Sacramento State @ Colorado preview

Colorado will try to put its season-opening 22-17 loss to arch-rival Colorado State behind it when it hosts Sacramento State on Saturday. While the Buffaloes are in no position to take anyone lightly, they should be extra careful with the Hornets, who won at Oregon State 29-28 in 2011 en route to a 4-7 season. One of Colorado's biggest problems continues to be the running game, which mustered only 58 yards against Colorado State. The Buffaloes averaged 108.7 yards rushing last season, 106th of 120 in the FBS. The Buffaloes, though, may have found a go-to receiver in redshirt freshman Nelson Spruce, who caught eight passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in his first game. Sacramento State lost its opener 49-19 at New Mexico State.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network LINE: None

ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE (0-1): The Hornets, an FCS team which plays in the Big Sky Conference, trailed only 28-19 to the Aggies before being outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Safron was 23-of-35 for 308 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but the running game mustered only 89 yards, including 47 on 16 carries by Ezekiel Graham. Sacramento State recorded four sacks against New Mexico State despite the graduation of school all-time sacks leader Zack Nash. The Hornets were picked to finish ninth in the 13-team Big Sky in the preseason coaches poll and 10th by the writers. This will be the first time Sacramento State plays FBS teams in consecutive weeks.

ABOUT COLORADO (0-1): Buffaloes quarterback Jordan Webb, a transfer from Kansas, showed he can help Colorado win games this season - if he stays on his feet. Webb was 22-of-41 passing for 187 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked five times and played through a sore hip. He completed 12 of 14 passes at one point in the first half. When Colorado State realized Colorado could not run the ball, it blitzed Webb heavily in the second half, leading to a 7-of-18 performance for 52 yards. Senior free safety Ray Polk injured his ankle last week and will miss the game. The Buffaloes used 11 freshmen (two redshirt) against Colorado State and didn't have a senior on their offensive line for only the fifth time in the last 31 seasons. The Buffaloes last played an FCS opponent in 2008, when they survived a scare from Eastern Washington, 31-24 in Boulder.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Colorado sophomore CB Greg Henderson (sprained ankle) is questionable. If he cannot go, Yuri Wright will start opposite Kenneth Crawley, which would be the first time the Buffaloes start two true freshmen at cornerback.

2. The Buffaloes have allowed at least one touchdown pass in 25 straight games, a school record.

3. Spruce tied a record for most receptions by a Colorado player in his first game.

PREDICTION: Colorado 31, Sacramento State 27