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CHAMPS SPORTS
BOWL
Tuesday, December 27th 5:00 PM ET - Citrus
Bowl Stadium - Orlando, FL
Colorado Buffaloes
vs. Clemson Tigers
This game will be more about
outside stories than the actual game itself.
Colorado fired head coach Gary Barnett after
all sorts of off the field problems and the
bad finish to the season that included an
annihilation at the hands of Texas in the
Big XII Championship. The Buffaloes are going
after Dan Hawkins of Boise St. nut they will
be coached by defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz
for this game. Colorado lost its last two
games by a combined score of 100-6.
Clemson isn’t without
its own problems although the Tigers’
are in much better shape. Quarterback Charlie
Whitehurst had shoulder surgery on December
2nd, but he is making a quicker recovery that
expected and will be at full strength for
the bowl game. Clemson had arguably the toughest
luck season in the country as its four losses
were by a combined 14 points with two of those
coming in overtime another on a last minute
touchdown pass and the last by a single point
to Georgia Tech.
Colorado’s fade at the
end of the season is certainly a cause for
concern but this is a veteran team that still
wants to go out on top no matter the circumstances.
The Buffaloes offense disappeared over the
last three games, averaging only 7.3 ppg after
putting up 30.3 ppg in its first nine games.
The total offense dropped from 47th to 62nd
in those three games while the scoring offense
dropped from 46th to 58th. Colorado had trouble
running the ball all season long but it was
horrible down the stretch, going over 100
yards only twice in its final seven games.
Clemson had one of the most
underrated defenses in the country simply
because they went about their business. The
Tigers allowed 400 or more total yards only
once this season, 407 yards to Duke of all
teams, as they finished 31st in scoring defense.
It was even better in the points department,
as they finished 16th with 18.3 ppg allowed
and allowed more than 20 points only once
over their last eight games. The passing efficiency
defense was 26th in the country and will be
going up against the strength of Colorado.
Offensively, Clemson was not
as strong as its defense but it was still
a formidable unit. The Tigers finished 51st
in total offense bit they did improve as the
season progressed. After averaging only 329.3
ypg through their first four games, the Tigers
put up 420.3 ypg in their final seven games
and that average would put them in the top
30 in the country. Scoring points consistently
was a problem as during the last eight games
Clemson scored 13 or fewer points three times
but also scored 35 or more three times as
well.
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The Buffaloes defense shut
down as quickly as the offense did down the
stretch, allowing at least 30 points in their
last three games including that 70-debacle
against the Longhorns. Colorado finished 44th
in total defense after coming into the Texas
game ranked 33rd just showing how bad the
defense was. The rushing defense went from
2nd in the country to 9th in just one game
showing just how good Texas really is or that
Colorado has overachieved. The passing defense
is weak, ranked 95th in the nation.
Colorado easily dropped its
last three games against the number and the
Buffaloes were just 1-5 ATS on the road this
season. With their awful finish, the Buffaloes
will likely be the dog in this game where
they went 0-3 ATS this year. Clemson meanwhile
went 4-1 ATS on the road and closed the season
with four straight covers. While going 6-0
against the number as a dog, Clemson was just
2-3 ATS when favored. Colorado went 6-2 over
down the stretch but the teams combined to
go 7-4 under in road games.
CHAMPS SPORTS
BOWL
Orlando, Florida
Dec. 27, 5 p.m. ESPN
Florida Citrus Bowl: 65,438
Clemson (7-4) vs. Colorado (7-5)
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Matt Fargo is a documented member of The Professional
Handicappers League.
Read more of his articles and get his premium
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