Colorado State vs. Colorado Betting Odds & Prediction: September 6th 2009

Colorado State vs. Colorado
Free Prediction: Colorado -10.5 (-110 betting odds)
Sun September 6th 2009 7:00p
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Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins promised 10 wins for this season’s Buffalo squad at last year’s team banquet. To do that, he needs better play at QB and needs to fill four vacancies on the defensive line. The coach’s son, Cody Hawkins, and Tyler Hansen will share playing time at QB. The strength of CU is at running back where they are loaded with Darrell Scott and Rodney Stewart.

Colorado State has some defensive shortcomings, also. Last year they were dead last in the nation only chalking up a total of nine sacks all season. They gave up 185 yards per game rushing at a 5.2 yard per carry clip. On offense, CSU loses their two stud running backs, Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell. They do have tremendous depth at the offensive line having the most returning career starts in the country.

The Rams’ starting quarterback is a fifth year senior, Grant Stucker. He has been taking public criticism from head coach Steve Fairchild this year that his game is not where it should be. Stucker only threw 5 passes last year and has never started a game in his college career.

Colorado last year suffered a lot of injuries on the way to a very disappointing season. However, they did start the season well beating CSU by 21 points. This in-state rivalry historically has produced very close games, with the previous 6 games before last year’s match with the previous 6 games before last year’s match being decided by a total of 25 points. For a number of years this game has been played in neutral Denver. This year’s game is on Colorado’s campus in Boulder.

Both teams suffered almost equal losses on defense, CSU with 5 returning starters, CU with just 4. The CU offensive line does have 4 returning starters and has a considerable size advantage over the CSU defensive front. CSU’s best OL, Shelley Smith, has a sprained ankle and is questionable for this game.

CU is better this year with CSU being down a notch from last year. They struggled offensively last year but have 9 offensive starters back including their QB. CU’s coach is on the hot seat, he needs to start the season off well. CSU had a surprising season last year even getting a bowl game win. This is more points than normal to lay in a rivalry, but I like the situation.

Take the Buffaloes!