Colorado Buffaloes at Missouri Tigers, Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
Saturday, October 9, 2010, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Missouri -12
Current Line: Missouri -11 1/2
Opening total: 52
Current Total: 52
Money Line: Missouri -425 / Colorado +355
Colorado is 3-1 this season and opens Big 12 play for the last time before leaving for the Pac-10. They travel to Missouri who is 4-0. These two teams played a memorable game 20 years ago almost tot eh day, when a referee’s mistake inadvertently gave Colorado a 5 down on which they scored to win the game. It propelled Colorado to splitting the National Championship with Georgia Tech. Missouri fans are still upset about that game to this day. They have owned the Buffs recently winning the last 5 straight up. The Tigers haven’t played since September 25th when they beat Miami-Ohio 51-13. Colorado hasn’t fared well in October recently going only 31-50 ATS since 1992.
Colorado is 3-1 this season, the best start under embattled coach Dan Hawkins. They beat Georgia last week in Boulder 29-27. The only blemish on the record happened in their only road game at Cal and it wasn’t pretty. The Buffs were mauled 52-7 by the Golden Bears. Colorado doesn’t travel well as they have dropped 12 in a row on the road. Hawkins is 2-19 in road games in his tenure at Colorado. The Buffs defense has played pretty well outside of the debacle in California, giving up 337 yards a game. In their three wins, the Buffs are only allowing 14 points a game. The Buffaloes have forced 11 sacks and 7 turnovers. The Buffs are having some problems protecting the ball and the quarterback. they have 9 turnovers and 10 sacks allowed. They are also committing almost 8 penalties a game for more than 60 yards a game. They will have to improve in those areas if they hope to compete with Nebraska and Missouri. Quarterback Tyler Hansen has thrown for 716 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has also rushed for 3 touchdowns. Scotty McKnight (16 catches, 178 yards, 2 TD’s) and Toney Clemons (10 catches, 156 yards, and 1 touchdown) are Hansen’s top receivers. The running game is averaging over 200 yards a game led by Rodney Stewart who has 86 carries, 402 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Missouri is 4-0 but two of those were narrow wins over Illinois and San Diego St, teams the Tigers should have beaten handily. The Tigers defense has played pretty well. They are only giving up just over 300 yards a game and 14 points a game. The Tigers have forced 13 turnovers and 9 sacks so far this season. On offense the Tigers are gaining 432 yards a game and scoring 38 points a game. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has thrown for 1039 yards, 5 touchdowns and three interceptions so far. The Tigers are gaining 154 yards a game on the ground, and have 4 players with at least 13 carries. Henry Josey and De’Vion Moore take most of the carries and both have at least 3 touchdowns. T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew are the teams leading receivers. both have at least 33 catches.
Both of these teams are vastly improved on defense and in fact Missouri is ranked #10 in total defense in the country. However, both of these teams are are capable of scoring tons of points, so it should be interesting to see what happens.
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