Colorado Vs. Stanford: What You Need To Know

COLORADO (1-0) at STANFORD (0-1)

KICKOFF: 1:35 p.m. at Stanford Stadium (50,424)

TV, RADIO: ESPN will televise the game with Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (color) and Shelley Smith (sidelines). KOA Radio will broadcast the game with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson on play-by-play and Gary Barnett providing color commentary.

ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com or via KOA Radio website (www.850KOA.com). CUBuffs.com will also provide a live blog with continuous updates throughout the game. Complete game notes with rosters, statistics and depth chart may also be found at CUBuffs.com.

THE COACHES: Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell is in his first year at the Buffs' helm. David Shaw is in his 10th year at Stanford. This will be the first meeting between the two as head coaches, but Dorrell did compile a 4-1 record against Stanford as UCLA's head coach. Shaw is 3-2 against the Buffaloes.

THE SERIES: Stanford has a 6-5 all-time lead in the series, including a 3-2 edge in Pac-12 play and a 3-1 edge on the Cardinal's home field. The Buffs have won the last two despite scoring just one touchdown in each game — a 10-5 win at Stanford in 2016 and a 16-13 win in Boulder in 2019.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Buffs are currently tied with USC for the Pac-12 South lead and a victory would keep them in at least a tie atop the division (USC plays at Arizona). The Cardinal needs a win in order to not fall too far behind the Pac-12 North.

LAST OUTING: Colorado jumped out to a 35-7 lead over UCLA, then withstood a Bruins rally before regaining control down the stretch to collect a 48-42 opening win last week in Boulder. Stanford jumped out to a 7-0 lead last week at Oregon before allowing the Ducks to score the next 28 points in a 35-14 Oregon win.

TEAM LEADERS: Offensively, the Buffs are led by running back Jarek Broussard (187 yards, three touchdowns last week) and quarterback Sam Noyer (257 yards, one touchdown passing and one touchdown rushing). Defensively, Buffs LB Nate Landman had nine tackles last week; safety Derrion Rakestraw had six tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery; and LB Carson Wells had five tackles and an interception.

Stanford's offense was led last week by running back Austin Jones (100 yards, two touchdowns) and quarterback Jack West, who stepped in for anticipated starter Davis Mills to throw for 154 yards. Mills could play this week. Defensively, linebacker Curtis Robinson had six tackles and cornerback Ethan Bonner had five. 

KEY MATCHUP: Colorado front seven vs. Stanford offensive line. The Buffs must contain a Stanford rushing attack that ran for 197 yards against the Ducks. The Cardinal have four returning starters up front on a line that boasts five 300-pounders. It means CU's Mustafa Johnson, Jalen Sami and Terrance Lang will have their hands full, as well as linebackers Landman, Akil Jones,  Wells and Guy Thomas.

UP NEXT: The Buffs are scheduled to play host to Arizona State next Saturday at 8 p.m. at Folsom Field.