BOULDER — It was no surprise when Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre and his defensive staff made takeaways a point of emphasis during spring drills and August camp. After all, forcing turnovers is usually the best way to pull an upset.
Unfortunately for the Buffaloes, all that work in practice has not translated to the games.
Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12) has just three interceptions entering Saturday’s game at No. 22 Southern California (4-2, 3-1).Among 124 major college teams, that ranks in a tie at No. 104.
“Our team understands how important turnovers are,” Colorado defensive backs coach Charles Clark said. “The ones we haven’t gotten could have changed some games.”
Colorado ranks ninthamong Pac-12 teams in turnover margin at minus-2 — two more giveaways than takeaways. Losing just one fumble this season has saved CU from being worse in the turnover battle.
Other numbers may be more telling.
* With three interceptions, Colorado is on a pace (with six) to finish with its second-lowest interception total during the past 10 years, joining the 2012 team.
* Colorado also has just three fumble recoveries. That’s on a pace for six fumbles gained which would tie the 2007 team for the lowest total in 10 years.
And how’s this for strange: Tedric Thompson, a sophomore strong safety, has accounted for each of Colorado’s three interceptions.
“I don’t know why we’re struggling in that area,” Thompson said. “We’re getting some tipped balls. We’re there (in position). We’re getting close. We just have to put our foot on the throttle a little bit more.”
Turnovers is a phase of the game that sometimes can be just plain “weird,” said CU defensive coordinator Kent Baer.
“We probably work as hard on causing turnovers as anybody,” Baer said. “I’ve seen teams finally get some turnovers and it’s like a wildfire, where it grows. I expect we’ll get a bunch in the last half of the season.”
Colorado coaches know there is a fine line between a defensive back becoming more aggressive and taking ill-advised risks. Coaches do not want cornerbacks and safeties to feel they must gamble.
“We definitely have to do our job,” CU senior cornerback Greg Henderson said. “But if the time comes and the ball comes our way, we definitely have to get it.”
Facing Pac-12 quarterbacks doesn’t make the task any easier. As a group, they’re the best in the country, with big arms and quick minds.
Three Pac-12 quarterbacks have thrown at least 100 passes without an interception this season: Oregon’s Marcus Mariota (155 attempts), Washington’s Cyler Miles (129) and Utah’s Travis Wilson (101).
But nobody’s perfect. Not even Pac-12 QBs.
“It goes back to our (defensive players) knowing where they need to be, feeling good about where they are, and being in the right position to get turnovers,” MacIntyre said. “I feel they have improved in those areas.”
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
Pac-12 picks
A team-by-team look at the interceptions by Pac-12 teams this season, and their national ranking.
(Team Games No. Rank)
1. Southern California 6 7 31st
2. Utah 5 6 48th
2. Oregon State 5 6 48th
2. California 6 6 48th
2. Oregon 6 6 48th
6. Washington 6 5 68th
6. Stanford 6 5 68th
8. UCLA 6 4 83rd
8. Arizona 6 4 83rd
10. Colorado 6 104
11. Arizona State 5 2 114
11. Washington State 7 2 114
— Source: Pac-12, NCAA
