:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69844322/usa_today_16689094.0.jpg)
Following a season-opening 35-7 victory over Northern Colorado, the Colorado Buffaloes turn their attention to an old Big 12 foe in week two, the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies moved up a spot to No. 5 in the AP Poll following a 41-10 drubbing of Kent State in their opener. The last time the Buffaloes knocked off a top-five team was 2007, when they upset then No. 3 Oklahoma 27-24. The Buffs are 6-3 all-time against the Aggies, which includes a 4-1 record in Boulder. Saturday’s contest will take place at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver (1:30 p.m. MT, FOX).
ODDS, OVER/UNDER, & MONEYLINE (per VegasInsider.com consensus):
Spread: Texas A&M -17
1st Half Spread: Texas A&M -10
Over/Under: 50 ½
Moneyline: Texas A&M -900; Colorado +600
PREDICTION:
Wagering on early season non-conference matchups like this can be tough, especially after both teams posted easy victories over their opponents in week one. The Aggies got off to a sluggish start against the Golden Flashes and managed only 10 points in the first half. They also turned the ball over five times in the 31-point win, which included three picks by freshman quarterback Haynes King. King replaced three-year starter Kellen Mond, a third-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings. Don’t expect either to happen Saturday in Denver.
With each team easing in new signal callers, the Buffaloes and Aggies combined for 584 rushing yards in their season openers. With that being said, I would not be surprised to see each team employ a heavy ground attack in this contest. If we did learn anything from last week’s games, it’s that A&M’s rush defense is suspect after they surrendered 226 yards to Kent State. And with Jarek Broussard, Alex Fontenot and company, Colorado has one of the deepest backfields in the country. There’s also a 5,000-foot elevation difference between College Station and Denver, which could affect the Aggies in the second half. As a result, I’m confident the Buffaloes will compete in this one, but not confident enough to take them on the moneyline.
Beginning with 1,000 “beans”, I’m going to ease into this season by laying 50 on the Buffaloes getting 17 and another 50 on the under.