One can very reasonably make the argument that the winner of Saturday’s USC-Colorado game is the team which wins the first quarter.
Colorado is not expected to win, but if the Buffaloes are to pull the upset, they will need a fast start. USC could be thrown off balance by the early kickoff in Boulder. The Trojans are definitely not used to playing a live game at 9 a.m. Pacific time. The game will start just after 10 a.m. local time in Boulder. Maybe USC will stumble in the first three to four minutes and Colorado will grab a 7-0 lead which might then become 10-0 or 14-0. Then USC will have to fight an uphill battle. The crowd will become more involved. The game could slide away from the Trojans and become a nightmare in the late-morning hours.
On the other hand, if USC gets a quick 14-0 lead, Colorado will have no choice but to throw the ball on nearly every down. The USC pass rush can get after Shedeur Sanders, and the game could easily snowball on the Buffaloes. Caleb Williams can land an early knockout punch, and the day will have minimal drama.
The first quarter might matter more than the fourth quarter in shaping the outcome of this game.
Follow Buffaloes Wire for complete coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado, as CU prepares to play USC on Fox Big Noon Saturday.
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