Even though it’s a shorter week, oddsmakers have full confidence in the Ducks, making them 3 TD favorites in the NCAA week 7 Colorado at Oregon free pick. OU has rattled off four straight wins after a close loss to Auburn to start the season, including going 3-0 at home. Colorado has a veteran team that should compete in this one – or at least keep the game closer than 21…on paper.
Colorado Better Than Last Week’s Outing
It’s been an up and down season for the Buffaloes so far. Their 3-2 record should be looked at as a success – but they could also easily be 5-0 or 1-4. It seems like Mel Tucker’s team is best when their backs are against the wall. CU has a win over Nebraska this year as a home ‘dog and has beaten Arizona State on the road when the Sun Devils were giving over a touchdown. The Buffaloes have also lost to Air Force and Arizona while favored at home though.
Colorado scored a 41-38 upset in Eugene the last time these two teams met which was back in September of 2016. Heading into the NCAA week 7 Colorado at Oregon free pick the Buffaloes actually have the same quarterback starting the game in Sr. Steven Montez. He’s thrown for 299+ in 3 of the last 4 games this year with 8 TD to 2 INT over that span. Colorado desperately needs WR standout Laviska Shenault, Jr. back in the lineup though as he missed the loss to Arizona last week and it showed.
Tony Brown has stepped up nicely for the Colorado offense with 10 and 9 catches the last two games for 150 and 141 yards. Imagine what a duo he’ll form with Shenault in the lineup though. What’s been concerning is the Colorado defense, supposedly Tucker’s strength. CU has allowed at least 30 points in every game this season and is 124th in the country vs. the pass. Not good when you visit Oregon.
Ducks Offense Sputtering a Bit
Make no mistake, the Ducks offense will probably ‘get right’ vs. the Buffaloes defense in the NCAA week 7 Colorado at Oregon free pick. That doesn’t mean the OU offense hasn’t been stalling out a bit lately though. Even though Oregon has won four straight, they’ve been held to 21 points or less in 3 of 5 games this season. That includes a modest 17-7 home win over Cal last week -21.5 favorites. A very similar pregame line to Friday’s contest with Colorado.
The Golden Bears held Justin Herbert to just 214 passing yards last week. They also forced the Oregon QBs first INT of the season. The Ducks probably shouldn’t be alarmed though as Herbert now has 15 TD to 1 pick on the year. Herbert should explode Thursday vs. a Colorado offense allowing 313.6 ypg through the air. There’s a reason the O/U in this one is 59.
The ‘over’ in Friday’s matchup seems like a lock but these aren’t the Ducks of old. Oregon actually has a top 10 total yard defense on the season and is 9th in the country vs. the pass allowing only 166 yards through the air per game. They are also stout against the run though, yielding 95.4 ypg on the ground which is 16th in the country.
NCAA week 7 Colorado at Oregon Free Pick
Despite their loss at home to Arizona last week, Colorado isn’t 21 points worse than the Ducks here. It’s possible Oregon is looking forward to their game at 4-2 Washington next week and although the Ducks will get the home win, it’s hard to see it as a blowout. The Colorado defense has been bad, but you’d think Tucker can make the adjustments as that is supposed to be his specialty.
Pick: Colorado Buffaloes +21
