After back-to-back embarrassing blowout losses, Colorado will look to right the ship this weekend on the road against West Virginia. The tiny ray of optimism for Colorado fans is that the game brings the starting debut of freshman QB Julian Lewis.
Lewis flashed his potential off the bench in the second half of last week's loss to Arizona. Deion Sanders said it was "common sense" to start Lewis this week against the Mountaineers. At 3-6, a look at the future is all Colorado fans can hope for at this point.
Not all 3-6 records are built the same. West Virginia comes into Saturday's matchup with the same record as Colorado, but following five straight losses, the Mountaineers scored a major road upset a week ago by beating Houston.
It was the signature victory that Rich Rodriguez needed in the first season of his second stint as the West Virginia head coach. The Mountaineers appear to be trending up at the same time the Buffaloes are trending down.
It'll be a clash of divergent paths in Morgantown. Coach Prime and Colorado hope to keep the couch burning to a minimum.
Betting odds for Colorado at West Virginia
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 6am ET on Saturday, November 8th.
Spread: Colorado +6.5
Over/Under: 53.5
Moneyline: Colorado +184
Final Prediction for Colorado at West Virginia
The good news for Colorado is that West Virginia's defense has been just as bad as its own. Colorado ranks 109th in the country in yards per play defensively; West Virginia is just a few spots ahead at No. 104.
That should mean there are quite a few points scored in this matchup. It should mean that Lewis - in his first career start - will see some favorable matchups that he can take advantage of. That is, of course, assuming whoever the hell is calling plays puts him in a position to succeed.
It's hard to have any faith in Colorado right now. The last two losses have been completely disheartening, erasing every bit of optimism that came with the upset home win over Iowa State right before the bye week.
If Colorado were at home, I'd have a little more confidence in its ability to get the win. As is, on the road, in a 10am MT kickoff, it just feels like a game the Buffaloes find a way to lose, though they shouldn't get blown out - that, in and of itself, feels like progress.
Pick: West Virginia 37, Colorado 34