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    • Colorado Football vs. Arizona Scouting Report: Prediction and 3 Keys
    Albany

    Colorado Football vs. Arizona Scouting Report: Prediction and 3 Keys

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

    Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team will look to avoid their second straight loss this weekend.

    The Buffaloes travel to Arizona for a rematch of last year’s game, which the Wildcats won 34-31.

    Here are three keys and a prediction for the Colorado vs. Arizona game on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. MT:

    Start quickly

    Colorado has trailed at halftime in four of its six games so far this season. The Buffs overcame slow starts against North Dakota State and Baylor, but Arizona has too much offense for them to be sleepwalking.

    After two straight losses (to Texas Tech, at BYU), the Wildcats are reeling a bit, meaning Colorado can’t let the homecoming crowd become a factor early on. A three-and-out or turnover on the first few possessions for the Buffs could become an uphill battle in a loud environment. Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s opening script will dictate how this game starts.

    More: What Arizona coach Brett Brennan said about Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter

    Don’t allow Tetairoa McMillan to feast

    Tetairoa McMillan is arguably the best receiver in college football. The Arizona star is the top-ranked prospect at the position in ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft and leads the Big 12 in receiving yards (742) entering Week 8.

    In last year’s win over Colorado, McMillan caught nine passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Wildcats don’t have much of a running game, so McMillan and quarterback Noah Fifita place an emphasis on making plays through the air. Travis Hunter, the two-way star from Colorado, will play this weekend after leaving the game early last week, pitting one of the best cornerbacks in college football against one of the best pass catchers.

    More: Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan welcomes Travis Hunter duel: ‘We’re trying to attack him’

    Participate in the running game early and often

    Dallan Hayden was the only Colorado running back to carry the ball in the first half of last week’s loss to Kansas State. The Ohio State transfer managed just 11 yards on seven carries and the Buffs finished the game with minus-29 rushing yards (sack yards included). That’s a formula that can’t continue this weekend if Colorado wants to beat Arizona.

    The Wildcats are allowing 147 rushing yards per game this season (9th in the Big 12) and are vulnerable to the run if Shurmur continues to commit to it. Deion Sanders said Tuesday that Arkansas native Isaiah Augustave will likely start at running back against Arizona. If Augustave can help keep this offense balanced, the Buffs will find themselves back in the win column.

    Colorado vs Arizona football prediction

    Last year’s duel between these two teams was decided by a field goal as time expired. Since then, things have gotten worse in Arizona and things have gotten better in Colorado.

    The Wildcats lost their head coach (Jedd Fisch), their leading rusher (Jonah Coleman) and their leading tackler (Ephesians Prysock) from that game to Washington. The Buffs now have the Big 12 leader in passing yards (Shedeur Sanders), receptions (Travis Hunter) and receiving touchdowns (LaJohntay Wester), as well as an improved defense.

    Colorado also nearly beat a team (Kansas State) that overwhelmed Arizona (31-7) in Week 3. The Buffs get revenge for last season and take care of the struggling Wildcats.

    Colorado wins 38-21.

    Keep following Colorado Buffaloes sports reporter Scott Procter X.

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    Madoc Meredith
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