Washington Huskies at Colorado Buffaloes
Folsom Field – Boulder, Colorado
Saturday, November 1, 2014, 1:00 pm Eastern, TV: Pac 12 Network
Opening Line: Washington -6
Current Line: Washington -4
Opening Total: 61 1/2
Current Total: 58
Opening Money Line: Washington -185 / Colorado +160
Current Money Line: Washington -185 / Colorado +160
Both the 5-3 Washington Huskies and 2-6 Colorado Buffaloes try to snap losing streaks as they meet Saturday in Boulder. Washington started off the season 4-0 but have lost 3 of their last 4 games including 2 straight. Washington is 1-3 in Pac 12 play and tied for fourth with Oregon State in the Pac 12 North. Colorado has lost 4 straight games including two in double overtime and one by 5 points. The Buffaloes are 0-5 in pac 12 play and in last place in the Pac 12 South.
Washington leads the series 8-5-1 against Colorado. The Huskies have won 5 straight games against the Buffaloes including 59-7 last year in Seattle.
Washington is coached by Chris Petersen. The Huskies have road wins at Hawaii 17-16 and Cal 31-7, along with home wins over Eastern Michigan 59-52, Illinois 44-19 and Georgia State 45-14. Washington lost at home to Stanford 20-13 and last week against Arizona State 24-10, plus a road loss at Oregon 45-20. Washington is 3-5 ATS and the total is 2-6 this season. The Huskies were 3 point underdogs against Arizona State and the total was 60.
Colorado is coached by Mike MacIntyre. The Buffaloes have a road win over Massachusetts 41-38 and a home win over Hawaii 21-12. The Buffaloes have losses to Colorado State in Denver 31-17, at home to Arizona State 38-24, Oregon State 36-31 and last week against UCLA 40-37 in double overtime, plus road losses at Cal 59-56 in double overtime and at USC 56-28. Colorado is 3-4 ATS and the total is 4-3 this season. The Buffaloes were 14 point underdogs against UCLA and the total was 60.
Washington is outscoring teams 30-25 this season. The Huskies are averaging 355 yards per game including 176 passing and 179 rushing yards. Washington is #105 in total offense and #110 in passing out of 128 FBS teams. On defense, the Huskies are allowing 399 yards per game including 271 passing and 129 rushing yards. Washington is #32 in rush defense but #110 in pass defense. The Huskies are +10 in turnovers with 16 takeaways. Washington is averaging 59 penalty yards per game and opponents are averaging 59. The Huskies are 57/140 on third and fourth down conversions, and opponents are 59/145. Washington has forced 34 sacks and allowed 18. The Huskies are 25/27 scoring in the red zone with 17 touchdowns, and opponents are 24/33 with 16 touchdowns. Washington has 6 defensive touchdowns this season.
Washington quarterback Cyler Miles was suspended for the opener at Hawaii and replaced by Jeff Lindquist. Miles returned against Eastern Washington, and has started every game since. Miles injured his ankle against Arizona State and was replaced by Troy Williams. Miles is officially listed as questionable against Colorado, and Williams has passed Lindquist as the back-up. Williams will likely start if Miles can’t go. Miles has completed 66.2% of his passes for 1,043 yards with 10 touchdowns and 1 interception, along with 56 carries for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns. Lindquist threw for 162 yards and a touchdown against Hawaii. He also has 2 rushing touchdowns. Williams has thrown for 176 yards and 2 interceptions, and also has a rushing touchdown.
Running back Lavon Coleman has 106 carries for 438 yards and a touchdown, plus 9 catches. He is probable with a shoulder injury. Dwayne Washington has 63 carries for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns. John Ross has 17 catches for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jaydon Mickens has 37 catches for 321 yards and 2 touchdowns. DiAndre Campbell and Deontae Cooper will also get some catches.
Colorado is being outscored 39-32 this season. Colorado is #119 nationally in points allowed. The Buffaloes are averaging 470 yards per game on offense including 303 passing and 168 rushing yards per game. Colorado is in the top 30 nationally in total and passing offense. On defense, Colorado is allowing 444 total yards per game including 252 passing and 193 rushing yards per game. The Buffs are #92 or worse in all three categories. The Buffaloes are -4 in turnovers with 12 giveaways. Colorado is averaging 80 penalty yards per game and opponents average 65. The Buffaloes are 64/158 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 44/118. Colorado has forced 15 sacks and allowed 12 this season. The Buffaloes are 29/33 scoring in the red zone with 24 touchdowns and opponents are 34/35 with 25 touchdowns.
Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau has completed 64.7% of his passes for 2,276 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, plus 48 carries for 148 yards. Running back Tony Jones has 66 carries for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 15 catches for 107 yards. Michael Adkins II has 67 carries for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 9 catches. Christian Powell has 61 carries for 285 yards and a touchdown, plus 7 catches. Phillip Lindsay will also get carries. Receiver Nelson Spruce has 77 catches for 864 yards and 11 touchdowns. Shay Fields has 38 catches for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns. Five defensive players are listed as questionable or out for the Buffaloes.
Washington is 11-4-1 ATS after passing for less than 170 yards, 10-4 after failing to cover, against teams with losing records, 6-13 in road games, and 2-9-1 after a double digit home loss. The Huskies have won the last 5 games against the Buffaloes.
Colorado is 4-0 ATS against teams with winning road records, 6-1 after allowing 200 rushing yards or more, 5-1 in November, 4-1 after a cover, 6-2 in Pac 12 games, 5-2 at home and 1-5 after rushing for more than 200 yards.
Colorado has lost 4 straight games but has had a chance to win 3 of those games. Washington’s 3 losses came to three very good teams in Stanford, Oregon, and Arizona State. If Miles doesn’t play I think Colorado has a real shot of pulling off the upset.
