How UCLA and Colorado football reversed roles in the Pac-12

Highlights: No. 10 Colorado football downs No. 22 Washington State in critical Pac-12 matchup

This wasnt how this game was supposed to look.

Colorado, the perennial Pac-12 cellar-dweller, is at the top of the Pac-12 South. UCLA, the preseason favorite to be in that position, is in fifth. The Buffaloes (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) are enjoying their best season since 2005. The Bruins are in their worst since 2010.

So whats behind Colorados sudden surge?

You just get tired of losing, UCLA offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu said.

UCLA, losers of three straight, could use some of that same energy Thursday at 6 p.m. in Folsom Field when the Bruins face the resurgent Buffaloes.

When the Bruins have the ball

On Monday, head coach Jim Mora rattled off names of the six UCLA players who declared for the NFL draft last spring with eligibility left: Caleb Benenoch, Alex Redmond, Paul Perkins, Thomas Duarte, Kenny Clark, Myles Jack. UCLA paid a price for their early success.

Now the Bruins are feeling an overdraft on their account, especially on offense, where four of those six players made their impacts.

It would sure be nice to have a bunch of seniors playing, but thats just not that case, Mora said.

Only four seniors have started a game for the Bruins on offense this season: left tackle Conor McDermott, tight end Nate Iese, receiver Ishmael Adams and quarterback Mike Fafaul. McDermott and Adams were the only ones who had significant playing time previously, but Adams is still in his first year on offense after playing defensive back for four years.

As UCLAs young offense has struggled, Colorados experienced defense has been strong this season. The Pac-12s leaders in fewest yards allowed per game, the Buffaloes returned nine starters on defense (and nine on offense). Colorado entered the year as the most experienced team in the conference and its paying off in the teams success.

Those guys have played a lot of football, Polamalu said. Even though they havent had the success that they would like, they have played a lot of football and the best way you can get (better) in football is to play football. Experience in playing the game of football when you have continuity together, it ends up turning for you.

The Colorado defense is led by its secondary, which leads the conference in pass defense efficiency. Senior defensive back Chidobe Awuzie is an All-American candidate with a versatile skill set capable of fitting in at corner, safety or nickel. Safety Tedric Thompson, also a senior, has a team-leading four interceptions, which is tied for the most in a single season for a CU player in the past nine years.

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When the Buffaloes have the ball

One word sums of Colorados two-headed offensive attack.

Balanced, defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. Balanced, balanced.

The Buffaloes are third in the Pac-12 in total offense (495.8 yards per game) with significant improvement in the running game from a year ago that complements quarterback Sefo Liufau. Colorado averages 216.5 rushing yards per game this season compared to 156.2 a year ago.

Phillip Lindsay has nine rushing touchdowns and is third in the conference with 93.1 rushing yards per game.

In the passing game, the Buffaloes have Liufau, a four-year starter, and a host of receiving threats. Colorado is one of only three teams in the conference to have multiple receivers in the top 12 for receiving yards per game as Shay Fields, a St. John Bosco product, is third (70.4) and Devin Ross is ninth (61.4). Bryce Bobo is not far behind with 61 yards per game.

The UCLA defense is coming off its worst performance of the year after getting gashed for 360 rushing yards against Utah. Utah running back Joe Williams ran for 332 yards, a record for a UCLA opponent. Despite facing another talented offense this week, the Bruins are sure they can put the last games struggles in the past.

Play UCLA standard football and no doubt that well win the game, linebacker Kenny Young said.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20161102/how-ucla-and-colorado-football-reversed-roles-in-the-pac-12