University of Colorado Athletics

COLORADO BUFFALOES (5-2, 3-1 Big 12)

vs. CINCINNATI BEARCATS (5-2, 3-1)

BOULDER – When the Big 12 media preseason poll came out last August, this game wasn’t supposed to mean much.

Colorado was picked to finish 11th in the league; Cincinnati 14th.

But surprise, surprise: With five games left in the regular season, the two teams are among four tied for third in the Big 12 race, just one game behind co-leaders Iowa State and BYU.

Thus, there will be plenty at stake Saturday night at Folsom Field in front of a national television audience. 

The winner will become bowl eligible and remain very much in contention for a berth in the Big 12 title game and the College Football Playoff bid that goes to the winner.

The loser will have to wait at least another week to clinch bowl eligibility while also needing all kinds of help to get back in contention for a conference title game appearance.

The nuts and bolts:

KICKOFF:  8:25 p.m. (MT), Folsom Field (50,183).

TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by ESPN with Mark Jones and Roddy Jones in the booth and Quint Kessenich on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried on the Colorado Football Radio Network with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines. Radio coverage begins at 6 p.m.

ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.

THE COACHES: College football and NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is in his second year at Colorado, where he has a  9-10 record. Prior to coming to CU, he coached three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Scott Satterfield is 8-11 in his second year at Cincinnati and 84-59 overall as a college head coach, with previous stops at Appalachian State and Louisville.

THE SERIES: This is just the second all-time meeting between the two programs. Colorado beat Cincinnati in Boulder, 56-14, in 1972.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner remains squarely in contention for a Big 12 title game berth while also becoming bowl eligible.

TEAM LEADERS:  Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders continues to be one of the most productive quarterbacks in the nation. Sanders leads the Big 12 in passer rating (161.56) and completion percentage (72.7) while throwing for 2,268 yards and 19 touchdowns so far. 

Sanders has a host of quality receivers, with six Buffs with double-digit receptions. Two-way star Travis Hunter leads Colorado with 51 catches for 604 yards and six touchdowns, followed by LaJohntay Wester (34-445, 7 touchdowns), Jimmy Horn Jr. (28-356, 1 touchdown) and Will Sheppard (26-384, 3 touchdowns).

Isaiah Augustave leads Colorado in rushing with 41 attempts for 180 yards and two scores.

Defensively, safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Nikhai Hill-Green each have 53 tackles. Silmon-Craig has four tackles for loss and a 95-yard fumble return for a score while Hill-Green has six tackles for loss, including two sacks. Preston Hodge, Colton Hood and Hunter each have two interceptions while Samuel Okunlola, BJ Green II and Taje McCoy each have three sacks.

For Cincinnati, quarterback Brendan Sorsby is No. 2 in the Big 12 in passer rating (152.08) while throwing for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns and also rushing for six scores. Running back Corey Kiner has rushed for 598 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Xzavier Henderson has 42 catches for 541 yards and four touchdowns.

Linebacker Jared Bartlett leads the Bearcats with 37 tackles, including 4.5 sacks. Linebacker Antwan Peek Jr. also has 37 stops while defensive end Eric Phillips has four sacks and nose tackle Dontay Corleone has three. Safety Josh Minkins leads UC with two interceptions.

KEY MATCHUP: Colorado’s front seven vs. Cincinnati run game. If the Buffs can contain the Bearcats on first and second down and force third-and-long situations, they can put pressure on Sorsby and force some three-and-outs. That will no doubt give a sold-out Folsom Field crowd some juice.  

UP NEXT:  The Buffs have next weekend off before returning to action Nov. 9 with a game at Texas Tech.