BOULDER —Following Monday’s practice, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre was reminded that a Buffaloes football team never has celebrated a victory over Southern California.
MacIntyre was asked if he can use that as motivation this week. Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12) plays No. 22 USC (4-2, 3-1) on Saturday.
Southern California has won all eight meetings in the series. That includes three Trojan victories since Colorado joined the Pac-12 prior to the 2011 season.
Granted, eight meetings is not a lot. The teams did not meet during a stretch from 1928-1962 and again from 1965-1999.
The Buffs came closest to a win over USC in 2000, a 17-14 loss in Los Angeles. USC won 47-29 last year in Boulder.
MacIntyre said it “would be nice” to be the first Buffs team to defeat the Trojans.
“I look forward to that,” he said. “That would be a great feather in our hat. Our kids do believe they can play with anybody and beat anybody. I think they’re excited about playing this game.
“(Southern California) is an excellent football team. We have a lot of kids from that area, so they’ll be excited to play there.”
MacIntyre said his team took advantage of last week’s open date and accomplished what he wanted.
“I wanted to get us healthy,” MacIntyre said. “I wanted to work with the younger guys (including redshirting freshmen). We needed to get better in a few fundamental areas, and a few things on special teams, a few things on defense, a few things on offense like short-yardage.
“I feel we improved in those areas and we’ll go see what happens Saturday.”
Footnote: CU’s Oct. 25 home game vs. UCLA, designated as CU’s “Back toBoulder Homecoming,” was selected by Pac-12 Network and will have a noon kickoff. … USC running back Javorius Allen was named the Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-best 205 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s 28-26 win at then No. 10 Arizona.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
