The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Colorado Buffaloes meet Saturday in college football action from Folsom Field. The Buffaloes faced off against TCU in their Week 1 opener. In that matchup Colorado powered out a three-point upset win. As for Nebraska, they took on Minnesota in their opener, ultimately falling in a close outcome. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Colorado Buffaloes 

Colorado took on a very good TCU team in their opener matchup back on Saturday. In that one the Buffaloes posted points in each quarter (double-digit points in the final three quarters) on the way to a wild 45-42 upset win. Shedeur Sanders was stellar with 510 yards and four passing scores, while Dylan Edwards caught five balls for 135 yards and three TDs. 

The Buffaloes had four different receivers with 117 yards or more in their opener matchup, so the passing game (565 yards) was firing on all cylinders. Colorado bagged 30 first downs, 34:33 in time of possession and a nice 11-of-17 rate on third- and fourth-down tries. 

Colorado Buffaloes Team Facts

Colorado has lost each of its last six September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Colorado has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Colorado has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Colorado’s last five games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.

Nebraska Cornhuskers 

Over on the Nebraska side, they played a close game versus Minnesota last Thursday. The Cornhuskers were up 7-3 heading into the fourth quarter, but ended up surrendering 10 points from there in a 13-10 defeat. QB Jeff Sims had a rough day on 114 yards, one TD and three picks while also leading the rush with 91 yards on 19 carries. 

The good news for Nebraska is that they out-gained Minnesota 295-251 in total yards and didn’t do a terrible job on defense. The Cornhuskers just couldn’t get much going on the scoreboard though, notching four turnovers (one fumble) seven penalties and a tepid 5-of-11 rate on third downs. Minnesota went 8-for-17 on thirds with just three penalties on the other side in comparison.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Team Facts

Nebraska has lost each of its last 21 games against AP-ranked teams.
Nebraska has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against AP-ranked teams.
Each of Nebraska’s last four September games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Colorado suffered the equal-most losses by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team last season (10).
Colorado suffered the most losses by a margin of 15+ points of any FBS team last season (10).
Nebraska was one of only 17 FBS teams with a better road winning percentage (.500) than home winning percentage (.286) last season (min. 8 games).
Nebraska was one of only 27 FBS teams to lose 2+ games when leading after Q3 last season.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with Colorado. The Buffaloes should be optimistic coming into this one, given Nebraska’s tepid offensive effort and myriad mistakes in the Minnesota game. The Cornhuskers allowed just 55 rush yards and 3.6 yards per play though, so Colorado is going to have to get the running game going in order to control the clock here. Speaking of the Buffaloes, in their opener matchup they surprised a lot of people with their offensive capabilities, and the defense played just well enough to help secure the win. Colorado did give up a whopping 262 rushing yards and 27 first downs, however. Still, so long as the Buffaloes don’t have a big-win hangover I think they’ll do well in game two.