“Boulder is going to be absolutely postal,” Pac-12 Network’s Yogi Roth says ahead of one of the most surprising and now most highly anticipated matchups of the season as the No. 10 Colorado Buffaloes take on No. 22 Washington State Cougars on Saturday.

“One of the top offenses in the country with [quarterback] Luke Falk, [head coach] Mike Leech and Wazzu against one of the best defenses in the country – specifically, in their secondary. This one is going to be an absolute blast,” Roth says.

But it’s not just the CU defense against the WSU offense that has Roth excited.

“I cannot wait for this [Buffs] offense to get going, especially in the red zone,” Roth says. “Guys like Shay Fields, Bryce Bobo – the wide receivers of Colorado are absolute technicians. One of the most improved position groups in the entire conference this season. Shay Fields is a huge reason why. I think he’s going to have to make plays down the field against a very aggressive Wazzu secondary.”

Fields leads the Buffaloes with 710 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. But the Cougars shouldn’t sleep on Devin Ross, who has found the end zone five times this season. That doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park for Sefo Liufau and his receivers.

“It won’t be easy because this [WSU] secondary,” Roth says. “They love to play man-to-man coverage and they’ve got incredible anticipatory skills. [Safety] Shalom Luani, since he’s been back with this program from the onset of the season, he’s an absolute difference-maker. He can read quarterbacks. He understands timing and can drive on the ball. [He] makes it very difficult for opponents.”

Falk faces an even tougher task against a CU pass defense that is allowing only 176.3 yards per game, tenth-best in FBS.

“For Luke Falk, it’s going to be difficult for him as well,” Roth says. “Playing one of the most complete defenses he has seen all season long. They disguise – the Buffs do – as well as anybody in the conference. You think pressure is coming from one side, all of a sudden it’s coming from the other. And they play incredible man-to-man coverage. [The Buffs have] very long corners, love to get their hands on you. Isaiah Oliver, obviously Chidobe Awuzie, the variety of talented players in that secondary getting after it.”

The Buffs will certainly have their hands full with Falk, whose 3,610 passing yards this year are third in FBS.

“For Luke Falk, he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. Kind of a dark horse, rumor for the Heisman, right? Well, it’s not just because he can make seam throws. [He makes] full field reads … That’s a graduate level, beyond the Xs and Os,” says Roth.

It’s strength against strength in what will undoubtedly be a raucous environment in Boulder on Saturday. The Buffs and Cougars kick at 1:30 p.m.