Colorado vs. Oregon point spread: Picking Buffaloes vs. Ducks
Colorado has been the must-watch team in college football for three weeks. An undefeated record has Deion Sanders feeling on top of the world in Boulder. However, reality could come crashing back down — at least Vegas views it that way — on Saturday when facing Oregon on the road.
Oregon is a three-touchdown favorite against Colorado and Kayce Smith of Barstool Sports can see why. The Buffaloes have been in some high-leverage games already this season but Dan Lanning‘s team is going to be on a different level when it comes to the talent level. Especially on the offensive end, where Bo Nix has been nearly unstoppable.
“Bo Nix and this offense at Oregon are very, very good,” Smith said during Wednesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “And what we’ve seen Colorado’s defense look like — with or without Travis Hunter — they’re not able to slow a lot of people down thus far. Shedeur Sanders and this offense can win in a shootout. But Bo Nix is a different type of quarterback than they’ve seen.”
Oregon is averaging 58 points through three games. Nix is completing nearly 78% of his throws and has 893 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Smith also pointed to the line of scrimmage potentially being a Colorado weakness. The Ducks are averaging over seven yards per carry rushing this season.
Even so, Smith is going to take Colorado to cover. She admits a lot of it is due to bias, being good friends with Sanders, a former colleague. Her bet will be locked in at Colorado +21.
“Do I think Colorado can cover the number? Yes,” Smith said. “Will I convince myself by Saturday that they’re going to win the game? Also, probably yes.”
Andy Staples taking Oregon to cover over Colorado
Staples is going the other way and it’s because of Sanders’ press conference the other week. Despite Lanning talking badly about the Colorado program earlier in the year, Sanders expressed the respect he has for Oregon. A potential sign of knowing Saturday could get out of hand quite quickly, even if Hunter was making the trip to Eugene.
“I’m going to take Oregon to cover here,” Staples said. “I’m going to take Deion’s advice. I’m going to read between the lines with Deion and say ‘With no Travis Hunter, that probably adds another touchdown or two to Oregon’s total.’ And they were already going to be able to score some.”