Colorado’s 2023 season finale at Utah was initially supposed to be a showdown between two of the Pac-12’s best quarterbacks, Sheduer Sanders and Cam Rising. But with Rising officially out for the year and Sanders battling injuries, we could now be in for a battle of the backup quarterbacks.
Reports emerged on Friday that Utah is expected to start walk-on Luke Bottari while Colorado will likely run out freshman Ryan Staub if Sanders can’t go.
CU featured the run plenty last week after Staub entered in relief of Sanders. If Staub starts, it will be up to him and the Buffs’ running game to put up points against a tough Utes defense. Because Colorado has struggled both offensively and defensively in the run game, I don’t see the Buffs coming away with the victory.
Colorado will put up a fight but I see Utah pulling away late. My final score prediction is Utah 24, CU 14.
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