CU Buffs Prepare To Take On Arizona Wildcats

BOULDER, Colo. (AP)- The CU Buffs (2-7, 0-6 Pac-12) prepare to take on the Arizona Wildcats (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) on Thursday.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Colorado just wants a conference victory. The Buffaloes have lost five straight Pac-12 game since a nonconference win over Hawaii. Buffs took UCLA and California into double overtime. Arizona looks to stay in the Pac-12 South race after a costly loss last week at UCLA.

KEY MATCHUP

Arizona's running game vs. Colorado's rush defense. The Wildcats have easily won the past two meetings, running for 843 yards in those two games, including a Pac-12 record 366 by Ka'Deem Carey in 2012. UA's run game is sputtering, gaining less than 100 yards in two of the past three games. But can Colorado stop anyone? The Buffs allow 197.4 rushing yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado: WR Nelson Spruce had 10 catches last weekend against Washington for a school record 90 catches, most in all of major-college football. He's second in the conference in yards receiving with 1,002 and his 11 TDs rank second nationally. Last Saturday, he caught 13 passes for 138 yards, his fifth 100-yard game of the season.

Arizona: LB Scooby Wright. Wright has been a major problem for every Wildcat opponent. The sophomore was named Pac-12 defensive player of the week the last two weeks. In Saturday's loss to UCLA, Wright had 19 tackles, three sacks and 4½ tackles for loss. The previous week against Washington state, he had eight tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles. Wright leads the Pac-12 with 12.1 tackles per game.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Arizona has beaten Colorado in Tucson once in eight tries. That win came two years ago in Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez's first season. ... Colorado sophomore QB Sefo Liufau has thrown a TD pass in all 17 games he's started. ... Arizona ranks third in the country with 27.9 first downs per game. ... Arizona's 255 yards against UCLA was the fewest since Rodriguez became coach in 2012.