CU Buffs vs. USC football: How to watch, storylines, predictions

No. 8 USC (4-0) at Colorado (3-1)

When/where: Saturday, 10 a.m./Folsom Field

TV/Radio: FOX/850 AM

BetMGM Line: USC -21.5, 73.5 over/under

Weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83

Five storylines

Response to adversity: Last Saturday was the first time the Buffs were brought back down to earth in the Coach Prime Era after thrilling wins over TCU, Nebraska and CSU in double OT to start the season. Now it’s time to see what sort of gusto CU really has against a USC program that’s owned CU. If the Buffs come out and get embarrassed again, the rest of the Pac-12 schedule will seem twice as daunting. Time for CU to answer the bell.

Buffs’ non-existent run game: CU had 55 net rushing yards against TCU, 58 against Nebraska, 70 against CSU and 40 against Oregon. That equates to only 55.8 yards per game, which is making the CU offense one-dimensional, and, in turn, making quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ job twice as difficult. Unless CU can start to establish some ground-and-pound with Dylan Edwards or whomever it may be, the offense will struggle to find a rhythm against Pac-12 defenses.

Onus on the lines: Oregon manhandled the Buffs at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball last week, and USC is no doubt watching that tape believing it can do the same. CU’s offensive line hasn’t been able to establish the run or protect Sanders, who’s been sacked 23 times for minus-207 yards. The Ducks also ran roughshed over the Buffs’ defensive line to the tune of 240 yards, a weakness Nebraska (222 rushing yards) also exposed. A total turnaround is needed by CU’s hogmolies.

The Caleb Williams Show: After transferring from Oklahoma, the USC quarterback won the 2022 Heisman Trophy and became a top NFL draft prospect. He’s built off that momentum through four games this year with a 74.3 completion percentage for 1,200 yards, a 223.1 rating and 15 TDs to zero interceptions. Saturday will be a chance for Buffs fans to get an up-close look at the guy who has a chance to join Ohio State’s Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winners.

One-sided history: CU’s never beaten USC, with an 0-16 record all-time dating back to 1927. The Buffs are 0-8 at home and on the road in the series, and 0-11 against the Trojans in Pac-12 play. USC won 55-17 in Los Angeles last year. The Buffs have lost two of the last four games at Folsom Field by one score or less, including a 35-31 defeat in 2019 when CU blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Predictions

Kyle Newman, sportswriter: USC 48, CU 10

After my prediction of a stunning upset in Eugene last week aged like moldy cheese by halftime, these Buffs revealed who they really are: A six-win team that still has plenty of ground to make up to catch up to the traditional Pac-12 heavyweights. Saturday will be another humbling for Coach Prime & Co.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: USC 50, CU 28

Is anybody else worried that Tommy’s Trojans have already dropped one of their stinkers for the season at Arizona State … only to pull away late anyway? Everything the Buffs do — and want to do — USC does better. And with better dudes. I’d never rule out Deion crafting a shocker on the big stage, but staying within a score of Lincoln Riley’s roster, after what we saw in Eugene, would be plenty shocking enough.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: USC 38, CU 28

For all their talent, the Trojans still suffer from the same issue that kept last year’s offensive juggernaut from reaching the CFP: Namely, they aren’t particularly great at tackling. Will that be enough for the Buffs to stay within striking distance for three quarters? Yes. Will that also be enough for Coach Prime to pull off another shocker? Probably not.

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No. 8 USC (4-0) at Colorado (3-1)

Five storylines

Predictions

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