[tps_title]Stanford at Colorado[/tps_title]
[tps_header]10 a.m., Pac-12 Networks[/tps_header]
STANFORD (7-1, 6-0) AT
COLORADO (4-5, 1-4)
11 a.m., Pac-12 Networks
Pointspread: Stanford favored by 16.5 points
— The Cardinal opened this week as a 16-point favorite.
— Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, the nation’s leader in all-purpose yardage, figures to be intent on putting on a show in the state where he grew up. McCaffrey looks to post a seventh straight 100-yard rushing effort and help the No. 9 Cardinal stretch their win streak to eight. The son of former Stanford and NFL star Ed McCaffrey, Christian grew up in suburban Denver when his father – a three-time Super Bowl champion – played for the Broncos.
— Colorado tried its luck unsuccessfully to persuade McCaffrey to play for the Buffaloes. “We definitely tried to recruit him but I think he was probably going to Stanford all along there for a minute,” Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said.
— McCaffrey is averaging 244.3 all-purpose yards — no other FBS player is above 220 — and only four players have averaged more than 200 in the Pac-12 since 1978. He is 10th in the nation with 132.5 rushing yards per game and is also the team’s leader in receptions (25) and receiving yards (310). McCaffrey has totaled 936 rushing yards in the last six games.
— The Buffaloes will be hard-pressed to stop him since they have the Pac-12’s third-worst rushing defense, allowing 201.6 yards per game. That figure is at 244.6 in conference play.
— Stanford is enjoying its longest win streak since ending 2012 by winning eight in a row. The Cardinal are the only team unbeaten in Pac-12 play and are ranked 11th by the College Football Playoff selection committee. Last Saturday’s 30-28 win at Washington State gave Stanford a 2 1/2-game lead in the North Division over the Cougars and Oregon.The Cardinal have three unranked conference foes left to polish off before a marquee season finale against No. 8 Notre Dame.
— Colorado was outscored by Stanford 96-7 in two Pac-12 matchups in 2011 and 2012. MacIntyre took over the Buffaloes the next season. Colorado has been more competitive, nearly ending a 19-game losing streak to ranked opponents with last Saturday’s 35-31 loss at then-No. 24 UCLA.
— Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liafau will look to target Nelson Spruce, the conference’s all-time leader with 267 receptions. Spruce is second in the Pac-12 with 63 this year. Liafau was 37 of 57 for 312 yards with two interceptions last week. Spruce had season highs of 11 catches and 90 yards.
— While Stanford ranks third in the conference with 221.8 rushing yards per game, Colorado is fourth with 196.9. The Buffaloes have six players who have rushed for between 212-489 yards. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan is eighth in the nation with 9.34 yards per attempt. Hogan threw for 86 yards last Saturday for the lowest total of his career as a starter, and his streak of six straight games with a touchdown pass ended.
Stanford is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Stanford is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Stanford’s last 6 games
Stanford is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Colorado is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
My pick: Stanford will win and cover
Steve Rivera’s pick: Stanford will win and cover
Anthony Gimino’s pick: Stanford will win but Colorado will cover
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