Oregon State/Colorado
Time: 4 PM ET
Spread: ORE -5
Total: 54
Odds courtesy of Bovada
Oregon State is 3-1 after winning its first three games of the year, then following that up with a loss last week to then-No. 18 USC. The three wins came over Portland State, Hawaii and San Diego State.
The Beavers are 51st in the nation in passing yardage with 256.5 per game, while the rush lingers at 103rd in the nation with just 123.8 yards per game. The Beavers are averaging a plus-4.8 point differential.
QB Sean Mannion has been reasonably successful at QB. He’s throwing 62.8 percent for completion and averaging 7.08 yards per reception, but he’s thrown as many INTs (4) as TDs.
In the backfield, the Beavers go with Storm Woods and Terron Ward as the No. 1 and No. 2 options. Both average over five yards per carry, and have each rushed for over 200 yards on the season. Ward has four TDs, getting most of the short yardage and red zone carries. Woods has two TDs on the season.
Oregon State has six receivers with 100 yards or more, led by Richard Mullaney and Victor Bolden with nearly 200 yards each. Both have a TD on the year and the Beavers have scored four passing TDs, while having accounted for seven via the rush. So, while the passing may be responsible for the bulk of the yardage, the Beavers turn to short running plays to score.
Colorado is 2-3 on the season and 0-2 in Pac-12 play, yet finds itself only five-point underdogs in the college football odds. The Buffaloes have had a good passing attack, averaging 322.8 yards per game (17th in nation). The rush has been moderately successful, with 163 yards per game (73rd).
The Rams have alternated wins and losses in the season and lost by a field goal in double-OT to California last week. The Buffaloes lost its only matchup to a ranked opponent, falling 38-24 to Arizona State on Sept. 13.
Sefo Liufau has been great at QB. He’s thrown for 1,579 yards already on the young season with a 65.3 percent completion ratio. He averages 6.61 yards per reception and has 17 TDs to just 6 INTs. His top receiving target has been Nelson Spruce, who averages 12.4 yards per reception and has 10 TDs on the year, and almost 700 yards through five games.
In the backfield, the Rams have four backs with 100 yards or more, but are paced by Christian Powell with a team high 57 carries and 274 yards. He’s rushed for just one of the four Buffaloes rushing TDs on the year. Place kicker Will Oliver is a perfect just 4-of-8 on field goals and has only gone 2-of-6 from outside of 30 yards.
TRENDS:
ORE: 1-5 ATS in last 6 after allowing more than 450 yards in previous game; 1-4 ATS in last 5 after accumulating less than 100 rushing yards in previous game; UNDER 4-1 in last 5 after accumulating less than 100 yard rushing in previous game.
COL: 5-0 ATS in last 5 conference games; 4-0 ATS in last 4 following ATS win; 4-0 ATS in last 4 after accumulating 280 yards passing or more in previous game.
