pressuring the quarterback. The secondary was one of the biggest strengths of this team entering the season but has been decimated by injuries, with two captains likely out for the year and potential high draft pick Tacario Davis (who will guard Travis Hunter, if he plays) dealing with a groin issue.
With Khalil Tate in the house as the honorary captain, a sellout crowd (thanks, Deion!) and a day game with the temperature far below 100, all of the ingredients are there for Arizona to get back on track after two straight losses. Sabatino Chen’s shot was NOT good, but the Wildcats will again kick a late field goal to win.
by Jack Barsch
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