Pac-12 Championship Game: 5 reasons Colorado beats Washington

The Colorado Buffaloes will take on the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Here are five reasons why they will win.

The Colorado Buffaloes have been the Cinderella story of the Pac-12 season, going from worst to first in the South Division. Led by a tough as nails senior quarterback, the Buffaloes have had a seven-win turnaround in league play, and have washed away the notion that they are the laughingstock of the conference. They will take on an unbelievably talented Washington squad in the title game on Friday night, as the Huskies will look to keep their spot in the College Football Playoff.

Here are the five reasons why the Buffaloes will pull off the upset on Friday night.

5. The Buffaloes are stout inside the red zone

The Washington Huskies have had no problems moving the ball on offense this season, as quarterback Jake Browning was recently named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Pac-12. While they have had an easy job scoring from outside the 20, once they get into the red zone, they have been almost automatic. Between the running of Myles Gaskin and the big play ability of their talented receivers, a touchdown is a near certainty once they break the 20.

Colorado, on the other hand, is one of the best teams in the country at limiting the damage once the team gets down around the goal line. They are the fourth-ranked team in the country in red zone defense, allowing only 17 touchdowns in 36 trips inside the 20. They will need to show the same kind of efficiency on Friday night, as the Huskies will definitely have their shots close to their goal line.

Stopping a team like the Huskies is going to be tough, as Browning and receivers Dante Pettis and John Ross are arguably the best in the country. The Buffaloes have to install a bend but not break attitude, and if they hold the Huskies to field goals, they should be able to hang in there for four quarters. Colorado is definitely talented enough to pull out the victory Friday, but they will have no shot if the Huskies cash in near the goal line every time.

This is a matchup that is certain to draw eyes, as the Huskies are the best in the conference in scoring once they get inside the 20. Colorado is going to come into this game with that underdog mentality, and that should heighten with their backs against the wall. If they can disrupt the Huskies inside the red zone early, it could go a long way with messing with Browning’s confidence.