Oct. 2nd – USC – Fifteenth Verse, Same as the First

USC methodically pulled away from Colorado, racing out to a 20-0 first half lead and never being seriously threatened thereafter, posting a 37-14 win in Boulder. In raising its all-time record against the Buffs to 15-0, the Trojans had 494 yards of total offense, with quarterback Kedon Slovis hitting 19-of-29 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. All-American candidate Drake London had nine receptions for 130 yards and a score, with eight of the receptions coming in the first half when the Trojan offense made a statement.

The Colorado offense, playing at historically poor levels, was held to 234 yards of total offense. Quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 10-of-17 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown pass to Chase Penry. Lewis also had a fumble and an interception, and was slow to pull the trigger on numerous passes, being sacked five times by a defense which had only three sacks in the first four games of the season. Tight end Brady Russell had three catches for 87 yards, including a 65-yarder, giving the Buff passing “attack” its first completion over 20 yards on the season.

“We can’t be talking about baby steps anymore,” Karl Dorrell, who fell below .500 for the first time as CU’s head coach (5-6), said. “We scored two touchdowns and that’s not enough. There’s an urgency about being more productive and more demanding about what we’re doing. The pacifier is going to have to go … We’ve got to grow up fast. There’s only so long you can take those incremental steps. We’re at that point right now. This season is in the balance.”

I’m usually a pretty safe bet to invite to a tailgate.

As a general rule, I am too nervous to eat or drink before a game, so I’m not much of a threat to put a dent into your pregame spread.

This weekend, though, I was able to down my pregame meal without any issues. While I had given myself the freedom to dream of a CU upset of USC, my head knew better.

Sure, USC was vulnerable. The Trojans were coming off of an embarrassing 45-27 loss to Oregon State. The Beavers won in the Coliseum for the first time since 1960, and had done so in impressive fashion. The Beavers ran for 322 yards, and, even with OSU committing two turnovers and 14 penalties for 154 yards, the Trojans were never a threat to win.

Oh, and USC was coming to town with an interim head coach.

All the Buffs had to do was to follow the Oregon State template – use a strong rushing attack and take it to the Trojans. Beat them with the reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week, and use the momentum from the home crowd to post the first win over USC in school history.

No. 3 Oregon falls to Stanford in overtime, 31-24 … For CU, Cal and Washington State – It’s Now or Never … Athlon and College Football News predict CU v. USC: “CU will fight the good fight, but …” … Mountain West to stay in tact (for now) …

Trojans scouting report – Players to Watch … Offensive tackle Frank Fillip: “If nothing else we’ll just run the ball every play” … Neill Woelk’s Keys to the Game … Carson Wells hoping to regain 2020 form: “I’ve still got to make those plays” … NLRB: Athletes at private institutions are employees who can unionize …

Michael Westbrook, the ninth Buff to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, will be honored Saturday … It’s a Blackout Saturday …. CU has started the same 11 defenders the past three games … Karl Dorrell is 4-1 v. USC – as a player … USC 128th in sacks and tackles for loss …

This just in: CU is 0-14 all-time against USC … If you haven’t heard the name Drake London before, you will on Saturday (let’s hope not too often) … Which locker room is in the worst state mentally? … Stats which will decide the game …

The Buffs “improved” against Arizona State, but a 14-10 game in the third quarter turned into a 35-13 disappointment … But USC, if anything, is having a more disappointing season than CU … Can the Buffs turn the Trojans’ disarray into an upset? Let’s find out …