A Pac-12 program with high hopes has an uphill battle as they travel to Big Ten country. The Colorado Buffaloes travel to face the #4 Michigan Wolverines Saturday. The game kicks off from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan at 3:30 pm ET. Television coverage for the contest is set for the Big Ten Network. The current odds have Michigan favored by 20 points in the contest with the over/under set at 56 points.
Colorado comes into this contest 2-0 and with a 100-14 scoring differential. The Buffaloes remained undefeated after steamrolling their way past Idaho State 56-7 last week. Michigan went to 2-0 on the year with a 51-14 drubbing of Central Florida at home last week. This is the fifth meeting between the two schools. Michigan has a 3-1 advantage in the series and won the last two games. That includes a 27-3 win in the last meeting back in 1997.
Colorado started out of the gates like gangbusters the first two weeks of the season. The competition level leaves something to be desired. Idaho State isn’t going to be confused with the powerhouses of the Pac-12. The Buffaloes stampeded to the tune of 597 yards of offense and 32 first downs. Colorado’s defense came to play as well. They held the Bengals to only 96 yards of offense and seven first downs in the game. The Buffaloes dominated time of possession as well: they held the ball for 36:36 to Idaho State’s 23:24.
The Buffaloes are piling up 587.5 yards of offense a game and 50 points per contest. They are 11th in the FBS in scoring offense. Whether the Buffaloes can maintain those numbers against tougher competition remains to be seen. Sefo Liufau is 38 of 51 passing for 522 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. He is second on the team with 120 rushing yards plus a score. Philip Lindsay has 27 carries for a team best 125 yards plus four scores. Kyle Evans contributes 23 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Ross has a team leading 11 grabs for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Jay MacIntyre (eight grabs, 84 yards) and Bryce Bobo (seven catches, 106 yards) are reliable targets as well. Diego Gonzalez is 12 of 12 on extra points and 3 of 3 on field goals with a long of 30 yards.
Michigan showed again why they’re considered a frontrunner in the Big Ten with an emphatic dismantling of an opponent last week. The Wolverines jumped to a 21-0 lead after one quarter and led 31-0 in the second before Central Florida got on the board. Michigan held a 447-331 edge in total yards in the contest. The Wolverines had five scoring drives start in Central Florida territory. Michigan forced two turnovers while not committing a turnover itself. The Wolverines also held the ball for 34:25 in the contest.
The Wolverines are 5th in the FBS with 57 points per game on the year. Offensively, Michigan puts up 479.5 yards of offense a game. Wilton Speight is 35 of 50 throwing the ball for 457 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. Chris Evans is the leading ground gainer with 17 carries for 147 yards and two scores. De’Veon Smith (16 carries, 65 yards), Ty Isaac (12 carries, 58 yards) and Karan Higdon (12 carries, 56 yards, TD) are capable backs. Amara Darboh (team high 153 yards, 3 TD) and Jake Butt (126 yards, 3 TD) each have eight catches to lead the team. Jehu Chesson chips in seven receptions for 127 yards. Kenny Allen is 10 of 10 on extra points and three of three on field goals with a long of 37 yards.
Colorado has blasted their first two opponents. The Buffaloes are in for a rude awakening as they try to move the ball against a Michigan defense that is stifling. Offensively, the Wolverines are no slouches either. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball. Colorado gets a reminder of what playing a Power Five school is like. Michigan wins this one in a whipping. For more free NCAA football picks, be sure to come back often!
Michigan is 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last five in September. Colorado is 1-3-1 ATS in their last five after a straight up win of at least 20 points and 1-6 ATS in their last seven after allowing less than 100 yards rushing.