Oregon Ducks (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) at Colorado Buffaloes (3-1 SU, 1-2 ATS)
College Week 5
Date and Time: October 3, 2015, 10:00 PM EST.
Where: Folsom Field, Boulder.
TV: ESPN
by Wilson, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: OU -7.5/CU +7.5
Over/Under Total: 71.5
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The Colorado Buffaloes host the Oregon Ducks this weekend in Boulder for a Pac 12 battle. Colorado comes into this game with a 3-1 record after losing their opening game at Hawaii 28-20. Since then, the Buffaloes have beaten the UMASS Minutemen 48-14, CSU Rams 27-24 in OT, and the Nicholls State Colonels 48-0. On the other side of this contest the Oregon Ducks have hit on hard times recently with the departure of their savior QB Marcus Mariota now playing in the NFL it has not been a smooth adjustment. Eastern Washington University Eagles transfer Vernon Adams Jr was supposed to be the solution to fill Mariotas absence but he has been anything but. Perhaps it was too big of a jump from little ole Big Sky to the Pac 12 and beyond? Especially this season when there are a lot of top 25 caliber teams within the Pac 12 conference.
Oregon opened at home with, ironically, a win over EWU (Vernon Adams old school) 61-42. Next they went on the road at then No. 5 Michigan State Spartans where they lost a close fought battle 31-28 but they have gone downhill ever since. Sure, they beat the Georgia State Panthers but my sons cross country team could beat them at football too, so the big confirmation came last weekend in front of a sold out Autzen Stadium in Eugene when the Utah Utes pounded the Ducks 62-20. It was brutal and the Ducks did not have an answer on either side of the ball.
Two things may occur this weekend in Boulder, one, the Ducks scramble around all week and figure out how to fix their sudden drop from the top 25 (first time since 2009 they havent been in the poll). Two, it is for real, the Ducks go down in a screamer at Folsom Field and further add to the Buffaloes rising confidence as a team that just might prove their program is back after a long hiatus.
Oregon is averaging 42.8 points per game to Colorados 38.5 ppg. However, the big difference between the two teams may be on defense. Colorado is allowing just 16.5 ppg to Oregons 40.8 ppgthis is very uncharacteristic of an Oregon team and this is the main concern surrounding this contestwill the Ducks be able to keep the Buffaloes at bay and out of the end zone? If the Ducks can allow a lower level team in EWU (even though they are decent) to come into Autzen and put up 42 points and then give up 62 to the Utes what will the Buffaloes do this week as they host Oregon? In the past the Ducks did not have to worry about allowing points because their offense would normally kick in gear and simply out score other teams but times are a changing folks and the Oregon Ducks reign might be over as we know it.
The Buffaloes are certainly not the same caliber of players as the Ducks but even prestigious programs take setbacks from time to time and this is definitely one of those years for Oregon. The line in Vegas keeps moving and it is leaning towards Colorados favor. Early this week the Vegas books had the line set at -12 Oregon but it has since moved all the to -7.5.
Oregon is facing a serious QB identity crisis right now and it will be interesting to see how they handle it this weekend on the road in Boulder, Colorado. The Buffaloes have the weapons to compete and or beat the Ducks if they play good football. I like the Buffaloes to make a statement this weekend in a home game where they are getting national attention (ESPN) and knock off the already fallen Ducks! Take Colorado in a home win for the ages 48-35. Luck to ya.
Wilson’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread:Colorado covers
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