Colorado at Arizona: 12/5/20 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Wildcats (0-3) vs Colorado Buffaloes (3-0)
Game Info: Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 7:00pm (Arizona Stadium)
Betting Odds: Arizona Wildcats +3.5 -- Over/Under: 61 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Colorado Buffaloes will travel to Arizona Stadium to take on the Arizona Wildcats this Saturday in College Football action.
The Colorado Buffaloes improved to 3-0 (2-0 Pac-12) on the season after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs, 20-10, this past Saturday. Colorado was able to jump out to 14-0 lead after a 3-yard TD pass by Sam Noyer late in the 2nd quarter and put the game away after a 41-yard FG by Evan Price gave the Buffaloes a double-digit lead with 9:34 left in regulation. Colorado outgained San Diego State by a 272-155 margin and forced one turnover in the loss. Leading the way for the Buffaloes was QB Sam Noyer who completed 17 of 29 passes for 138 yards, 1 TD, & 1 INT while also adding a rushing TD.
On the season, Colorado is averaging 34.3 ppg on 409.7 total yards per game (218.0 passing yds/g; 191.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Colorado has been led by QB Sam Noyer who has completed 61.9% of his passes for 650 yards, 4 TD, & 2 INT. Noyer is also the 2nd leading rusher for the Buffaloes as he has 112 rushing yards & 4 TD’s on 32 carries. The top receiving threats for Colorado have been Dimitri Stanley (13 rec, 202 yards, TD), La’Vontae Shenault (9 rec, 124 yards), Brady Russell (5 rec, 77 yards, 1 TD), and Brenden Rice (5 rec, 59 yards, 1 TD). Leading the way for the Colorado backfield has been Jarek Broussard who has 432 rushing yards & 3 TD’s on 90 carries.
Defensively, Colorado is allowing their opponents to average 28.0 ppg on 343.3 total yards per game (235.3 passing yds/g; 108.0 rushing yds/g).
The Arizona Wildcats are still in search for their first win as the Wildcats dropped to 0-3 on the season after being defeated by the UCLA Bruins, 27-10, this past Saturday. Arizona continued to struggle on the offensive end and couldn’t fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 20-7 margin. Arizona was outgained by UCLA by a 410-300 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Wildcats was WR Stanley Berryhill III who had 5 receptions for 58 yards.
On the season, Arizona is averaging 22.3 ppg on 358.3 total yards per game (232.7 passing yds/g; 125.7 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Arizona has been led by WR Stanley Berryhill III who had 18 receptions for 193 yards & 3 TD’s. Arizona had to go with Will Plummer (17 for 35, 151 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT) for the majority of last game after Grant Gunnell (52 of 76, 547 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT) left with a shoulder injury. Gunell is currently questionable for this matchup. The other top receivers, outside of Stanley Berryhill III, have been Tayvian Cunningham (8 rec, 129 yards, 1 TD), Bobbie Curry (8 rec, 77 yards), and Ma’jon Wright (5 rec, 75 yards, 1 TD). Leading the way for the Arizona backfield has been the duo of Gary Brightwell (49 att, 224 yards) and Michael Wiley (15 att, 58 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Arizona is allowing their opponents to average 35.0 ppg on 460.0 total yards per game (231.0 passing yds/g; 229.0 rushing yds/g).
The Buffaloes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. Arizona. The Wildcats are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games and 1-8 ATS in their last 9 December games.
Colorado is not as good as their 3-0 record might indicate, however, I do believe Arizona is as bad as their 0-3 record shows. Arizona’s defense has really struggled so far this season and as the Buffaloes have a balanced offensive attack that should have success, I think the play here is to take Colorado to cover this road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Colorado Buffaloes -3.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
