Washington Huskies vs. Colorado Buffaloes NCAA Football Preview
Where: Folsom Field – Boulder, Colorado
When: Saturday, September 23, 2017, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Washington Huskies (-11) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (+11) – view all 2017 NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
College Football News and Previews
- Ohio State vs. Rutgers NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
- Clemson vs. Virginia Tech NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
- Arizona State vs. Stanford NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
Betting on the Washington Huskies (3-0)
Finally a real test has come along for the Washington Huskies. After impressing last year and going all the way to the Peach Bowl only to lose to Alabama, the Huskies will get some competition for the first time this year. For a National Championship contending team, taking on Rutgers, Montana and Fresno State has provided the dawgs with a walk in the park through three weeks. Colorado, on the other hand, haven’t had too big of a test just yet either, but are also a matching 3-0 entering their first conference game of the season.
The x-factor in this game will have to be the play of Jake Browning, of course, but the defensive trenches are truly where this game will be one. Last week against Colorado State, Buffalo running back Phillip Lindsay had a rough start and didn’t make up the majority of his 151 yards until later in the game. If the Husky D can capitalize on a slow start, it’ll put all the pressure on quarterback Steven Montez.
On the offensive side of the ball, as mentioned, Jake Browning will be looking to improve upon his 74% completion percentage and 8 touchdowns this season with a big game on the road. Browning is currently seventh in all of division one football with a 191.6 QB rating and should get ample opportunities to look downfield in this one. The Buffaloes have showed strong man and zone defensive sets so far this year, but Browning is a master of moving the football around and utilizing all of his receivers. Speaking of which, Browning is also going off at +3000 to take home this year’s Heisman Trophy.
Betting on the Colorado Buffaloes (3-0)
If you’re looking to bet straight moneyline, this one won’t be too difficult of a decision. However, if you’re thinking of the point spread, Colorado could surprise. All playoff and bowl games aside, the Huskies only ended games within 11 or less three times last year. Given their soft schedule to start and Colorado’s 2017 toughness and tenacity, this could be the night that all changes.
The Buffaloes are 3-0 after taking out weaker opponents Colorado State, Texas State and Northern Colorado, so there’s nothing really to brag about there either. They’re also coming off a season where they took out UCLA, Stanford, Arizona State and Washington State to finish first in the Pac-12 South though. This team is for real and if there’s a Pac-12 matchup to watch this year (maybe aside from USC-Washington) this is the one.
To beat the Huskies, the team will have to find a way to shut down Jake Browning. Very few have figured out how to take him out of the game aside from Alabama in last year’s Peach Bowl. USC also pulled it off to deliver Washington their lone loss last season as well and the team has also changed since. Browning lost a strong set of hands in John Ross and is still trying to figure out a few new pieces on his offense. If Colorado can break through the Husky offensive line early and often, they’ve got a tremendous shot at not only beating the spread, but potentially upsetting the Pac-12 favorites as well.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (-11) appears mortal but still walks away victorious with a 38-28 win.
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