Today’s Free Pick
Today’s Free Pick
| GAME: Hawaii @ Colorado Sep 18, 2010 3:30PM |
| SPORT: College Football Picks |
| PICK: Colorado |
| Offered at: -12 SPORTSBETTING |
| REASON FOR PICK: Hawaii faces a challenge in having to play its second straight game away from home. Road trips for the Rainbows are particularly difficult considering that they must travel to the mainland to find competition. The 1:30 PM local start in Boulder is four hours ahead of Hawaii time which means this Hawaii team will feel like it is playing at 9:30 in the morning. Then again, the Rainbows may not know what time zone they are in, as they played at West Point a week ago Saturday, traveled West to spend the early part of this week in Las Vegas and then flew to Boulder. Hawaii's travel schedule in and of itself should give Colorado a big advantage. Hawaii was able to gain almost 600 total yards and score 36 points in its season-opening 49-36 loss to USC. However, after the Trojans struggled to defeat a suspect Virginia team last week, that performance does not look nearly as impressive. Hawaii traveled to face Army last week and escaped with a 31-28 victory. Led by QB Bryant Muniz, the Rainbows were able to pass for 343 yards. However, the problem for Hawaii is the running game. The Rainbows don't have one of their own and they can't stop the opposition from running the ball. The Rainbows gained only 10 rushing yards against Army while letting the Cadets accumulate 250 yards rushing yards. The Black Knights used this formula to limit the Hawaii passing attack by keeping the Rainbows off the field for almost 38 minutes in that game. USC was able to rush for 246 yards while totaling 524 total yards the week before against the Hawaii 'D.' This is the formula for success for the Buffaloes. I look for Dan Hawkins to use the clock and run the football with RB Rodney Stewart who has 147 yards so far this season after gaining over 800 yards last year. QB Tyler Hansen threw three interceptions in the Buffaloes' 52-7 loss to California but the Hawaii defense is not nearly as talented as the Golden Bears.' Stewart's ability to run the ball will open things up for Hansen which will put him in a better position to succeed with an offense that returns eight starters from last season (as well as four of their top five wide receivers). However, I believe it is the Colorado defense which will make the difference in this game. This unit gave up only 356 total yards against California last week. It was five turnovers that did the Buffaloes in, helping the Golden Bears seize a 31-0 halftime lead which took Colorado out of its running game. In the first week of the season, Colorado's defense was impressive by holding its in-state rival (Colorado State Rams) to just 245 total yards. Hawaii's lack of offensive balance will limit its effectiveness in this spot. In all, Colorado should respond well to this challenge. They Buffs have covered the pointspread in six of their last seven games when they are rebounding off a loss. The Buffaloes have also covered the spread in five of their last six games at home. There will be less pressure on the offense in this game which should minimize turnovers. Hawkins will implement the Army game plan against Hawaii but see better results with it for his team, given his better athletes who are battle-tested from its Big 12 schedule. While Hawaii is a dangerous opponent at home, the Rainbows are a team I tend to avoid when they have to go on the road. The running game will make the difference in this match up and the edge goes to Colorado. Lay the points. |
Posted by Tainer at 9/17/2010 11:44 AM 
Categories: HAWAII VS COLORADO
Tags: FREE PRO PLAYS OF THE DAY
Categories: HAWAII VS COLORADO
Tags: FREE PRO PLAYS OF THE DAY
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