Colorado Buffaloes at West Virginia Mountaineers Preview and Pick

College Football Betting Preview by BangTheBook.com
Colorado Buffaloes (1-2) at West Virginia Mountaineers (2-1)
Thursday October 1st, 7:30 p.m. EDT

Online Sportsbook betting line – West Virginia -17

The first night of October will highlight an out-of-conference showdown between the Big East and Big 12. The Colorado Buffaloes are attempting to breakout out of the bottom of the Big 12 and will travel across the country to battle with the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers have hoped to restore power in the Big East and have been playing pretty well despite coming off a 41-30 loss from Auburn nearly two weeks ago. However, West Virginia has had an off week to regroup and get the momentum rolling again when they host a prime time battle with the Buffaloes.

Colorado on the other hand has struggled against some weaker football teams and it will be interesting to see how they hold up against front runners from the Big East.

Colorado has seen struggles on both sides of the ball this season. On offense, the Buffaloes ranked dead last in the Big 12 last season scoring just 20.1 points per game.

The team has only averaged 23 points per game and has yet to start conference play, which means the offense will be tested even further.

QB Cody Hawkins has thrown for 755 yards in three games. While those numbers do not appear disappointing, Hawkins has completed just 52 percent and has thrown four interceptions thus far in the season.

However, a lot of the problems have started in front of Hawkins on the offensive line. The Buffaloes ranked next to last in the Big 12 giving up 2.5 sacks per game just a year ago and those trends have not changed so far in 2009.

In just three games, Hawkins has been brought down eight times, which could be a big reason for the inconsistency issues. The offensive line will have to play better against a talented defensive front from West Virginia that averaged two sacks per game last season and perhaps could be even better this year.

The Buffaloes defense is the real cause for concern heading into Thursday night’s match-up. Colorado really struggled last season against the big-time offenses. However, the Buffaloes actually ranked first in pass defense allowing just 215 yards per game.

Considering how rich the Big 12 is with passing offenses and great quarterbacks, that was quite an achievement in 2008. The problem that resulted into the disappointing season was the Buffaloes failed to stop anyone running the football.

Colorado allowed 166 yards per game last season and is showing similar signs allowing 183 yards per game in their opening three  games of the season. Those numbers do not bode well against one of the best rushing teams in America.

West Virginia ranked 15th in overall rushing last season and averaging just a few yards shy of the 200 mark per game in 2009. If Colorado can not stop the rush, then the chances for them pulling off an upset is slim to none.

West Virginia heads into the game with a dynamic rushing attack led by an option-like style offense. QB Jarrett Brown is just as, if not more dangerous with his legs than his arms.

Brown has posted 5.5 yards per carry and 208 total on the year by way of the ground. Brown is also completing a stout 69 percent passing for nearly 800 yards in just three games as well.

The only mild concern is that Brown has thrown five picks early on this season, but the majority of those (four to be exact) was in the loss to Auburn. Rest assured the offense will still have a lot of faith for Brown to turn the ball loose through the air.

However, the offense may never have to go to the air if running back Noel Devine continues to flourish. Devine entered the season as one of the premier backs in the Big East and has yet to disappoint averaging 6.3 yards per carry and also a total of 320 yards. Devine rushed for nearly 1,300 yards last year and this very well could be the game he picks up the pace if Colorado continues to struggle against the run.

Also, keep an eye on WR Jock Sanders who is emerging as a big play target in the passing game. Sanders has 309 yards on the season and perhaps has been the biggest consistent playmaker for the West Virginia offense.

BTB's Football Pick – Mountaineers -17