Game Eight Preview: Cincinnati at Colorado
The Bearcats will travel more than 1,200 miles Saturday night for a primetime showdown with Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes squad in Boulder.
Both teams come into the game at 5-2 with identical 3-1 records in Big 12 Conference play.
The winner will not only become bowl eligible, but will also remain in the race for a conference championship game appearance.
"We've certainly talked about where we're sitting in the standings and where we're at right now," Satterfield told media on Tuesday. "Game number eight, playing for a Big 12 Championship, two teams with the same record. There's a lot on the line and that's what we talk about."
Despite the importance of every game moving forward, Satterfield says his team remains focused on their preparation and isn't paying attention to outside noise.
"All the other stuff is what everybody else talks about. For us, it's about our preparation and putting together a great gameplan. Going against their offense, their defense, their kicking game, and then going out and working on that plan this week and having great confidence in that plan when we go into the game. All that other stuff is for fans and the media. For us, it's about the ball."
Colorado's offense is led by one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country - Shadeur Sanders.
(AP Photo- Rick Scuteri)
Sanders leads an offense that currently ranks seventh nationally in passing yards per game (324) and fifth in completion percentage (71.4).
Sanders has solidified himself as a Heisman candidate, currently ranking second in completions per game (27.86), fourth in completion percentage (72.2%,), fifth in passing yards (2,268), and fifth in passing touchdowns (19).
Sanders (91.0) is currently PFF's highest-graded Big 12 QB.
"He's very elusive," Satterfield said about Sanders. "He gets outside, and all he's doing is buying time. He's buying time for those guys to either go deep or come across, and then he has the athleticism and accuracy to be able to put it on them. We have to stay in coverage. I think sometimes you have a tendency to think 'Oh, man, the quarterback is out. Let me come out of coverage'. He'll [Sanders] make you pay, so you better stay in coverage and see what's going to happen. But he's looking up the field to try to make the big plays, and he's had a bunch of them outside the pocket."
Sanders is surrounded by a wealth of offensive talent out wide.
The Buffaloes wide receiver room is one of the best in the country with two-way Heisman candidate Travis Hunter (51 rec, 604 yds, 6 tds), former 1,000 yard FAU receiver LaJohntay Webster (34 rec, 445 yds, 7 tds), former Vanderbilt star Will Sheppard (26 rec, 384 yds, 3 tds), and junior Jimmy Horn Jr (28 rec, 356 yds).
Webster totaled 127 receiving yards on eight catches in Colorado's 34-7 win over Arizona last week.
"Colorado is a team that's made great improvement from last year," said Satterfield. "I look at their team and their offense gets a lot of accolades and is talked about a lot as they should. Shedeur [Sanders] is playing at a very high level and so is Travis [Hunter] and about four other receivers. Their passing game is incredible and they're hard to defend, hard to stop, and they're hard to slow down."
If there is one weakness in the Colorado offense, it is the inconsistent play of the offensive line.
Sanders has thrown six interceptions and has been sacked 24 times through seven games.
"We have to continue to do the things we have been doing the last few weeks. It's just going to be a different way, right?"
Satterfield continued on game-planning for Colorado's explosive offense.
"You are playing a team that's going to spread you out and try to get some space out there for those wide receivers. So, we have to do a great job of recognizing formations and what they are trying to do within those formations, staying on top. They will hit some plays, for sure. They do on everybody, but now we have to get them down. I think that's the big thing, is trying to limit some of those big plays where those guys are catching the ball and running off with that. They have some great speed at it, wide receiver, there's not just one guy. You have to worry about them. And there's a bunch of them out there across the board, and somebody's going to get singled up. We have to do a great job of doing that."
Defensively, Cincinnati ranks fourth in the Big 12 in scoring defense (19.3) and are among the leaders in forced fumbles (nine). Forcing turnovers, getting pressure on Sanders, and forcing the Colorado offense to settle for field goals will be the three primary "keys to victory."
"We have to mix it up on Shedeur [Sanders]. I think if you just allow him to sit in that pocket, he's going to kill you. So, you have to be able to do some things to maybe try to get him off the spot. He does a great job. He does get flushed out of pocket, keeping his eyes up down the field and having some big plays. He believes in his receivers, and we have to do a great job if he does get out of the pocket. Trying to have somebody to contain that, it's a big challenge."
As much hype as the Colorado offense gets, the defense has been much improved this season compared to Primetime's first season in Boulder.
Colorado has one of the best red zone defenses in the nation (68.0%, 8th) and leads the Big 12 in sacks (21) and tackles for loss (49).
Defensive linemen Samuel Okunlola, BJ Green II, and Taje McCoy all have three sacks, each, this season.
Cincinnati's offense has shown an improved ability to connect on explosive plays this season with 14 plays of 40 yards or more and 20 of 30 or more.
Sorsby and the UC receivers will be tested by a Colorado secondary that is led by arguably the best player in college football - Travis Hunter.
Hunter has two interceptions this year and will likely be the primary defender on UC wide receiver Xzavier Henderson.
6-foot-2 Sophomore cornerback DJ McKinney leads the team in tackles (44) while Liberty transfer Preston Hodge and true freshman Colton Hood both are tied with Hunter with two interceptions, as well.
"I do think that their defense is getting overlooked a little bit. I believe their defense is playing really good this year," said Satterfield.
"I think they've played a lot better as the season has gone on and that is what you want. When we look at the film, I believe they are number one in sacks, and they had a huge game last week against Arizona. I think they got seven sacks last week. They are number one in tackles for loss defensively. They play hard, which is a sign of a well-coached team, and they have some really good athletes, and they've got it rolling there. This is a tremendous challenge for us as we're going into their environment."
Keys to Victory
- Walkon safety Antwan Peek Jr. is the top-ranked safety in the country (90.4) according to PFF. Linebacker Jake Golday (84.7), and DT Dontay Corleone are the highest rated players in the Big 12 for their positions.
Cincinnati ranks third in the Big 12 with 17 sacks, while the defense has allowed the fewest points in the Big 12 in conference games (71) and leads the league in scoring defense in conference-only games (17.75).
While this week presents a different challenge in terms of offensive style, for Cincinnati to win, the middle of the defense will have to continue to play at a high level.
"Lining up where you're supposed to line up, fitting where you're supposed to fit, playing downhill and playing physical football. That is what we needed in these last few games. We have a different challenge this week. We're talking about the guy spreading you out now, so it is going to loosen up your defense. Also, how we still can fit the run, because they will still run the ball, but how you fit the run is going to be incredibly important this week. Also, our alignment. How were we lining up? Where's our leverage in the secondary and our linebacker? That's going to be big this week.”
- Cincinnati ranks third in the Big 12 and 24th nationally in total offense (451.4) and keeps opposing defenses on the field longer than most, ranking second in the conference and 13th overall in time of possession (32:50).
With the return of offensive lineman Dartanyan Tinsley, the Bearcats' running backs were able to roll up 191 rushing yards in a 24-14 win over Arizona State last week.. Corey Kiner led the way with 102 yards on 22 carries.
The Bearcats will have to establish the run with Kiner and set the tone early.
"He'll be critical this week. This will be a game where they're playing a lot of the man coverage and stacking the box. He's going to have to break some tackles to get some big yards but, I think we're going to count on him to do that," Said Satterfield.
- Colorado's offense has scored on 23 of 28 trips inside the 20 this year, including 18 touchdowns. Defensively, they have allowed just 17 scores in 25 red zone situations, with just 13 touchdowns.
When it comes to third down conversions, Colorado is 42-for-95 (45 percent) while holding opponents to just 34 percent (34-for-99).
Cincinnati will have to continue to do a good job of limiting their opponent in the redzone, while also capitalizing on scoring opportunities. In both losses this season, Cincinnati missed a field goal attempt just before the half. The Bearcats have missed a field goal attempt in three consecutive weeks just before halftime.
- Quarterback Brendan Sorsby was recently named to both the Manning Award and Davey O'Brien Award mid-season watch lists but has thrown four interceptions over the last three weeks. For the Bearcats to win, they will have to win the turnover battle and have their QB1 play well in a tough environment.
"We're going to have to play disciplined football, and Colorado has done a good job of winning the turnover margin and we need to win the turnover margin" Satterfield said. "That's going to be critical and that comes down to quarterback play a lot of times, and Brendan [Sorsby] has played in big games before and has come through. I have a lot of confidence in him, but I do believe he is surrounded by a bunch of really good players that have a lot of good confidence as well. So, I think when you put all that together, it gives us a great chance to win the game.”
Final Thoughts
It's parents' weekend for a game that has been sold out since Big 12 Media Days in July.
Primetime, nationally televised game against an opponent that has legit star power.
6.5 point underdogs on the road.
The game is the third most expensive ticket in college football this week, with an average selling point at $134.
If you're a Cincinnati fan, player, or coach, these are the easiest types of games to get up for.
The Bearcats will kickoff against Colorado Saturday at 10:15 pm on ESPN.
Final Quotes:
"This is what we've all signed up for, to go to the Big 12, to be able to play for games like this, and championship level games that are going to be on national TV. I know it's late on the east coast, but everybody will be watching. I think it's going to be everything we all thought it was going to be, being in the Big 12. We're excited about this opportunity.” - Scott Satterfield
“They're always fun to play in. Texas Tech was another great experience as well. So obviously we've had a little bit of experience playing in one, but the night games are a blast. So, we're all excited to go there. It'll be a fun environment.” - Quarterback Brendan Sorsby