Pac-12 Football 2017: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 9

5. Colorado Buffaloes

The Cal Bears come into their match-up against the Colorado Buffaloes with a 4-4 record. Cal will travel into Boulder to play on Folsom Field against the 4-4 Buffs. In 2017, Colorado has lost to Washington, Washington State, UCLA and Arizona. Cal has lost to USC, Oregon, Washington and Arizona but defeated the Wazzu Cougars. While Cal has pulled off the upset over Wazzu, Colorado hasn’t won a big game yet.

I can see the Cal Bears upsetting the Buffs. Colorado is a favorite per the S&P+ rankings. The Buffs are ranked 87 while the Bears are ranked 94. Cal however, is on the uptick while Colorado is struggling. Cal is led by quarterback Ross Bowers who has thrown for just under 2000 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Phillips Lindsay has run for over 1,000 yards adding 10 touchdowns on the ground. Steven Montez has been used less than Bowers but has thrown for 12 touchdowns on six interceptions.

Cal’s defense is ranked higher than Colorado’s at this time which is hilarious considering where they were in 2016. Post Jim Leavitt defense in Colorado hasn’t been very good to the Buffaloes. The Bears have drastically improved their defense, up from 107 to end 2016 and now in the 70’s.