Not exactly the numbers WVU fans are accustomed to seeing.
What does that mean for the Buffs? Well, the CU defense has been stout against the run, with the best rush defense in the Big 12 (59 yards/game, good for 11th in the nation). The pass defense, as was suspected from the outset of the season, continues to struggle. The Buffs are 91st nationally in pass defense, giving up 245 yards a game.
Translation: West Virginia’s strength is running the ball; CU is good at stopping the run. The Mountaineers don’t have a great passing game, but they will put the ball up to try and exploit the Buffs’ soft pass defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Buffs have been lousy at creating lanes for their running backs, as Colorado is 86th in the nation in rushing offense. However, the opportunities for CU, just like for WVU, are in making the passing game work. The Mountaineers have given up more yards through the air than even the Buffs and are ranked 94th nationally. While Colorado comes in at 45th in total defense, the Mountaineers are 83rd.
No, two games do not make a trend. Both West Virginia and Colorado have played a I-AA team, and while it is true that East Carolina ranks as a tougher opponent than Colorado State, bear in mind that world-beater East Carolina needed a touchdown in the last two minutes this past weekend to pull out a 28-24 win over the mighty Green Wave of Tulane.
Guess we’ll just have to let them play the game and see where our stats fall after Week Three.
Three other stat shots I have to give you before you go
1. Josh Smith leads the nation in kickoff returns with a gaudy 50-yard average. If teams don’t kick to Smith, though, he will eventually fall from the ranks as not having enough returns to qualify.
2. Despite three blowout wins over lackluster competition, Nebraska’s defense is still not the stalwart crew Bo Pelini’s converts would like to see. The "Blackshirts" are 103rd in pass defense after three games. Attributable to the Cornhuskers’ big leads? Not completely.
Nebraska, in surrendering only 43 points total to Western Michigan, San Jose State, and New Mexico State, is still ranked no better than 65th in total defense (347.33 yards per game, compared to 304.00 yards per game given up by the Buffs).
3. While I don’t bet on football, I will give out one piece of advice to bettors: On the over/under of how many times you will read or hear the phrase "John Denver Bowl" this week (presently at 16 ½)—take the over!
Enjoy your week. Enjoy the game.
Go Buffs!
For more on the CU/West Virginia game, including West Virginia trivia, archived games, and "This day in History," log on to http://www.cuatthegame.com.
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