5 Utah players who could give Deion Sanders hard time in Colorado's Week 12 clash ft. Van Fillinger
As Coach Prime's Colorado Buffaloes contend for the Big 12 and a College Football Playoff berth, trouble could still lurk.
Colorado (7-2, 5-1 in Big 12) is a 10-point favorite ahead of them hosting a struggling Utah (4-5, 1-5) team at Folsom Field. The Utes were expected to compete for the league and playoff bids but have been injured and ineffective.
But here are five players who could still make Utah dangerous for the Buffs.
5 Utah players who could give Colorado trouble in Week 12
5. Dorian Singer, WR
Singer is a multi-transfer who has played at Arizona and USC. But he is finally getting time at Utah, and the QB injury issues haven't slowed him. Singer has 44 receptions for 616 yards. With red-zone favorite Brant Kuithe now out for the remainder of the year, Singer will be even more important than usual against Colorado.
4. Brandon Rose, QB
Rose is the third starter at QB for the Utes this season. Oft-injured Cam Rising has missed most of the season, and backup Isaac Wilson has had injury and consistency issues. Rose nearly engineered an upset of BYU. He is an average passer but had seven rushes for 55 yards against the Cougars. Brandon Rose is a dual-threat QB who could give Colorado fits.
3. Spencer Fano, OT
Colorado's defense is much improved, but they sometimes struggle when the Buffs can't create havoc. Fano is a brilliant 6-foot-5 sophomore, and he's been among the most effective linemen in the nation. If Fano and his fellow big men in the trenches can protect Rose and give Utah time to explore the fundamentals of the Colorado back seven, the Utes might fare well in Boulder.
2. Micah Bernard, RB
A steady veteran presence, the senior Bernard has survived the outbreak of injuries to post a fine senior season. With 860 rushing yards, Bernard is hitting for an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. He holds the sixth place in the Big 12 in rushing yards.
Bernard isn't a tremendous goal-line back, but he can help the Utes grind out first downs and take control of the game in the trenches. Utah probably needs a time-of-possession edge to have a good shot, and Bernard might be the key.
1. Van Fillinger, DE
Fillinger has been a solid pass-rush threat for the Utes this season. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, he has the bulk to work around tight ends and the speed to outrush linemen. Fillinger has 37 tackles this season, including a team-high eight tackles for loss and six sacks.
Fillinger is a versatile player who has broken up five passes and blocked a kick. Throwing the Colorado offense off-track is probably the best path to challenging the Buffs, and Fillinger is the man for that job.
Which Utah players should Colorado watch for? Share your ideas below in our comments section!