The Colorado Buffaloes and the Oregon Ducks meet Saturday in college football action from Autzen Stadium. Colorado is fresh off last weekend’s matchup versus Colorado State. The Buffaloes ended up powering out an overtime victory to stay undefeated. As for Oregon, they played Hawaii in their last outing. In that one the Ducks kept it rolling with a blowout win. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Colorado Buffaloes

The Buffaloes kicked off the 2023 season with a tricky matchup versus TCU, but everything eventually worked out in a 45-42 win. Colorado posted 565 total yards (510 passing), 30 first downs and one turnover in the victory. Game two against Nebraska went a lot more smoothly for the Buffaloes: a 36-14 win. Colorado posted 454 yards (396 passing) in that one. 

In the Colorado State game last weekend, the Buffaloes had to rally for 14 fourth-quarter points and force double overtime during a wild win 43-35. QB Shedeur Sanders put up 348 yards, four scores and an INT. Xavier Weaver, Michael Harrison and Jimmy Horn combined for 23 catches, 240 yards and four touchdowns to pace the receivers. 

Colorado Buffaloes Team Facts

Colorado has lost each of its last nine road games against conference opponents.
Colorado has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games after coming off overtime.
Colorado has lost the first half in each of its last six games against conference opponents.
Each of Colorado’s last seven games as a road underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

Oregon Ducks

Over on the Oregon side, they absolutely demolished Portland State in their first matchup of the year. The Ducks scored double-digit points in every quarter on the way to an 81-7 win and 729 total yards (381 passing). In game two against Texas Tech, Oregon was in trouble heading into the fourth quarter. The Ducks scored 20 points from there however and took the comeback win 38-30. 

Back on Saturday versus Hawaii, Oregon jumped out to a 34-3 halftime lead and scored in every quarter along the way to a 55-10 blowout win. Bo Nix put up 247 yards and three passing scores, while Noah Whittington and Jordan James combined for 141 rushing yards and three scores. Troy Franklin managed 83 yards through the air and Tez Johnson put up 77 yards and two scores off four catches. 

Oregon Ducks Team Facts

Oregon has won 26 of its last 27 games at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 games at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon has won the first quarter in 19 of its last 25 games against conference opponents at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against conference opponents.
Each of Oregon’s last four September home games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Oregon ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (14.4).
Oregon ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (10.4).
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).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Oregon in this one. You could make a case either way, though. The Ducks did get into a bit of trouble against Texas Tech, ultimately posting 14 penalties for 124 yards in a sloppy effort. That said, the overall numbers on offense were good (472 yards; 10-of-18 on third downs) and the team came up with four turnovers in a gritty win. In the Hawaii matchup, Oregon had very little trouble on either side (despite nine penalties for 76 yards). The Ducks had 560 yards of offense (210 rushing), 8.6 yards per play and 26 first downs. 

As for Colorado, they’re coming off a wild matchup versus Colorado State. The Rams committed a whopping 17 penalties for 182 yards and four turnovers (three picks), but the Buffaloes still needed two overtimes to win. Sure it was a gritty rivalry matchup and still a win, but the stats don’t bode well going into this weekend versus a stellar Oregon team.