A couple of schools with noticeably different run-pass playing styles, the Colorado Buffaloes are getting six points as they prepare to host the No. 10 Washington State Cougars to Folsom Field. This pivotal conference game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action live on ESPN. These schools faced off last year with the final outcome being a 28-0 win for Washington State.
Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Betting Preview
Colorado is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 6 points in this Saturday Pac-12 game. The Cougars are also receiving -240 moneyline odds while the Buffaloes are +190. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 61 points. Should Washington State falls down early, it’ll likely result in a reasonable betting opportunity in-game.
The early action has moved in favor of the Cougars, as the line opened at 4. The game’s over/under hasn’t moved after it was initially posted at 61.
Each of these teams has been profitable this year as the Cougars have gained 5.2 units while the Buffaloes are up 1.4 units.
The Cougars have gone 8-1 straight up (SU), including 5-1 SU against conference opponents. The Buffaloes are 5-4 SU overall and 2-4 SU in conference play.
Washington State enters this matchup on a zero-game winless streak while Colorado has won each of its last zero. The Cougars continue to ride high after a 19-13 win over California last week. Gardner Minshew II completed 35 passes for 334 yards, along with a TD and an interception. Max Borghi (33 yards on six rush attempts, one TD) led the running attack while Williams (10 receptions, 59 yards) and Easop Winston Jr. (seven catches, 92 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Back on November 2, Arizona knocked off this Colorado team by a score of 42-34. The Buffaloes defense allowed the Wildcats to pass for 350 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 216 yards. J.J. Taylor put up a solid showing in the win, recording 192 rushing yards on 40 attempts for Arizona. For Colorado, Steven Montez completed 27-of-42 passes for 343 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Montez (-24 rushing yards on 16 attempts) and Travon McMillian (59 yards on 11 carries) mounted the running game while Juwann Winfree (eight receptions, 101 yards) and Jaylon Jackson (six catches, 25 yards) led the Colorado pass-catchers in the loss.
Washington State has run the ball on 27.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Colorado has a rush percentage of 53.2 percent. The Cougars have run for 72 yards/game (including 68 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 16 scores on the ground this year. The Buffaloes are putting up 162 rush yards per game (141 in conference) and have 18 total rushing TDs.
The Cougars offense has tallied a superb 397 yards per contest in the air overall (386 per game versus conference opposition) and has 28 passing scores so far. The Buffaloes have recorded 271 pass yards per game (262.0 in the Pac-12) and have 17 total pass TDs.
Washington State seems to possess an advantage in both defensive phases. The team’s allowed opponents to run for an average of 131 yards and pass for 194 yards per game. The Colorado D has allowed 237.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 150.2 yards per game on the ground. The Cougars are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.91 to opposing QBs, while the Buffaloes have allowed a 6.09 ANY/A.
Offensively, Minshew II has already put up 3,079 passing yards this year, and has connected on 70 percent of his 415 attempts with 24 passing scores and only seven interceptions. He’s got a 7.62 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.72 over the last two games.
James Williams (347 rushing yards, six rush TDs, 384 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns this season), Dezmon Patmon (494 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Jamire Calvin (293 receiving yards) have each played big roles of late.
In the home locker room, Steven Montez has completed 185-of-270 passes for 2,077 yards, 15 TDs and five INTs. Montez’s ANY/A sits at 6.94 for the year and 7.77 over his last two outings.
Travon McMillian (705 rushing yards, four rush TDs, 93 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown on the year), K.D. Nixon (371 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Juwann Winfree (156 receiving yards, one receiving TD) have combined for 627 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the past couple of games.
Free Prediction: Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes
SU Winner – Washington State, ATS Winner – Washington State, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
The O/U for Washington State’s previous game was set at 52. The under cashed in the team’s 19-13 win over California.
Washington State has produced 3.7 yards per carry across its past three contests and 4.1 over its last two.
Colorado has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 3.8 over its past two.
The Colorado offense has lost two fumbles this season while Washington State has lost three.
Over its last three matches, Washington State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Colorado’s previous outing was set at 56.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-34 defeat to Arizona.
Over its last three contests, Colorado is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Cougars offense has produced five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Buffaloes have put up 10 such plays.
The Washington State defense has allowed six pass plays of 40+ yards, while Colorado has given up eight such plays.
The Washington State offense has created two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Colorado has created 14 such runs.
The Cougars defense has allowed 14 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Buffaloes have given up 11 such runs.
The Washington State defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 27 times this season. Colorado has produced 25 sacks.
+++++
