The NCAA week 11 Stanford at Colorado free pick is sure to see a lot of public action on the visiting Cardinal. David Shaw’s team has put (some) of their early-season woes behind them after posting wins in 3 of the last 4 games. The Buffaloes on the other hand are in a free fall. The talented offense is in shambles as CU has dropped their last 5 in a row. Easy wager on Stanford Saturday afternoon?
Cardinal Focused for Another Win?
It was looking like a potential record breaking season for Stanford – in terms of how bad they were – at the beginning of the year. The Cardinal squeaked out a win in the opener over Northwestern, but then lost three straight to USC, UCF, and Oregon. Make no mistake, Stanford was an underdog in each of those games and were ‘supposed’ to lose. Shaw has since turned things around for the Cardinal, winning 3 of the last 4 to be on the cusp of bowl eligibility at 4-4.
The Cardinal would look like an absolutely great wager in the NCAA week 11 Stanford at Colorado free pick if not for the blemish of a 16-34 home loss to UCLA two games ago as -4 favorites. Stanford did bounce back and show some great offense in a 41-31 win over Arizona the next week and had a bye last week to prepare for Colorado.
What’s positive for Stanford coming into Saturday’s game is that they showed some great diversity on offense vs. the Wildcats. K.J. Costello threw for 312 yards and 3 TDs while Cameron Scarlett also rushed for 102 and 2 TD on just 19 carries. Then again Arizona is in the bottom 5-7 in the country defensively in total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and points allowed. Stanford has basically had a bye the last two weeks. Colorado’s defense isn’t as bad – but they are close.
Where Does Colorado Find Motivation?
The Buffaloes have officially let this season get away. That’s a statement that would have also rang true a couple weeks ago as the Buffs’ have now dropped 5 in a row. You always have to like a home underdog in a conference game, but it’s also hard to back a team that doesn’t score – and doesn’t stop the opponent from moving the ball at will.
First, Colorado’s offense. This unit is a far cry from the team that wouldn’t quit in an emotional 34-31 win over Nebraska earlier in the year when the Cornhuskers still had hopes for their season. The CU offense has looked especially bad in the last month, being held to 14 points or less in 3 of 4 games. Veteran QB Steven Montez has thrown for less than 200 yards in each of those 3 poor outings and WR Laviska Shenault, Jr. was held to just 3 catches for 16 yards last week in a loss to UCLA. Throw in the fact that top rusher Alex Fontenot is battling an ankle injury and things aren’t looking good for the home team’s offense.
What you do like about Colorado is that they’ve kept things close at home this season. That includes a 31-35 loss to USC two weeks ago as +10 home ‘dogs. Shenault had 172 yards receiving in that game while Montez lit up the Trojans for 324 and 3 TDs. Unfortunately, Colorado’s offense has to be great if they want to win games as the defense has allowed 30+ points in every game this season. The Buffs have one of the worst pass defenses in the country giving up 316 yards per game.
NCAA Week 11 Stanford at Colorado Free Pick
The Buffaloes offense will get theirs on Saturday afternoon. Stanford gave up almost 500 yards and 31 points to Arizona last game and 455 and 34 points to UCLA the tilt before that. Unfortunately for CU and the +3.5, their defense cannot stop anybody this season. Colorado has allowed at least 35 points in 5 of the last 6. The total should be in the 60s for this game – on bad defense alone:
Pick: Stanford / Colorado *Over* 56
