The undefeated Buffs open league play this Saturday (1:30PM mountain, ABC) against head coach Gary Barnett�s alma mater, Missouri (2-1, 0-0 Big XII). The Buffs have owned Mizzou over the last decade or so including last year�s upset of the then 22nd ranked Tigers 22-16. Both teams are coming off a bye week and will come out hard this weekend as it appears every league game will be huge in the wide open Big XII North division.
The Buffs biggest concern will be containing the Tigers QB Brad Smith. Last year CU did a great job of limiting the perennial Heisman candidate�s dual faceted attack. The focus on Saturday will be keeping Smith in the pocket and forcing him to make plays with his arm. Although CU�s run defense is only allowing an average of 105 yards a game while the pass defense isn�t fairing quite as well, Barnett feels Smith is less dangerous as a pocket passer than he is on the run. If the Buffs can indeed shut down Smith�s running game they will effectively shut down the Tiger�s rushing attack and be able to focus on getting a few INTs off Smith.
On the other side of the ball CU will be looking to continue getting the offensive timing down. QB Joel Klatt�s performance against N. Texas two weeks ago was, at times, awe inspiring. Klatt completed 26 of 33 passes including a run of 13 straight completions for a total of 371 yards, a mere 246 more yards than the entire offense gained against WSU the week before. Meanwhile, while Klatt and his jets continue to refine their game, RB Bobby Purify will continue to do what he does, punish defenses and score points. Look for another offensive shootout this weekend with a lot of big plays possible from these two teams.

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  2. Vickers 24 – Missouri 12
  3. Buffs Travel To Columbia To Face The Tigers