Two PAC-12 giants will duke it out in Mile High country when the sixth-ranked Washington Huskies and the Colorado Buffaloes meet up on Saturday evening. The inner-conference battle is set to go off on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:00 p.m. EST. The game can also be watched on the Fox Sports 1 and the FOX Sports Go Networks. Heading into this game, the Huskies are a decisive -11.5 point favorite and the contest’s total sits at 50.
The Washington Huskies remained undefeated by stomping Fresno State to the tune of 48-16 at home last Saturday. To be honest, this game wasn’t even close. In fact, the match-up was wrapped up by the end of the first half.
The Colorado Buffaloes also maintained their perfect record with a 41-21 home win over Northern Colorado Saturday. In that game, the Buffaloes ran for well over 200 yards and passed for more than 350. Against one another, Washington leads the all-time series 9-5-1 with seven straight wins. That also includes a 41-10 tromping in last year’s PAC-12 title game in early December.
(6) Washington Huskies (3-0)
The Huskies got their non-conference games out of the way early and are ramped up for the start of PAC-12 play. against the Bulldogs, Washington jumped to a 27-0 lead after the first quarter and that was all she wrote for this one.
Quarterback Jake Browning is at it again in 2017. After a slow start in week one at Rutgers, he has rebounded nicely. Over three games, he has hit 58 of 78 passes for 798 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception. The solid athlete has also added another 30 plus yards and a score with his feet.
Running back Myles Gaskin isn’t exactly lighting it up in 2017. But still, he is the Huskies leading ground gainer with 24 carries for 153 yards and three scores. A big reason why is that Washington is bringing two young backs along for the ride. Tailbacks Lavon Coleman and Salvon Ahmed have combined for almost 150 yards with two more scores.
Wide receiver Dante Pettis is the Huskies Swiss Army knife. Not only has the explosive athlete caught 12 balls for 209 yards with three scores, but is deadly in the return game. Already, Pettis leads the nation with three punt returns for touchdowns. Eventually, you would think teams would wise up and not kick this kid the ball.
Jake Browning is not afraid to find any open man when he drops back to throw. In fact, six Washington wideouts have caught at least six passes totaling over 425 yards and four more touchdown tosses.
The potent Husky defense is having their way against opposing offenses so far this season. The front seven is ranked 21st in the country, allowing only 93 yards per game. The secondary is also formidable, ranking 33rd yielding only 188 passing yards per game. Overall, Washington is 14th in the nation, giving way to only 261 yards per match.
Colorado Buffaloes (3-0)
The Buffaloes had their struggles against Northern Colorado but managed to pick up the win and remain unbeaten. Colorado turned the ball over three times in the contest and forced a pair of turnovers themselves. Apparently, the miscues didn’t affect them all that much. Then again, that was the FCS’s Northern Colorado, not the Washington Huskies.
The Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez has also started off the year quite nicely. In all, he has completed 69 of 101 passes for 858 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Like Jake Browning, he too has added 56 yards and a score on the ground.
Running back Phillip Lindsay is the Buffaloes answer out of the back field. In 2017, he has run the ball 71 times for 378 yards and three scores. Realistically, he is the only tail back that contributes on a week to week basis. Still, he compliments the passing game and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Shay Fields is off to a steady start to his 2017 campaign. The shifty wide receiver has reeled in 19 balls for 257 yards and two scores. His teammate Bryce Bobo leads the team with 21 catches and has added another 231 yards and a score to the fold. Let’s also not forget about their fastest receiver Devin Ross. So far, he has 14 catches for over 200 yards and another touchdown.
Defensively, Colorado is holding their opponents to an average of 9 points per game and 337 yards per contest. More importantly, the Buffaloes forced 7 turnovers on the season and have an overall turnover margin of plus two. Obviously, they need to create some turnovers against the highly favored Huskies if they hope to come away with the victory in this game.
Prediction
Washington had very little problems manhandling their non-conference foes. Although, playing the PAC-12 conference will not be nearly as easy. The Huskies have a trio of good running backs and will look to keep the Buffaloes wideouts on the sideline. Remember, a lot of these players that completely demolished Colorado in the PAC-12 title game are back for some more.
Colorado has to cut down on their turnovers as teams in the PAC-12 will cash in on those miscues. Certainly, the three last week against an FCS opponent has to be a concern. With that being said, the Buffaloes are not afraid to throw the ball down the field and take some chances against Washington.
It will be interesting to see which one of the two scenarios play out in this one. Either the Huskies will come in with confidence and create some turnovers on their way to victory or the Buffaloes will be battling to last minute for some revenge. Actually, I think that this game will be somewhere in the middle.
Las Vegas has this total at 50 and I believe there is too much offensive talent for that under to hit. Give me the over. Another reason I like the over is I believe the Buffaloes will keep this game closer than people think playing at home.
I personally like Colorado to shore up their play and keep this ballgame close. So, the +11.5 is completely playable if you ask me. Take the Colorado Buffaloes to cover the points and in doing so, they help push the over in some great fourth quarter football in Boulder.
Trends
The Huskies are 4-1 all-time in Boulder, Colorado.
The Huskies are 19-9 ATS in their last 28 games after an ATS loss.
The Under is 3-0-1 in the Huskies last four conference games.
The Over is 6-2-1 in the Huskies last nine road games.
The Buffaloes are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
The Buffaloes are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games.
The Huskies are 7-0 ATS in their last seven meetings.
