McCaffrey’s health hangs over Cardinal’s tilt
Stanford survived last Saturday’s contest against the Fighting Irish without the manifold talents of Christian McCaffrey. Can it do the same vs. Colorado?
David Shaw’s squad may not have a choice. The Cardinal’s Heisman Trophy hopeful remains questionable after sustaining an undisclosed injury on Oct. 8. Nonetheless, the school will host the Buffaloes this afternoon at 3 p.m. ET. Online sports book BetDSI opened Pasadena’s finest as 3.5-point favorites entering Week 8. The over/under is 49.5.
Despite McCaffrey’s absence, Stanford knocked off Notre Dame 17-10. Sophomore Bryan Love stepped into the void at running back and racked up a career-best 129 yards. Yet the idea of fending off a rising Colorado group sounds considerably less palatable if McCaffrey, who set an FBS record for all-purpose yards in 2015, can’t go.
For their part, the Buffs simply want to keep rolling on offense. Mike MacIntyre’s troops posted another powerful performance a week ago, whipping Arizona State 40-16. Tailback Phillip Lindsay led the way, amassing 219 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. In fact, Colorado has been held below 20 points only once this year.
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Irrespective of the home-field advantage, the Cardinal must start faster. Shaw’s all too aware of the fact that his team’s last first-half TD came on Sept. 10. With or without McCaffrey, however, the Buffaloes’ defense surrenders a fair share of chunk gains.
SATURDAY NCAA FREE PICK: COLORADO/STANFORD OVER 49.5 POINTS