Colorado vs Arizona Prediction, Preview, Stream, Odds & Picks
Colorado and Arizona could each finish in the bottom half of the Pac-12. Colorado is winless, with one loss in conference play, while Arizona lost last week in its first conference game.
The Buffaloes (0-4, 0-1 Pac-12) lost to UCLA 45-17 in their previous game. The Wildcats (2-2, 0-1) played well against California in the first half, heading into halftime with a three-point lead, but lost 49-31.
Colorado Winless
There haven’t been many positives to come out of Colorado’s season. The offense has struggled, averaging 11.8 points and 261.3 yards, while the defense has given up 43.3 and 426.8 yards per game.
Against UCLA, the Buffaloes scored their most points in a game this season, mainly due to freshman quarterback Owen McCown taking the starting job from transfer JT Shrout. McCown threw for 258 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while also scrambling for a touchdown.
In one game, McCown surpassed Shrout’s total passing yards from his three starts combined. He at least showed he was an upgrade at the position, but without much of a supporting cast, it will be a season-long struggle. UCLA recorded five sacks, one resulting in a fumble.
The Buffaloes’ defense didn’t do much to stop the UCLA offense as they gave up 515 yards, the second straight week the defense allowed 500 or more yards.
Arizona’s Offense has Promise
Arizona’s offense has looked pretty good through the first four games despite a 2-2 start. The Wildcats have scored over 30 points three times, averaging 426.8 yards per game.
A large part of the offense’s success goes through the air, with 301.3 passing yards per game, from quarterback Jayden de Laura leading the charge. He has 1,149 passing yards, with eight touchdowns and six interceptions.
Outside of his bad start against Mississippi State, throwing half of his interceptions in that one game, he has been good. His favorite target has been wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who has six touchdowns with 386 receiving yards.
While facing California, de Laura had what could have been his best game of the season, throwing for 401 yards and two touchdowns. However, his two interceptions on the last two drives cost the Wildcats.
The defense has leveled the playing field, giving up more points than the offense can keep up with. The Wildcats allow 416.0 total yards, giving up the seventh-most rushing yards in NCAA football odds.
Colorado vs Arizona Injury Report
Colorado’s injury report features three players listed as questionable, including running backs Alex Fontenot and Jayle Stacks and wide receiver Chase Penry.
On Arizona’s injury report, quarterback Will Plummer and running back Rayshon Luke are both out indefinitely.
Colorado vs Arizona Head-to-Head
Colorado and Arizona first met on the football field in 1931. The Buffaloes found success, winning the first 11 games when facing the Wildcats. Once the Wildcats joined the Pac-12 in 2011, they won seven of the last 11 games. However, the Buffaloes have won the last two, including 31-0 last season.
Colorado vs Arizona Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 1st
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
- Colorado vs ArizonaLive Stream: ESPN
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Colorado vs Arizona Betting Lines
Colorado vs Arizona Prediction
Based on what we have seen from Colorado, it does not look like it will be a close game with Arizona, leading to a large-point spread. The Buffaloes’ defense has not stopped anyone, and the Wildcats’ offense is the team’s strength.
De Laura should be in for a good game, and while McCown has answered some questions at quarterback, it won’t be enough. The Buffaloes just don’t have the team to be able to keep it close enough to cover the spread.
Be sure to stay tuned as we’ll be covering the most important college football odds and we’ll also be sharing our college football lines for the upcoming tournaments!
