BOULDER — Call it “Breakfast with the Buffs.”
Colorado’s game Saturday against Washington at Folsom Field has an unusual 11 a.m. kickoff to accommodate a Pac-12 Network telecast. The Buffaloes are still looking for their first Pac-12 victory, but if this becomes the usual shootout the chances of CU finally finishing on top may be a bit better this time.
Washington (5-3, 1-3 Pac-12) has not shown to be the offensive juggernaut that many other teams seem to be in this pass-happy conference.
The Huskies rank 12th (last) in total offense among Pac-12 teams with an average of 355.2 yards per game. To put that into perspective, four Pac-12 teams have produced more than 500 yards per game and eight average at least 450 yards. That includes Colorado, which ranks seventh at 470.4.
That’s not to say the Huskies aren’t capable. Sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles, a Coloradan who played high school football at Mullen, is back after sitting out last week with a concussion. The Washington offensive line features massive guards listed at 311 and 381 pounds, and the Huskies running game to going last week during a loss to Arizona State.
“Their problem has been the quarterback (Miles) being banged up,” said CU coach Mike MacIntyre.
Colorado (2-6, 0-5) will be shorthanded on the back end of its defense. Starting strong safety Tedric Thompson, who as recorded all three of CU’s interceptions this season, is listed as “doubtful” to play Saturday.
Thompson suffered a concussion last weekend against UCLA during the first overtime of what would become a double-overtime victory for the Bruins here.
The status of Thompson is only one of the problems for the Buffs at the safety positions.
Colorado lost projected safety starter Jered Bell (ACL) for the season during August camp. Safeties Marques Mosley (ACL) and Terrel Smith (concussion) also went down against UCLA. Mosley, a junior, is done for the remainder of the season. Smith, a senior, suffered a concussion against the Bruins and is listed as doubtful to play Saturday.
More snaps, and perhaps a spot in the starting lineup, will go to a true freshman, Evan White, who grew up in Aurora and played high school ball at Cherokee Trail.
White (6-foot-3 and 195 pounds) has played in every game and made a start against Oregon State. He has a bright future but look for Washington to challenge him Saturday.
CU milestones watch:
* Wide receiver Shay Fields has 38 receptions and needs two more to break the school’s freshman mark of 39 set by Chris McLemore in 1982.
* With four completions, sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau will set a single-season record, breaking the current mark of 241 set by Joel Klatt in 2005.
* Colorado has amassed 400 or more yards of total offense in seven straight games. A Buffs team has never produced 400 yards eight consecutive times.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
