The Denver Postap Kyle Fredrickson breaks down Week 4 of the college football season, including three story lines to follow from each in-state matchup.
No. 7 Washington (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12) at Colorado (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12)
8 p.m. Saturday; Folsom Field
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: KDSP-AM 760, KOA-AM 850 (joined in progress)
Vegas odds: Washington is favored by 11 1/2 points. The over/under is set at 51 1/2 points
Opponent spotlight: The reigning Pac-12 champions won all three of their nonconference games by a combined score of 141-37. The seventh-ranked Huskies were picked in the preseason to win the league’s North Division.
Three story lines
1. Will the CU secondary rebound? The Buffs allowed three deep touchdown receptions (33, 52 and 27 yards) against Northern Colorado. Now, CU faces a Heisman-contending quarterback in Jake Browning.
2. Pay attention to every Washington punt return. Dante Pettis is dangerous. He’s returned a punt for a touchdown in all three of the Huskies’ nonconference games. CU would be smart to avoid punting in his direction at all costs.
3. CU quarterback Steven Montez appeared make major strides last week in decision making inside the pocket. He’ll need his best performance to date as the Buffs’ full-time starter to beat another talented Washington defense under head coach Chris Petersen.
No. 22 San Diego State (3-0, 0-0 Mountain West) at Air Force (2-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
5 p.m. Saturday; Falcon Stadium
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KVOR-AM 740
Vegas odds: San Diego State is favored by 3 1/2 points. The over/under is set at 47 1/2 points.
Opponent spotlight: The defending Mountain West champions have already beaten two Pac-12 foes (Arizona State and Stanford). It has made the Aztecs an early season trendy pick to sneak into a New Year’s Six Bowl.
Three story lines
1. No Donnel Pumphrey? No problem. SDSU’s run game continues to flourish even without the FBS all-time rushing leader. Now led by senior Rashaad Penny, the Aztecs averaged 240 yards rushing in nonconference.
2. Air Force fell 29-16 at Michigan last week, and along the way, suffered expected bumps and bruises that come with facing Power 5 competition. The Falcons will need to be at full strength to hang with the Aztecs.
3. SDSU has beaten Air Force in seven consecutive meetings. They last met in the 2015 Mountain West championship game, a 27-24 victory for the Aztecs.