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CU Buffs (0-4, 0-1 Pac-12) at Arizona (2-2, 0-1); 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Arizona Stadium, Tucson
TV/Radio: Pac-12 Network / 630 AM, 94.1 FM
Line: Arizona -17.5, 57.5 over/under
Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudy
What to know
Yay, history! The Buffs will be trying to prevent the program’s first 0-5 start to a football season since 2006 — Dan Hawkins’ debut campaign as coach. CU opened 0-6 that autumn and wound up 2-10, 2-6 in Big 12 play in the Hawk’s inaugural season.
Ground to gain? The Wildcats’ offense has turned a corner under second-year coach Jedd Fisch, but the defense remains a work on progress — especially in the box. Cal shredded the Wildcats for 354 rushing yards a week ago and put up 49 points in the process. Arizona ranks 11th in the Pac-12 in run defense, so you’d think that to be exploitable on the road. The problem? CU ranks dead last in the league in the same category and is giving up almost 100 yards more per game (323) than the Wildcats’ 228. UA’s tackling issues won’t help you if you’re down double-digits on the road with a true freshman at quarterback.
Negative superlatives. The largest margin of defeat for the Buffs against UA (25 points) and most points surrendered (56) in the history of the series happened in the same game, at Tucson in November 2012, a 56-31 setback. Can CU avoid a repeat wreck as nearly 18-point underdogs in the desert?
Family ties. Isaiah Taylor, son of NFL Hall-of-Fame pass-rusher — and Broncos star Pat Surtain II family friend — Jason Taylor is expected to make his starting debut at safety for the Cats. The redshirt freshman came off the bench to record seven stops against Cal last weekend.
Key matchups
CU CB Nikko Reed vs. Arizona WR Jacob Cowing. Should the Buffs actually force UA to throw, they’re gonna throw to No. 2. Cowing, a transfer from UTEP, leads the Cats with six receiving scores and 28 catches — 21 of which, or 75%, have turned into first downs.
CU MLB Josh Chandler-Semedo vs. Arizona QB Jayden de Laura. UCLA signal-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson had Buffs linebackers guessing wrong on the mesh most of the time at Folsom last Saturday. Expect more of the same from the sophomore de Laura, who’s netted 63 rush yards on 14 attempts (4.5 per tote) in his last two appearances.
Predictions
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Arizona 39, CU 13
For a freshman chucked into the fire, Owen McCown had a nice starting debut against UCLA. Although the bar was low — unlike his older peers, he didn’t fumble the ball away on the first series and could recognize at least some of what the Bruins defense put in front of him. That said, the play-calling was user-friendly and the atmosphere — save for the chants about coach Karl Dorrell — was far from hostile. Tucson will be the exact opposite. Road crowds are brutal on freshman QBs and freshman kickers. If you’re a Buffs fan, be patient. Also, hide your eyes.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: Arizona 40, CU 20
The Arizona defense is bad. Really bad. But is the CU offense good enough to exploit it? If the last four weeks are any indication, the answer is a resounding “no.” It might be time for CU athletic director Rick George to fire up another statement. After the Buffs start 0-5 — both on the scoreboard and as double-digit dogs — the calls for Karl Dorrell’s job will only grow louder.
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