GAME OF THE WEEK Colorado faces stiffest test in USC
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Start fast again: The Karl Dorrell era is off to a fast start. During its 2-0 start, CU has led for 103 minutes, 20 seconds out of 120 minutes.
Quarterback Sam Noyer and running back Jarek Broussard have led the way. Noyer, a safety last season, has 512 yards passing, 100 yards rushing and six total touchdowns. Broussard, who missed the last two years following ACL surgeries, has 308 yards rushing, which is the most by any CU player after two games to open a career.
California confidence: The Buffaloes are 0-14 all time against USC (0-9 since joining the Pac-12) and are just 4-25-1 all-time in the state of California. CU let a late lead against the Trojans slip away in Boulder last season but is coming off a 35-32 road victory at Stanford two weeks ago.
The 2020 Buffaloes
have
already exceeded outside expectations for Dorrell’s first season and are playing with house money. If tackling machine Nate Landman and the defense can create a couple turnovers, the offense has the firepower to win a shootout.
Keys for USC
Let Kedon cook: CU is giving up 315 passing yards per game so far, which ranks 119th in the FBS. Kedon Slovis, who has completed 70.7% of his passes for 970 yards and five touchdowns, should be able to spread the ball around to his gifted wide receiver group.
Amon-Ra St. Brown has not scored a touchdown yet this season but is averaging 88.7 yards receiving. Tyler Vaughns, Drake London and Bru McCoy have combined for 565 yards and have one touchdown catch each.
Keep the turnover
machine whirring: The Trojans forced five turnovers during last week’s 33-17 victory at Utah, including three interceptions.
CU has not lost a fumble this season, and Noyer has thrown just one interception. USC player-makers Talanoa Hufanga, Ralen Goforth and Chris Steele were turned loose by defensive coordinator Todd Orlando in Salt Lake City. This will be the biggest test CU, which is averaging 41.5 points, has faced this season.
Prediction
USC 38, Colorado 31: CU enters Thanksgiving weekend undefeated for the first time since 1989 (11-0) and the program’s first victory over USC would portend another special season. But the Trojans are on a mission to win the Pac-12 championship and will outscore the Buffaloes.