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UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Colorado Buffaloes

By Muna Osisioma

BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Mike MacIntyre of the Colorado Buffaloes works on the sideline during a game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the California Golden Bears at Folsom Field on October 28, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Mike MacIntyre of the Colorado Buffaloes works on the sideline during a game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the California Golden Bears at Folsom Field on October 28, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Drew Lewis
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Drew Lewis /

Colorado Defense

The biggest culprit for Colorado’s drop from first to last in 2017 was the performance of the defense. The Buffaloes had to replace eight players on that side of the ball including three defensive backs. In addition, the group was adjusting to a new defensive coordinator. All of this proved to be a tall task and the unit never found its footing. This was most apparent in their performance against the run. Colorado allowed teams to rush for an average of 208.3 yards per game.

Colorado’s strength on this side of the ball will be at linebacker. Drew Lewis and Rick Gamboa return for their senior years. Both players led the Buffaloes in tackles from their inside linebacker spots in 2017. Lewis racked up 94 tackles and Gamboa contributed 90 tackles. With one year in Colorado’s 3-4 defensive system under their belts, both players will be comfortable and play even faster. Against UCLA, they will be going against inexperienced quarterback Devon Modster or true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Colorado coaching staff will likely disguise coverages to take advantage of this inexperience. Lewis and Gamboa will be in the middle of all of it.

Colorado 2017 Defensive Stats

Total Defense Passing Defense Rushing Defense Scoring Defense
 450.8 (8th)  242.6 (9th) 208.3 (10th) 28.2 (6th)

( ) – denotes ranking in the TEAM CONFERENCE

For the first time in three years, Colorado’s secondary will not be their biggest strength on defense. Talented cornerback Isaiah Oliver was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the NFL draft. Redshirt sophomore Trey Udoffia will be stepping into his spot. Whether he is ready for this role remains to be seen. Sophomore Dante Wigley will man the other corner spot but is a smaller corner. Safety Evan Worthington is talented though and plays both the run and pass very well. It will be interesting to see whether Chip Kelly creates a game plan to take advantage through the air or whether UCLA football focuses on running the ball in this matchup.