Colorado vs. Ohio State: 5 Things Buffaloes Must Do for a Week 4 Upset

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While the Colorado Buffaloes are off to a rough 1-2 start, they have a great opportunity to turn their season around with a big upset win at Ohio State. 

Ohio State is not the same team that we are used to seeing, with questions looming ahead of them. 

This game should be a lot more exciting and closer than people may think.

Here are the five things Colorado must do to pull off the upset.

5) Let Senior Quarterback Tyler Hansen Control the Game

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Colorado senior quarterback Tyler Hansen has been impressive despite the disappointing record. He is 61-111 on the season for 912 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception.

Hansen also has two rushing touchdowns, but does not run the ball very often. He has been very careful with the football, and that will be key in the upcoming game against Ohio State. 

If Colorado is going to upset Ohio State, Hansen will need to be masterful and lead this offense as he did in the Buffaloes' Week 3 victory over Colorado State. 

4) Shut Down Ohio State Running Back Carlos Hyde

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Considering the Buckeyes are a much better running team than they are a passing team, shutting down Ohio State's leading rusher, sophomore Carlos Hyde, will be big. 

The Buckeyes have averaged 170 rushing yards per game, 53rd in the nation. Hyde has rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns, while adding six catches for 51 yards.

In the Buckeyes' loss at Miami, Hyde had his worst game of the season, only getting 12 carries for 54 yards and one catch for 12 yards.

Shutting down the Ohio State running game will be huge, as the passing game of the Buckeyes has struggled.  

3) Get Rodney Stewart the Ball Early and Often

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Colorado's running game has been the weak link of the offense in 2011. They have only averaged 90 yards per game, 103rd in the nation. 

Rodney Stewart is not the biggest back at 5'6", but he is very explosive. Thus far in 2011 Stewart has 223 rushing yards and 18 catches for 277 yards.

Last week against Miami, the Buckeyes allowed a total of 240 rushing yards and a touchdown. 

With Colorado's passing game as strong as it is, Rodney should be able to find the end zone either through the air or on the ground for his first touchdown of the year. 

2) Jump out to an Early Lead

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This is always easier said than done, but the Buckeyes have allowed 29 first-quarter points in the past two weeks combined. 

With the Buffaloes playing on the road, getting out to an early lead will be a major key to pulling off the upset.

If the Buffaloes can jump on the Buckeyes right out of the gate, they can take the Ohio State crowd right out of it from the get-go. 

1) Put Pressure on Whoever the Ohio State Quarterback Will Be

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According to sources, Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell has not decided who will start at quarterback for the Buckeyes against the Buffaloes in Week 4. 

Senior quarterback Joe Bauserman has started all three games for the Buckeyes, but he was less than impressive in Week 3, going 2-for-14 for 13 yards. That is a completion percentage of 14.3.

True freshman Braxton Miller replaced Bauserman in Week 3 and went 2-for-4 for 22 yards and an interception. Miller has shown the ability to scramble, as he rushed the ball seven times for 32 yards in the loss. 

Colorado has recorded 11 sacks on the season, and pressure on either Ohio State quarterback will be the key to pulling off the upset.