2014
Colorado Buffaloes
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Colorado is still looking to break into the fold of the Pac-12, but it’s hard to see how that will happen in Mike MACIntyre’s second season as the head coach. They won Four Games last year, but only one in the Conference as they lost seven Games by at least 18 points. The Buffaloes return 17 starters, but have to stay competitive in Games before they can think of winning any.
Colorado’s over/under win total is listed at 4 Games currently, at 5 dimes sportsbook.
The offense will be led by Sefo Liufau at quarterback, who took over midway through last season and finished completing 59.4% of his passes with 12 TDs and 8 INTs. He loses his favorite target Paul Richardson (83 receptions, 1,343 yards, 10 TDs), but everyone else returns. Obviously, someone will have to step into Richardson’s role. Nelson Spruce (55 receptions) should be a bigger factor, but freshman Bryce Bobo could easily break in as a starting receiver.
Christian Powell (562 yards) and Michael Adkins II (535 yards) return in the backfield and should share carries similarly again as they present two different types of runners. The offensive line loses two starters and needs to improve as they often struggled to block better teams.
This is an offense that hasn’t averaged more than 19 points per Game in the past two seasons in Conference play. That has to change.
Colorado’s defense returns a lot of players (eight starters), but this unit is still a work in progress, allowing close to 40 points per Game last year. against anyone with a decent offense, they were just torched.
The defensive line will be the main question as they’re dealing with injuries, and two projected starters missed spring ball because of academic issues. That’s not a good sign. Addison Gillam is great at linebacker and he’s only a sophomore. The secondary is also pretty deep with each position having multiple guys to go to. Stopping the run will be the Buffs’ first concern this season.
Their non-Conference slate should equal another three wins for Colorado. They beat in-state rival Colorado State last year, and should do so again in what is probably their hardest out-of-Conference Game.
Playing at California doesn’t help their odds since that is the one team they actually have an advantage over. They’ll need to win that Game on the road. OUtside of that, the best chances for Colorado to pick up another win or two will be against Oregon State or Utah. Those are two teams they can definitely compete with, it just depends on if they can finish them off or not.
Colorado will probably be in line for Four of five wins again, and will be hoping to reach that bowl Game in 2015 as it still seems unlikely this season unless Liufau has an incredible season at QB.
2014 Colorado Football Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. Colorado State (in Denver)
Sept. 6 at Massachusetts
Sept. 13 vs. Arizona State
Sept. 20 vs. Hawaii
Sept. 27 at California
Oct. 4 vs. Oregon State
Oct. 18 at USC
Oct. 25 vs. UCLA
Nov. 1 vs. Washington
Nov. 8 at Arizona
Nov. 22 at Oregon
Nov. 29 vs. Utah