A couple of schools with very different run-pass ratios, the Buffaloes of Colorado (+6) are gearing up to welcome their in-conference rival No. 10 Washington State Cougars (-6) to Folsom Field. This crucial daytime game will get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Washington State Cougars at Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 6 points in this Saturday Pac-12 matchup. The Cougars are also receiving -240 moneyline odds while the Buffaloes are +190. If one side can find paydirt early it will result in a decent betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 61 points.
Early action has leaned toward the Cougars, as the opening line was 4. The game’s O/U hasn’t changed after it was initially established at 61.
Each of these teams has posted a good return this season 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 losing skid while Colorado has won zero in a row. The Cougars are coming off a 19-13 victory over California last weekTheir defense allowed the Golden Bears to rush for 112 yards on 36 attempts. Patrick Laird had a good day for the Golden Bears in that one with 40 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Offensively, Gardner Minshew II completed 35-of-51 passes for 334 yards, along with one score and a pick. Max Borghi (33 rushing yards on six attempts, one TD) led the ground attack while Williams (10 receptions, 59 yards) and Easop Winston Jr. (seven catches, 92 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Colorado just lost a 42-34 game to Arizona. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Wildcats to pass for 350 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 216 yards. J.J. Taylor had a solid showing for Arizona, posting 192 rushing yards on 40 attempts. 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) handled the running game as Juwann Winfree (eight receptions, 101 yards) and Jaylon Jackson (six catches, 25 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Washington State’s 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 produced 71.8 rush yards/game (including 67.7 per game versus Pac-12 opponents) and have 16 scores on the ground this year. The Buffaloes are totaling 162.1 rushing yards per game (141.0 in conference) and have 18 total rush TDs.
The Cougars offense has averaged a ridiculous 397.4 yards through the air overall (385.7 per game against conference opposition) and has 28 passing TDs so far. The Buffaloes have produced 271.2 pass yards per game (262 in the Pac-12) and have 17 total pass scores.
Washington State seems to have an edge in both defensive facets. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 131.0 yards and throw for 194.4 yards per game. The Colorado defense 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 opponents, while the Buffaloes have allowed a 6.09 ANY/A.
Offensively, Minshew II is already up to 3,079 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 289-of-415 attempts with 24 scores through the air and only seven interceptions. Minshew II has 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 lately.
In the other locker room, Steven Montez has completed 185-of-270 passes for 2,077 yards, 15 TDs and five INTs. Montez’s ANY/A stands 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 this season), K.D. Nixon (371 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Juwann Winfree (156 receiving yards, one receiving TD) have combined to account for 627 total yards and five touchdowns the last two games.
These two squads met a year ago with the final outcome being a 28-0 win for Washington State.
Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Betting Pick
SU Winner: Washington State, ATS Winner: Washington State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Washington State D has 27 sacks on the year while Colorado has 25.
- Colorado has lost two fumbles this season while Washington State has let three get away.
- The Cougars offense has registered 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 or more yards, while the Buffaloes have given up 11 such runs.
- The O/U for Colorado’s previous match was 56.5. The over cashed in the 42-34 defeat to Arizona.
- Over its last three contests, Colorado is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three games, Washington State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Washington State’s last game going into it was 52. The under cashed in the team’s 19-13 win over California.
- Washington State, as a team, has averaged 3.7 yards per carry across its last three contests and 4.1 over its last two.
- Colorado has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.8 over its past two.
