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Taking a look at Colorado’s big game this Saturday in Tucson
This Saturday the Buffaloes will face a familiar opponent in the Arizona Wildcats, but this time it’s in the Big 12. Colorado comes into this matchup following a heart-wrenching loss against Kansas State. Now they need a crucial conference win on the road to get back on track, as the Buffs sit at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play. While not a bad start to the season, they need to start stringing wins together if they want to compete in this highly competitive conference.
Arizona, on the other hand, enters this game after two tough conference losses to Texas Tech and BYU—two of the conference’s top teams. The Wildcats are sitting at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 action. In addition to those two losses, the Wildcats were also blown out by Kansas State in a game that wasn’t officially counted as conference play, but that defeat still gives us a glimpse of where Arizona stands. In reality, the Wildcats are 1-3 against Big 12 competition, so it’s surprising that they come into this matchup as 3-point favorites.
Why Colorado Will Win
Colorado’s Elite Players
Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are mismatches for the Wildcats at all times. While Arizona does have a few top players, they don’t have the same level of talent across the board as Colorado. Sanders has been lighting up defenses, throwing for over 2000 yards and 17 touchdowns through six games this season. He remains one of the most effective quarterbacks in the country and is being touted as such. Arizona’s secondary has struggled against lesser passing offenses, which should indicate Sanders may be up for a big day.
Adding to Colorado’s firepower, head coach Deion Sanders announced on Tuesday that both Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. will be fully active for Saturday’s game. With both back in the fold, I expect this offense to operate at full throttle. Hunter is a Heisman candidate when healthy, and with Horn providing additional speed and route running over the middle Saturday, Colorado’s passing attack could push Arizona’s defense to its limits.
This Arizona defense has consistently shown they are vulnerable against talented offenses. The Wildcats simply don’t have the defensive depth or discipline to handle Colorado’s high-powered passing attack. This game could serve as yet another Heisman moment for Shedeur, further solidifying his case as a top draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Noah Fafita’s Struggles
Noah Fafita, Arizona’s quarterback, has not had a good run against Big 12 opponents this year. In the past four weeks, he’s thrown for just three touchdowns while giving away seven interceptions. These numbers are simply not good enough to win in a conference as competitive as the Big 12, and I think we will more of the same from Fafita.
Beyond the stats, Fafita doesn’t pass the eye test either. He lacks the size, speed, and arm strength that modern quarterbacks need. He’s often late on his reads, and where other quarterbacks can make up for that with a powerful arm, Fafita’s throws just lack velocity and drive. His awkward throwing motion and inability to break down defenses has made him ineffective so far this year. He also has a tendency to take way too deep 15-yard drops on passing plays and he relies on improvisation a bit too much at times. It’s a video-game like strategy, and one that doesn’t lead to long term success against tough competition.
While Arizona may lean on a fast-paced offense with quick passes and pre-snap reads, I don’t see Fafita playing at a high level against a Colorado defense that is improving by the week. Especially if Travis Hunter is back on the field to guard star receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Let’s just hope Shilo Sanders figures it out after a poor showing last week and this defense rallies to “upset” a hungry Arizona team.
Mismatches Across the Field
The teams that have beaten Colorado this season are Nebraska and Kansas State. They did so by dominating the trenches and playing physical, mistake-free football. Arizona simply hasn’t shown the ability to do that. Against lesser teams like New Mexico, they struggled to stop the run and gave up chunk plays all game long. When Arizona faced Kansas State, they were pushed around from start to finish.
Defensively, Arizona has been underwhelming. Even against weaker competition, they’ve struggled to enforce their will so far this year. I don’t see them being able to hang with Colorado’s offense, which has too many weapons for the Wildcats to cover.
All in all, Arizona seems outmatched from top to bottom. I expect Colorado to dominate the game’s essential phases and control the tempo from the start. The Wildcats just don’t have the talent or consistency to keep up with the Buffs.
Final Prediction
Colorado 35
Arizona 23
by Jacob.Thompson
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