BOULDER — Trying to keep up with ninth-ranked Oregon and its blur offense would be a tall task in any case, but with Colorado resorting to piecing together a makeshift lineup, today’s 1:30 p.m. matchup at Folsom Field almost doesn’t seem fair.
Due to a rash of injuries and some suspensions, the Buffaloes (1-6, 0-3 Pac-12) barely resemble the team that opened the season. Two more CU players went down last weekend in the 52-24 loss at Washington, and they happened to be among the best on the team: junior linebacker Doug Rippy, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, and senior tailback Rodney Stewart, who will miss up to four weeks with a knee sprain.
Against a Ducks squad (5-1, 3-0) that ranks third nationally in scoring (48.67), fifth in rushing offense (315.0) and fifth in total offense (539.0), Colorado will trot out freshman starters at wide receiver (Keenan Canty), tailback (Tony Jones) and cornerback (Greg Henderson).
And if safety Ray Polk (wrist, sternum, concussion) can’t go, look for another freshman, Kyle Washington, to get his most extended playing time of the season.
Yet another freshman, Brady Daigh, is a possibility to replace Rippy at middle linebacker. But against Oregon’s spread attack, the Buffs could shift junior Jon Major to the middle and give senior Patrick Mahnke the start on the outside. Mahnke, a former safety, is one of the team’s fastest linebackers.
In addition to Stewart, Colorado will be without its most explosive offensive player, wide receiver Paul Richardson (knee) for the third consecutive game.
On the plus side, senior cornerback Jonathan Hawkins may be ready to make an impact after missing time due to a family issue. Hawkins would give Colorado an experienced true cornerback to team with the freshman Henderson. The past two weeks, CU has used converted safety Terrel Smith at corner.
The Buffs also will have their best pass rusher Josh Hartigan (stinger) back. Putting pressure on Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas and forcing the 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior into mistakes may be CU’s only hope.
Oregon could choose to give junior All-American tailback LaMichael James (elbow) another week off. But his backup, junior Kenjon Barner, is averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
Colorado could make national headlines by just keep it close.
Otherwise, hopefully the CU homecoming parade was a good one.
