What You Need To Know: Buffs Vs. Southern California
COLORADO (1-3, 0-1) vs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (1-2, 2-2)
KICKOFF: 12:01 p.m., Folsom Field (50,183)
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Network with Ted Robinson (play-by-play) and Yogi Roth (color). The radio broadcast will be carried by KOA (850 AM) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Andy Lindahl from the sidelines. KOA's broadcast begins at 10 a.m. with the pregame show.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com and www.850koa.com in the Denver-Boulder metro area. Live statistics and a continuously updated in-game blog will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell is in his second year at the Buffs' helm. Last year's Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Dorrell is 5-5 at CU and 40-32 overall as a head coach. Interim USC coach Donte Williams, who replaced Clay Helton after the second game of the season, is 1-1 with the Trojans. This will be Dorrell's first game against USC at Colorado (he was 1-4 against the Trojans when he was head coach at UCLA). Williams is 0-0 against CU.
THE SERIES: Colorado has never beaten USC on the gridiron, with the Trojans owning a 14-0 record in the series, including seven victories in Boulder. USC won the last matchup, 35-31, in 2019 in Boulder by overcoming a 10-point early fourth quarter deficit with two touchdowns to collect the win.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Buffs need a win to not only end USC's streak, but also to end their current three-game skid and get their first Pac-12 win of the season.
LAST OUTING: Colorado dropped a 35-13 decision at Arizona State while USC lost at home to Oregon State, 45-27.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado's Butkus Award candidate, linebacker Nate Landman continues to enjoy a banner senior season. According to NCAA statistics, Landman is second in the Pac-12 and 26th in the nation in tackles, averaging 9.2 per game. He is also second in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss, averaging 1.2 per contest.
Offensively, RB Jarek Broussard leads the Buffs with 188 yards on 44 carries, followed by Alex Fontenot (37-148).
For USC, wide receiver Drake London already has 39 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns while QB Kedon Slovis is 83-for-129 passing for 842 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Defensively, DL Tuil Tuipulotu leads USC with 21 tackles while safety Isaiah Pola-Mao has 19 tackles, including a team-leading 12 solo stops. Six different Trojans have one interception.
KEY MATCHUPS: Colorado CB Christian Gonzalez vs. USC's London. Gonzalez is quickly establishing himself as a premier cover corner, but he will face his biggest test of the season thus far in London, who is averaging nearly 10 catches per game … Colorado offensive line vs. USC defensive line. USC gave up 322 yards rushing last week to Oregon State and the Buffs would love to open up some big holes early. The Trojans have also not managed to put much pressure on the quarterback this year, with just three sacks. If the Buffs can provide some running lanes early and then protect QB Brendon Lewis in the pocket, CU's offense has a chance to take a step forward.
UP NEXT: The Buffs have next week off, then return to action Oct. 16 at home against Arizona. Kickoff time and television coverage for the game has yet to be set.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu