Arizona sits in a classic 'letdown' spot against Colorado

Heading into their clash at Folsom Field, Arizona and Colorado are trending in different directions. Jedd Fisch has won two games in a row against ranked teams and has the program bowl-eligible for the first time since 2017. Colorado has lost five out of their last six games and has kissed goodbye most of the early season momentum.

Even so, Geoff Schwartz describes Saturday’s game in Boulder as a “letdown spot” for Arizona. It comes right in the middle of a tough stretch in the schedule, with some focus certainly being on next week’s game against future Big 12 foe Utah.

Colorado may not be playing their best football but it has certainly shown the capability of pulling off wins in the past.

“Arizona just beat two ranked teams at home,” Schwartz said during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “Next week, they host a ranked Utah team. This is like the little sweet spot here where you take Colorado plus the points. I don’t love it. Colorado has covered two straight weeks with touchdowns in the final minutes when they shouldn’t have covered either of those games. But this is a supreme letdown spot.

“On the road, early kickoff, Pac-12 Network. Colorado is not very good. I think Arizona wins this game… but I think Colorado covers this game.”

Arizona will head into the game favored by 10.5 points on the road. Through nine games this season, the Wildcats are 9-1 against the spread. Their only loss was against Stanford, where they did not cover a near two-touchdown spread on the road — potentially a similar scenario as Saturday’s game against Colorado.

Schwartz does believe at the end of the day, Arizona is going to wind up on the winning side.

Deion Sanders and his program have hit a bit of a wall in recent weeks, especially at the line of scrimmage. He attempted to change play callers but ultimately, Shedeur Sanders is getting hit too much. Defensive coordinator Charles Kelly has been animated on the sideline as well, not very happy with his unit.

Colorado has not been afraid to play for the entire four quarters, though. Games have been interesting at the end, causing them to cover the spread. Another backdoor cover is what Schwartz is predicting here in what could be a scary moment or two for Arizona as they look to continue their good run of form.