Free College Football Picks Today: Colorado Buffaloes vs Oregon Ducks 11/5/22

The No. 8 University of Oregon Ducks (7-1, 5-0 Pac-12) and their powerful rushing offense travel to face the University of Colorado Buffaloes (1-7, 1-4 Pac-12), one of the country’s softest ground defenses, at Folsom Field on Saturday.

The Ducks are 31.5-point favorites, and the total is 61.5. Oregon is coming off a convincing 42-24 win over California at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium last Saturday, their seventh straight victory. Bo Nix threw for 412 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Noah Whittington ran 10 times for 66 yards. He added five receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. Kris Hutson caught four passes for 67 yards. Colorado lost 42-34 to Arizona State at Folsom Field last Saturday.

J.T. Shrout was 13 of 34 for 222 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Deion Smith carried 24 times for 111 yards and a touchdown. Jordyn Tyson also scored once. He caught five receptions for 115 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Ducks won the only game between the teams last season, a 52-29 victory in October. Anthony Brown threw three touchdowns for Oregon. Brendon Lewis tossed three touchdowns for Colorado, as Alex Fontenot added two TDs (1 rush, 1 rec).

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Ducks are averaging 42.4 points per game for the season, fifth in FBS, and they are facing a Buffaloes defense that has surrendered 39.1 PPG (129th). Meanwhile, Colorado has scored 16.3 points a game this season, 126th in the country, and Oregon is allowing 28.4 PPG (81st).

The Ducks rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (235.8, 9th), while they are 23rd in passing yards (290.0). They have an advantageous matchup on the ground, as the Buffaloes are 130th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (237.3).

Against the pass, Colorado is 88th (246.5).Colorado has been one of the nation’s least productive passing teams, averaging 182.3 passing yards per game (114th), while ranking 109th in rushing yards (113.0).

Oregon’s defense has been most beatable through the air, as the Ducks are 119th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (280.3). Against the run, the Ducks are 15th (106.0).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through eight games, Bo Nix has thrown for 20 touchdowns (5 INT) and 277.6 yards per game to lead Oregon in passing. In four away games this season, he has six TDs (5 INT) and an average of 319.5 yards passing.

Bucky Irving leads the team in rushing with an average of 71.0 yards a game over eight games. He has two touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Troy Franklin is the Ducks’ leading receiver with 74.4 yards a game and five TDs.

J.T. Shrout has five passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 121.5 yards per game through six games to lead Colorado. In three home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 149.3 yards.

Deion Smith has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 50.6 yards a game through seven games. He has two touchdowns. Jordyn Tyson has been a key target in the Buffaloes’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 47.6 yard per game average through seven appearances.