Things can change fast in college football, and thereβs perhaps no better example of that than the Colorado Buffaloes.
Just consider their progression solely in games against the Wildcats since UA coach Rich Rodriguez was hired in 2012.
In 2012, KaβDeem Carey ran for 366 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-31 rout.
In 2013 Arizona pulled away with a 44-20 win, thanks to B.J. Denkerβs 192 rushing yards.
In 2014, Arizona led 21-17 at halftime before pulling out a 38-20 victory.
Last year, the Wildcats trailed into the fourth quarter before Jerrard Randall helped secure a 38-31 win.
In that stretch, Colorado had records of, in order, 1-11, 4-8. 2-10 and 4-9.
Things are different now, and the tables have turned β Colorado is 7-2 and the Pac-12 South favorite, Arizona is 2-7 and without a Pac-12 win.
βI do think our guys have been in that situation before,β said Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre, hired in 2013.
βThey understand everybodyβs going to show up to play. It doesnβt matter what everybody else says or what everyoneβs saying in the classroom. Theyβve been in that exact same situation. Hopefully they feed off that memory.β
To see just how far Colorado has come, hereβs a side-by-side look at how Coloradoβs stat leaders compare to Arizonaβs on offense this season, by position.
Passing:
Sefo Liufau (Colorado): 1,322 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT, 66.7 completion in seven games
Brandon Dawkins (Arizona): 1,055 yards, 6 TD, 5 INT, 54.7 completion percentage in seven games
Rushing:
Phillip Lindsay (Colorado): 818 yards, 5.7 yards per carry, 10 TD in 9 games
Dawkins (Arizona): 597 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, 8 TD
Nick Wilson (Arizona): 320 yards, 5.8 yards per carry, 3 TD in 5 games
Receiving:
Shay Fields (Colorado): 34 catches, 602 yards, 6 TD
Devin Ross (Colorado): 45 catches, 515 yards, 5 TD
ShunΒ Β Brown (Arizona): 25 catches, 406 yards, 3 TD
Trey Griffey (Arizona): 20 catches, 364 yards, 2 TD
