Thomas cannot explain his affinity for animals, he's just drawn to them. Of course, some might suggest he has the spirit of an animal in the way he plays football and in the way he has become the leader of men.

The sight of an opposing player, in uniform, conferring with the buffalo would not have gone over so well.

Stanford's junior defensive lineman Solomon Thomas is such an animal lover that he requested a meeting with Ralphie, Colorado's mascot buffalo, before last year's game in Boulder. The request was respectfully denied.

The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after recording 12 tackles and forcing a fumble in last week's 17-10 victory over Notre Dame, Solomon Thomas hopes to carry the momentum into Saturday's noon game against the visiting Buffaloes, to be aired on the Pac-12 Networks. Photo by Bob Drebin/stanfordphoto.com

Colorado running back Phillip Lindsay Jr. is the reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 216 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 40-16 pasting of Arizona State.

It won't be easy. Colorado (5-2, 3-1) enters the game tied with Utah at the top of the South Division. Only Washington and Utah have a better overall mark than the Buffaloes and only the Huskies have scored more points.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Thomas said. “I did a great job of preparation, I was able to take advantage of film study and I tried to play with fantastic effort.”

The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after recording 12 tackles and forcing a fumble in last week's 17-10 victory over Notre Dame, Thomas hopes to carry the momentum into Saturday's noon game against the visiting Buffaloes, to be aired on the Pac-12 Networks.

Ryan Burns came to Stanford after running the option in high school. The Cardinal offensive philosophy must have seemed like gibberish the first time Burns tried to dissect it.

There's also a first-time starter at quarterback and new starters along the offensive line. It's not like Andrew Luck or Kevin Hogan is out there running the show like they have the previous seven years combined.

“In the last two games we have shot ourselves in the foot with fumbles, penalties and missed field goals,” Shaw said. “Those are things we don't do and we don't accept. When we are not doing things that hurt us, we've moved the ball pretty well.”

As prolific an offense that Colorado ha become, averaging 39 points, the Cardinal has gone in the other direction and currently lives in the basement, averaging 19 points a game.

Stanford ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in total defense but Colorado leads the conference. The Buffaloes also rank just ahead of the Cardinal in scoring defense, allowing 20 points a game.

“When he returned it, I knew we weren't going to allow them to score again,” Thomas said. “The defense always wants to score and always want to get takeaways. We harp on that every practice.”

Cornerback Elijah Holder is also questionable, though Quenton Meeks returned to action in a big way, returning an interception for a touchdown that permanently shifted momentum Stanford's way.

Christian McCaffrey remains a question mark with a lower body injury, though Bryce Love eased doubts after rushing for a career-high 130 yards and getting credit for a touchdown against the Irish that originally went to someone else.

Stanford will be without junior fullback Daniel Marx, one of the premiere blockers in the nation. He missed the final three games a year ago and has appeared in three games this season.

The Cardinal will likely be without right tackle David Bright, who left last week's game with an injury. Casey Tucker, an experienced lineman, will take his place.

“Sacks happen, guys get beat, the coverage is good,” Shaw said. “But you have to try to keep the quarterback in rhythm and give the pass rusher the long road to the quarterback.”

Burns played well enough for the Cardinal to beat USC at home and UCLA on the road. There's plenty of talent and smarts in his body to continue to move the team forward. It takes a little experience, a little patience and a lot of guidance.

Stanford football hopes to continue streak against Colorado