The University of Arizona Wildcats (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) host the University of Colorado Buffaloes (0-4, 0-1 Pac-12) at Arizona Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits one of the Pac-12 Conference’s most potent passing offenses against one of its toughest aerial defenses. The Wildcats are 17.5-point favorites, and the total is 57.Colorado is coming off a one-sided 45-17 loss at the hands of UCLA at Folsom Field last Saturday. Owen McCown threw for 258 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Charlie Offerdahl ran 14 times for 47 yards. Daniel Arias caught four passes for 82 yards. Arizona lost 49-31 to California at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Jayden de Laura was 27 of 45 for 401 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Michael Wiley carried 14 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Cowing also scored once. He hauled in seven receptions for 133 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Buffaloes won the only game between the teams last season, a 34-0 victory in October. Brendon Lewis threw two touchdowns for Colorado.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Buffaloes are averaging 11.8 points per game so far this season, 129th in FBS, and they are facing a Wildcats defense that has surrendered 34.0 PPG (108th). Meanwhile, Arizona has scored 29.3 points a game this season, 81st in the country, and Colorado is allowing 43.3 PPG (126th).The Buffaloes rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in both passing (158.5, 116th) and rushing (102.8, 114th) yards per game. They may find their best opportunities on the ground, as the Wildcats are 125th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (228.3). Against the pass, Arizona is 31st (187.8).Arizona is 22nd in the country in passing yards per game (301.3) and 104th in rushing (125.5). Colorado’s defense could present a challenge through the air, as the Buffaloes are 7th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (144.5). Against the run, the Buffaloes are 131st (323.3).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through two games, McCown has thrown for one touchdown (1 INT) and 155.0 yards per game to lead Colorado in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had zero TDs and 52 yards passing. Deion Smith leads the team in rushing with an average of 43.8 yards a game over four games. He has one touchdown on the ground. Arias is the Buffaloes’ leading receiver with 51.5 yards a game.de Laura has eight passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 287.2 yards per game through four games to lead Arizona. In two home games this season, he has thrown for two TDs (3 INT) and an average of 224.5 yards. Wiley has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 52.5 yards a game through four games. He has three touchdowns. Cowing has been the primary target in the Wildcats’ passing game. He has six touchdowns and a 94.5 yard per game average through four appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Arizona (-900)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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