Although the Colorado Buffaloes had a dream season last year, not many expected them to repeat that feat in 2017. Colorado had a big shakeup in its coaching staff and star quarterback Sefo Liufau was no longer in Boulder. However, the Buffaloes have gotten off to another good start and might be able to yet again contend for a Pac 12 title. This team will face their first test on Saturday night when the Washington Huskies come to town.
This contest in Week 4 of the regular season will go down Saturday, September 23, 2017, at 10
p.m. ET at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. This game will be broadcast on FS1.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Washington -10.5
Colorado +10.5
Over/Under 51.5
Odds Analysis
Washington has looked good so far this season. The Huskies are off to a 3-0 start and the offense is firing on all cylinders. Although Washington hasn’t played a team better than Rutgers so far, it has taken care of business on the scoreboard. The betting line is a different story though as the Huskies have covered just once in their three games. Both of their last two games have gone over the total.
The Buffaloes won the most important game of their non-conference schedule when they beat Colorado State and everything after that was just gravy. The defense has looked really good so far, giving up just nine points per game, with most of those coming against Northern Colorado. The offense has done its job too under new quarterback Steven Montez.
Last Meeting
These teams squared off in the Pac 12 Championship last year and Washington dominated the Buffs. Colorado kept it close for a half, but Washington pulled away in the second, capitalizing on turnovers and an inability to move the ball for the Buffaloes.
Jake Browning wasn’t great in that game though. He went just 9-24 for 118 yards and threw two touchdowns. Looking at his stat line, you wouldn’t assume that a quarterback with those numbers won, but that’s what happened when you have a great defense behind you.
Washington held Colorado to just 163 total yards of offense and forced three Liufau interceptions on the evening. It was an awful performance from the Buffs and one they will look to improve on this time around.
Player to Watch
Dante Pettis is incredible. Washington’s best playmaker has returned a punt for a touchdown in three straight games now and will look to make it four in a row this week. That would set the NCAA record and it is a mark he is gunning for.
Pettis isn’t just a special teams ace either. He is the team’s leading receiver through three games with 209 yards and three touchdowns to his name. Last season, he was a red zone juggernaut, catching 15 touchdown passes on the season despite hauling in 53 receptions and that looks to be happening yet again. Washington caught a big break when Pettis decided to return for his senior campaign and he has been making the most of it.
Free ATS Pick
It’s hard to feel confident about your opinion in either one of these teams. Both have looked good, but neither side has really played a quality opponent to this point.
Oddsmakers are calling for a low scoring game because of the quality of defenses involved and that seems about right. It’s hard to imagine both teams getting into the 30s and under is probably a very good bet in this one.
As for a side, you have to go with the Huskies here. This team creamed the Buffaloes in a neutral site game last season and Colorado lost a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Washington still has its three best offensive players and that will make a world of difference.
College Football Odds: Huskies 28, Buffaloes 16
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