UCF running game looks to counter Colorado's passing

UCF and Colorado are in positions similar to last year as they ready for Saturday afternoon's Big 12 clash in Orlando, Fla.

The Knights (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) won their first three games in 2023 before their season went into a lengthy struggle that led to a final 6-7 record. The Buffaloes (3-1, 1-0) started 3-0 last year before stumbling to a final 4-8 mark.

Both coaches are putting aside any thought of a repeat performance.

"This is a completely different team," UCF's Gus Malzahn said this week. "We have more experience. I've said that before. We're actually 1-0 in the conference and we weren't that way last year.

"We have a real quality road win (at TCU) so it's a different year. That ship's sailed. We're not thinking that way. We've got a big game and we've got to take care of business."

Colorado's Deion Sanders likes the way his Buffaloes have progressed in bounce-back wins over Colorado State and Baylor since a Sept. 7 loss at Nebraska.

"We're getting there," he said. "We're getting closer. The one thing I can honestly and wholeheartedly say is we're getting better every week in different facets of the game. You know darn well that you can't compare last year's defense to this defense or the offense as well. You see progress."

The Knights enter the game ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 in both rushing (375.7 yards per game) and stopping the run (64.0). The Buffaloes are last in rushing (68.8) and 10th in stopping the run (150.8).

"Load up the box and pray," Sanders said of his plan for slowing a UCF run game led by R.J. Harvey's 149.3 yards per game.

UCF's concern is contending with Colorado's passing game. Shedeur Sanders has thrown for an average of 335.0 yards a game and hit a Hail Mary as time ran out to send last week's win over Baylor to overtime.

"You've got to put pressure on him, there's no doubt," Malzahn said. "So far we've not done a great job putting pressure on quarterbacks when they're thrown it. "

--Field Level Media