Breakdown of the Fresno State Bulldogs and Colorado Buffaloes.

Breakdown: Bulldogs

Fresno State (1-1) coming off a tough loss to fourth-ranked Oregon will look to rebound against Colorado.

However, the Buffaloes (0-2) will look to thwart the ’Dogs and pick up their first win of the season. The Buffaloes have their chance playing against Fresno State in Bulldog Stadium on Saturday.

The ’Dogs will bring an up-tempo offense into the game. They also will run multiple attacking schemes aimed to bewilder the Buffaloes defense. Running back Robbie Rouse is looking to attain the all-time rushing record, held by Ron Rivers. Quarterback Derek Carr should also see a lot of action, especially trying to fuel the Bulldogs’ air attack.

On Fresno State defense, strong safety Phillip Thomas, outside linebacker Shawn Plummer, and others seek to apply pressure to Colorado’s offense.

The Bulldogs will try to use the momentum they gained last week when they forced three turnovers against Oregon.

If the ’Dogs hope to defeat Colorado, they’ll need their Rouse, Carr, and the wide receiving corps to play well for a full four quarters. In addition, if Rouse gets going and goes for the rushing record early in the game, this would increase Fresno State’s chances for victory. Defensively, the ’Dogs will not only need Thomas and Plummer to be aggressive, but also the extra help of outside linebacker Tristan Okpalaugo.

Breakdown: Buffaloes

Falling to Sacramento State 30-28, Colorado (0-2) looks to get into the win column for the first time this season.

A former Pac-12 Conference powerhouse, Colorado lost many of its veteran players due to graduation. The Buffaloes returned only eight seniors for the 2012 team. They were picked to finish sixth in the Pac-12.

At the skill positions, junior quarterback Jordan Webb looks to spark the offense for the Buffaloes. Completing 34 of 65 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns this season, Webb is Colorado’s go-to offensive weapon. Complementing Webb is freshman fullback-turned-running back Christian Powell, who has rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

In the wide-receiver corps, the Buffaloes have a plethora of options. Colorado has passed the ball to six different players with 20 or more yards in the first two games.

The Buffaloes lack true veteran leadership on defense. Four starting players are in their freshman year. This could present Colorado with problems, as the defense will look for not only talent, but also inspiration to help it win this Saturday.

Jon Embree, now in his second term at Colorado as head coach, looks at his inexperienced team and sees talented players capable of winning a conference title. However, Embree and the Buffaloes will have to dig themselves out of a hole by winning on the road against a tough team in Fresno State.