Colorado Buffaloes football (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)
In no particular order, here are five things I’ll be watching during Saturday’s football matchup between Colorado (2-3, 0-2 Pac-12) and Oregon State (3-1, 0-1) at Folsom Field:
Colorado’s defensive secondary — It seems almost impossible these days for defenses to keep Pac-12 opponents from moving the ball. But can the Buffs get an interception from somebody not named Tedric Thompson? The sophomore safety has accounted for all three of CU’s picks in 2014.
Nelson Spruce — Let’s see, a CU-record 13 catches two weeks ago against Hawaii, and shattering that with a ridiculous 19 grabs last weekend at California. What can the junior wideout do this week? I’m guessing another superb effort with 11 catches and two touchdowns.
Sean Mannion — Oregon State’s strong-armed senior quarterback has a history of rebounding from a loss and having a big game the following week. He threw for just 123 yards last weekend in a 35-10 loss at Southern California.
Victor Bolden — Will the Beavers’ sophomore wide receiver trot out into the huddle? Oregon State’s best wideout missed the USC game with a dislocated pinky finger and Mannion couldn’t locate another go-to target. Bolden had stitches removed Thursday and his availability for Saturday’s game at Colorado was called “50/50” by OSU coach Mike Riley.
Colorado’s run defense — It’s been spotty through five games but needs to be on its game Saturday. Overlooked in an otherwise poor offensive effort by Oregon State at USC was Beavers running back Storm Woods rushing for 61 yards on just nine carries against the Trojans. Stopping the run and making Oregon State’s offense one-dimensional will be a key.
