| Coach Jon Embree's Buffaloes have regressed in Year 2.(US Presswire) |
Colorado (0-2, 0-0 Pac-12) at Fresno State (1-1, 0-0 Mountain West)
Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
Spread: Fresno State by 15
Watchability: If you're a Pac-12 fan, not too much. The Buffaloes have been a big disappointment this year, and expectations weren't exactly high coming in, and Fresno State put up a good fight against Oregon.
Shining stars: Colorado: Perhaps the lone bright spot in the Buffaloes' loss to Sacramento State was the fantastic play of running back Christian Powell. His three-touchdown performance put him on a path toward becoming a star. Fresno State: Davante Adams leads the Mountain West in receptions and receiving yards and, quite frankly, Colorado's pass defense stinks. He should go off in this game.
Who could steal the show: Colorado: Chidera Uzo-Diribe has one of the best names in the country. And he can rush the passer a bit, too. He is averaging 1.5 sacks per game to tie for the conference lead. Fresno State: Isaiah Burse can change a game at receiver and at returner, and his all-purpose yardage is tops in the conference. Against a Colorado pass defense that is about as harrassing as a napping puppy, this is going to be interesting.
You going? Ranking the road trip: No way. Fresno is no place to be on a Saturday if the game isn't special
Magic number for Colorado: 293. Replacing much of its offense and without the services of its leading receiver in Paul Richardson, the Buffaloes are averaging 293 yards, 109th in the nation.
Magic number for Fresno State: 99. The Bulldogs rank 99th in the country in rushing defense, and if Powell can have the same kind of game he had last week, the Buffaloes could pull off the upset.
This game comes down to: Colorado's blocking up front. The Buffaloes' offensive line has not been nearly aggressive enough to start the year.
Prediction: Fresno State 30, Colorado 20
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