Colorado's defense approaching elite status

The rise is certainly real in Colorado, where the Buffaloes have secured bowl game eligibility for the first time since 2007 with their sixth win of the season. Colorado is once again ranked in the national polls, this time at No. 23, while they chase a Pac-12 Championship. This surge in success can largely be attributed to what it happening with the defensive unit in Colorado, where playmakers have emerged left and right.

While the Buffs’ high-powered offense has made headlines this season in blowout victories, this week it was the defense that turned the tide of Saturday’s game against Stanford, and more than once. As Colorado’s field goal unit failed not once, but three times to extend the Buffs’ lead, the pressure fell on the defense to contain the Cardinal and to give Sefo Liufau and Company another shot at points.

Colorado’s special teams’ issues kept the score of the game tight throughout, as did a controversial offensive pass interference call on a pick play that negated a Buffs’ touchdown. Both the Cardinal and Buffaloes had drives stall repeatedly, failed red zone conversions and quarterbacks held under 175 passing yards. The real difference of performance this weekend lay with the defense.

Both defensive units managed to get pressure on the quarterback on Saturday. But in two completely different statistical stories, Colorado nabbed three interceptions, notched two more pass breakups and jumped on a fumble, while Stanford was unable to force a turnover on the Buffs. These big plays by the defense would be the most significant difference for the momentum that Colorado held throughout the game.

Colorado ranks seventh in the nation in defensive pass efficiency, thanks largely to an immensely talented secondary. Defensive back Chidobe Awuzie batted down two passes against the Cardinal this weekend, while fellow defensive back Tedric Thompson hauled in two crucial interceptions. The first Thompson interception came in the final seconds of the second quarter, holding Stanford out of the Buffs’ end zone to conclude the first half.

INTERCEPTION | Thompson with the pick. Buffs up 7-3 with 9 seconds left in first half #TheRise #beatStanford https://t.co/i29yQtqNop

— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) October 22, 2016

With Stanford inside Colorado’s five-yard line, the defense would make possibly the most important stand of the game, as a Cardinal fumble was recovered by linebacker Kenneth Olugbode. This momentous turnover kept Stanford out of Colorado’s end zone, potentially turning the tide of the entire matchup. Any points scored on that drive by Stanford could have given them a shot at a hearty win.

TURNOVER | Fumble recovered by Olugbode Buffs get the ball back with 10:34 left still up 7-3 #beatStanford #TheRise https://t.co/ARf9FDA6Mk

— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) October 22, 2016

Moments later, Thompson had an exceptional read on a play and picked off Stanford quarterback Ryan Hurns. His second interception of the night was returned to the Stanford 20 yard line, setting the Buffs up for a field goal and their final points of the day. The Colorado secondary once again cut a Stanford drive short and handed the Buffs’ offense exceptional field position.

INTERCEPTION | Thompson with another pick and the offense gets the ball back with 6:23 left #TheRise #beatStanford https://t.co/r3o5hwYgzn

— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) October 22, 2016

But the battle was far from over. As the fourth quarter neared conclusion, Stanford drove once again towards the Buffs’ end zone. Just as they had all game, the Colorado secondary came up big. Defensive back Isaiah Oliver snagged an interception on an attempted deep pass by Hurns. Colorado secured the turnover, the victory and their bowl berth with a minute and change left on the clock.

INTERCEPTION | Oliver gets the pick to give the Buffs the ball back with 1:37 left, up 10-3 #TheRise #beatStanford https://t.co/7X6vJaKiCE

— Colorado Buffaloes (@cubuffs) livctober 22, 2016

Colorado certainly boasts a bevy of explosive offensive weapons, capable of amassing yardage and scoring big points. But what makes them truly dangerous and what has helped gain them their first bowl berth in nine years with the possibility of Pac-12 Championship push, is their high-powered defense. The Buffs own a secondary that has helped propel them to the thirteenth overall ranked defense and a defensive line that is capable of forcing turnovers and pressuring opposing quarterbacks. In moments of ineptitude from the offensive and special teams, the defense has stepped up in a big way, making plays and keeping Colorado aloft.