Colorado’s season is already on shaky ground with a 3-5 record, and injuries are piling on the pressure. The Buffs entered their matchup with Iowa State as the Big 12’s most injured team, sidelining 17 players, and the list isn’t shrinking anytime soon. The Wildcats have only OL Jordan Brown listed on their injury report ahead of the Arizona game. On the other hand, Colorado’s list includes several key contributors, with a glaring total of 20 players.

The Buffs have seven players out, five questionable, two doubtful, and six probable. Those sidelined for the game against the Wildcats are WR Hykeem Williams, CB Makari Vickers, OLs Xavier Hill and Walker Andersen, DE Alexander McPherson, and DT Christian Hudson. And then there’s RB Simeon Price with 21 carries for 143 yards, who has already missed a few weeks because of injury and will miss another game. Making matters worse, DTs Amari McNeill and Tawfiq Thomas are listed as doubtful.

Although Colorado fell to Houston, Tawfiq Thomas had his most productive game, recording two solo tackles. Now, his absence against Arizona looms even larger, especially with CBs Teon Parks having 11 tackles and RJ Johnson with eight being listed as questionable. The Buffs’ injury struggles also continue in the receiving corps, with WRs Sincere Brown and Isaiah Hardge all questionable. Plus, with CB Braden Keith’s questionable status, Colorado’s depth is down to bare bones.

Still, there’s a sliver of hope for Colorado. Safety Carter Stoutmire, OL Larry Johnson III, and Yahya Attia, ILB Jeremiah Brown, TE Zach Atkins, and DE Brandon Davis-Swain could make an impact. And that could give the Buffs a fighting chance against Arizona. But Colorado already has a glaring weakness. Their rushing attack has been low in numbers. Still, this matchup could be a harsh test.

Injuries won’t keep Coach Prime and Colorado down!

Arizona will have its hands full against Deion Sanders’ Colorado ground game, even though the Buffs have struggled at times this season. Averaging just 130.1 rushing yards per game, Colorado’s numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Buffs have flashed explosiveness, gaining over 4.0 yards per carry in four games. Injuries may leave holes in the lineup, but the Buffaloes’ potential to strike on the ground makes them a threat Arizona can’t overlook.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s run defense has shown cracks in recent weeks. The Wildcats gave up 490 rushing yards over their last two games, struggling to contain scrambling QBs and versatile RBs. Houston’s Dean Connors and BYU’s L.J. Martin posted career-high rushing numbers against them.

Despite a convincing performance against Iowa State, which yielded only 111 yards on the ground, the Wildcats remain vulnerable to mobile quarterbacks and dynamic rushers. That’s why DC Danny Gonzales summed it up bluntly, stating, “It haunts me.”

With seven players out and several key contributors questionable, Colorado’s ground game could strike against Arizona, as the Buffs’ ability to run in wins shows potential. How Arizona handles the Colorado rushing attack and whether the Buffs can overcome their glaring injury report could decide the outcome of Saturday night’s clash.