Colorado (1-5, 1-2 Pac-12) at No. 11 Southern California (5-1, 3-1)
4 p.m., Los Angeles Coliseum, Pac-12 Network
Yes, USC lost in mid-September at Stanford, which was ranked No. 21 at the time. Yes, the Trojans still haven’t made their way back into the national-championship conversation. But CU coach Jon Embree opened his weekly media luncheon by reminding everyone that the Trojans were preseason No. 1 (media poll) and still have top-ranked talent. “We have to play error-free on both sides (of the ball), and take advantage of opportunities as they come,” Embree said. CU junior safety Parker Orms said the Buffs can’t be afraid to play against USC’s speed and athleticism. “I always want to play against the best,” Orms said. “That’s what I signed up for.” Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
New Mexico (4-3, 1-1 Mountain West) at Air Force (3-3, 2-1)
5 p.m., Falcon Stadium, ROOT
The troubled Air Force defense showed signs of improvement last weekend while limiting Wyoming to three points in the second half in a 28-27 Air Force victory. Air Force defenders face another test against New Mexico. The Lobos are running an option offense under new coach Bob Davie, and junior running back Kasey Carrier is leading the charge with 630 yards in six games. Air Force linebackers Alex Means and Jared Jones on the outside and Austin Niklas and James Chambers on the inside are in for a busy day’s work. Irv Moss, The Denver Post
Idaho State (1-5, 0-3 Big Sky) at Northern Colorado (1-5, 0-3)
1:35 p.m., Nottingham Field
The Bears’ offense continues to show signs that it can score. After just three points in the first two games, the Bears have averaged 19.5 points the past four games, including 28 points in a loss last week at No. 15 Cal Poly. In the Bears’ favor this week is the fact that Idaho State’s defense is ranked last (No. 121) in FCS. The Bengals have given up an average of 557.7 yards per game this season. They especially struggle against the run, allowing 347.9 yards per game. Idaho State’s only win this season was against Division II Black Hills State (which is in the RMAC), and the next week the Bengals lost 73-7 at Nebraska. The Bears don’t have much of a running game, but quarterback Seth Lobato continues to spark the offense.Denver Post staff reports
Wyoming (1-5, 0-2 Mountain West) at Fresno State (4-3, 2-1)
8:30 p.m., Bulldog Stadium, ROOT
Trying to recover from last week’s collapse against Air Force, the Cowboys are on the road looking for a win. The status of starting quarterback Brett Smith, who earlier this season suffered a concussion, is unknown. He did not play last week, and backup Jason Thompson played a solid first half in the loss to Air Force. Fresno State is preparing for both. “If they put that kid on the field, we’re going to hit him. And if they put the other kid on the field, we’re going to hit him. They need to know it,” Bulldogs defensive coordinator Nick Toth told the Fresno Bee. Four of Wyoming’s past five games have been decided by three points or fewer (just one win), and the fifth was a 35-28 overtime loss to Nevada. Denver Post staff
