Fast Five Keys For Buffaloes Vs. Cal

BOULDER — Colorado interim head coach Mike Sanford didn’t make any big promises when he was appointed to the position on Oct. 2.

But Sanford did say he wanted to make the game fun again for the 0-5 Buffaloes, who admittedly have found that commodity in short supply thus far this year. 

Of course, the best way to have fun is to collect a win, something the 0-5 Buffs (0-2 Pac-12) will attempt to do Saturday when they play host to Cal (3-2, 1-1) in a noon game at Folsom Field.

To notch that elusive first victory, Sanford’s Buffs will have to change the direction of just about every facet of their game. They will need to improve a defense that is near the bottom of the nation in points allowed (43.2 per game) and an offense that is occupying the same neighborhood in its production (13.4 points per game).

The Buffs did show some slight improvement in their last outing, registering a season-high in points in a 43-20 loss to Arizona.

But they will be facing a Cal team that rolled to a 49-31 win over that same Arizona team a week earlier before falling to Washington State, 28-9, in its last outing.

Both teams are coming off a bye week, meaning both teams have had a little extra time to address their issues.

What the Buffs must do in order to notch their first win of the season:

1. Reduce explosive plays on defense. In five games, Colorado has yielded 2,544 offensive yards on 346 offensive snaps by the opponent — and 1,059 of those yards have come on just 35 plays.

Translated, that means more than 41 percent of opponents’ yardage has come on barely 10 percent of the plays.

Those chunk plays are back-breakers. The Buffs have to figure out a way to reduce those big moments and make the Bears work to grind out long, sustained drives.

If CU can accomplish that, the Buffs can be in the game down the stretch.

2. Win the turnover battle. In five games this year, Colorado has yet to have more takeaways than turnovers.

The Buffs have broken even in that department several times. But they have yet to produce an edge in those momentum-shifting moments that can change the complexion of a game in an instant.

Overall, the Buffs have forced just four turnovers by their opponents — one interception and three fumble recoveries. That’s not a recipé for success, especially for a team in need of some breaks.

Cal…