College Football Pick Colorado at Missouri 10-9-10

Colorado Buffaloes (3-1) vs. #24 Missouri Tigers (4-0)

Saturday, October 9, 2010 7:00PM EST

Line: Missouri -11

The Missouri Tigers have been able to climb into the ranks after successfully winning their first four games. Quarterback Rodney Stewart has been having a great year for Missouri this season, completing 15 passes for 187 yards and a score in his last game. The Buffaloes have some agility behind the running of Rodney Stewart. Colorado is not a team to sleep on, as they are coming off two big wins over Hawaii and Georgia.

Keys to the Game:

-          Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert has been phenomenal this season. Passing for 1,039 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. The quarterback has run in a touchdown in each of his last two games also. He’s completing a career high of 68.2 percent of his passes this year.

-          The Buffaloes love to rely on their 5’6’’ back Rodney Stewart. So far the junior has rushed for 402 yards and three touchdowns; he’s been getting a bunch more touches this year and will soon have at least half as many carries as he had all season last year. His latest game included a staggering 65 yard run that left defenses in the dust.

-          Missouri has had success in both passing and running the ball this year. The team has also kept together a durable defensive crew that has helped Gabbert and the team’s running back, Henry Josey to collectively be able to pull out wins for this group.

Both teams are tough competitors; this game will surely be entertaining. Missouri has been able to find the end zone all season, averaging 37.8 points this year. Colorado’s defense has allowed an average of 23.8 points this season; they will need to put the clamps down on the Tigers’ hot streak.

Free Pick: Missouri -11