College Football: Houston Bowl

[Tinfish]

Bowl Record (7-5)

Line:Colorado –3 vs UTEP

Part of me wanted to take UTEP because I love the job Mike Price is doing there…but I just can’t. Colorado is the sixth best team coming out of the Big 12 this year. And after losing to Texas the Buffs have played pretty well winning their last 3 games to get into the Big 12 title game. And didn’t UTEP just lose to Tulsa to end the year?

Obviously the Buffs played a much tougher schedule so I really try not to look to much at the numbers. Because if I did I would’ve layed a shitload on Miami vs ISU yesterday. UTEP gets the fourth or fifth tier players in the state of Texas and surronding areas. The Buffs obviously have drawn pretty good talent from the Big 12 region. Will UTEP be able to hold up especially up front against the Buffs? The CU OL avgs 300 pounds and 6’4. They easily out weight the UTEP DL by 30 pounds a piece.

Also running behind that line is the third all time leading rusher in CU history Bobby Purify. Purify has been hurt all year long, and has had plenty of time to finally heal. I expect the UTEP defense will see a heavy dose of Purify. A healthy Purify is improtant as that opens up Klatt in the passing game. The Buffs are 4-1 this year when Purify rushes for 100 yards. The only loss was an OT loss against Aggie in always tough College Station.

Teams from the WAC are usually built to stop the pass, not the run. Just loook at UTEP’s last three games and they’ve given up an avg of 215 rushing yards, and an avg of 31 points each game. And we are talking about Rice, SMU, and Tulsa here.

I think the Buffs will eventually wear down UTEP, and their size and speed advantage across the board will get them the win.

My Play: Colorado -3