The battle of Colorado comes to you from Fort Collins on Saturday evening, as the Colorado Buffaloes (1-1) and Deion Sanders take a short trip to face the Colorado State Rams (1-1 as well so far this 2024 season). Colorado vs. Colorado State starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game is on CBS and streaming live on YouTube TV, Paramount+ and other streaming platforms.
Colorado is a consensus 7.5-point favorite over Colorado State, meaning Deion Sanders' team is expected to win by just over a touchdown against the Rams. The over/under is currently 58.5 points scored, with Colorado a -280 favorite to win outright and Colorado State a +230 underdog on the moneyline to pull off the upset victory at home.
Colorado lost to Nebraska 28-10 last week, failing to cover as 6.5-point underdogs in an 18-point loss. Colorado State comes into Saturday off of a 38-17 win over Northern Colorado, although the Rams did not cover the 31.5-point spread in Week 2.
Let's dive into my Colorado vs. Colorado State predictions and my college football picks and predictions for Week 3 on Saturday.
Colorado vs. Colorado State Odds, Picks, Prediction
| Colorado Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -105 | 58.5 -110o / -110u | -280 |
| Colorado State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -115 | 58.5 -110o / -110u | +230 |
- Colorado vs. Colorado State Point Spread: Colorado -7.5
- Colorado vs. Colorado State Over/Under: 58.5 points
- Colorado vs. Colorado State Moneyline: Colorado -280, Colorado State +230
- Colorado vs. Colorado State Pick: Colorado Over 33.5
My Colorado State vs. Colorado best bet is on the Buffaloes' team total over with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
CSU vs. Colorado Football Preview
The clash of the Centennial State lived up to expectations in 2023 as head coach Deion Sanders entered the Rocky Mountain Showdown for the first time. The Buffaloes were riding high after upsets of TCU and Nebraska, looking ahead to Pac-12 play when Colorado State came to Boulder.
Head coach Jay Norvell took a jab at Sanders and the Buffs, adding fuel to an already venomous rivalry. A double-overtime affair served as one of the more thrilling games of the season as the Rams took a one-possession lead into the fourth quarter before ultimately losing.
Fast forward to this season, and both teams find themselves desperate for a win early in the year.
Colorado State was beaten in every facet against Texas, allowing 52 points while never getting a point on the board in Austin during Week 1. The Rams bounced back against Northern Colorado in Week 2, but 17 points from the Bears is a reminder that the defense isn't a finished product.
A different story is brewing for Sanders and the Colorado program. The offensive line continues to struggle at any down and distance, and turmoil is sure to hit the locker room after the latest criticism from the team captain.
Coach Prime is now involved with allegations of telling the band when and when not to play a song after a Buffaloes touchdown, adding drama to a program that was dominated by Nebraska.
Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium will be the site for the Rocky Mountain Showdown, which is sure to provide consumers with a high-quality college football spectacle.
Colorado Football
Sanders was unhappy with the offensive line personnel from day one as the head coach of Colorado.
After multiple transfer portal cycles and changes at the offensive coordinator position, the offensive line still can't keep defenders off of quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The fourth-year senior has seen 28 pressures on 85 drop backs through two games.
Sanders has yet to commit a turnover-worthy play under pressure. The bulk of the issues come from both starting tackles — Tyler Brown and Jordan Seaton — who have combined to allow 20 of the 28 pressures, along with 16 quarterback hurries.
☠️ 6 sacks
☠️ 10 TFL
☠️ Pick-6
☠️ FRThe Blackshirts dominated Shedeur Sanders and Colorado last night.#B1GFootball x @HuskerFootballpic.twitter.com/SGXbDMMsm1
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 8, 2024
Colorado has completely abandoned the run, choosing to pass on 63% of its snaps. The Buffaloes are outside the top 100 in numerous offensive categories so far this season, including Offensive Momentum Killer. This statistic derives from offenses that record turnovers, missed field goals, sacks and penalties.
Despite the pressure through two games, Sanders has been an accurate thrower, ranking 28th in on-target rate. Slot receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. and wideout Travis Hunter have put up electric numbers in yards per route run but have become the singular focus of a one-dimensional offense.
Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston hasn't improved the Colorado defense from last season. Havoc, opponent quality drives and on-target rate allowed have all soared outside the top 100 in early rankings.
If there's a shining star in the stat sheet, Colorado ranks 16th in tackle grading thanks to just nine missed tackles on 144 opponent snaps.
The Buffaloes will be expected to stop a number of deep threat options from the Colorado State offense. Coverage and opponent pass explosive numbers indicate it could be a long night for the Colorado defense.
Colorado State Football
Colorado State enters its third game with a 59% rush rate on offense, a number Norvell has never experienced in his coaching career. The Rams have averaged a 42% rush rate over the previous two seasons, as the coaching staff may have kept an explosive passing attack off the record against Texas and Northern Colorado.
Running back Justin Marshall leads the way with 35 attempts and an average of 3.3 yards after contact.
The heavy rush attack has limited exposure to quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and potentially the best wide receiver in college football, Tory Horton. While Horton has just 11 targets through two games, the future NFL receiver has been busy scoring on special teams.
First touch of the game: House Call 🏠
This man is SPECIAL!
📺 Altitude Sports/MWN#Stalwart x #AggieGrit🔶 pic.twitter.com/Ne7PmMBPJ0
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) September 7, 2024
The big news with Horton is a potential injury. Norvell commented that his groin is sore, but a return against Colorado is hopeful. Without Horton, the Colorado State passing attack loses its ability to create explosives plays.
Slot Dylan Goffney hasn't shown improvement this season, averaging less than 1.1 yards per route run dating back to 2023.
While a wide receiver is never worth more than a point to the spread, the potential loss of Horton turns Colorado State into a rush-first team that puts an under in consideration.
While the Colorado State rush defense is respectful, the Texas passing attack dug the Rams into a hole. The Rams' defense is outside the top 130 in defensive passing success rate and coverage grading, per PFF.
However, safety Jack Howell has thrived in 47 snaps of pass protection with three pass breakups. Floating from the box to the slot and free safety positions, the senior is sure to be assigned to Hunter or Horn when Norvell elects to go man coverage.
There are a number of items to handicap the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
First, I have to start with the protection of Sanders. The Rams are 112th in pass rush grading, but more importantly, the question remains around the edge position.
Nearly all of Colorado's offensive line issues have come from the tackle position, putting the focus on Colorado State edge defenders Mukendi Wa-Kalonji and Gabe Kirschke.
Wa-Kalonji has yet to create a pressure in 48 snaps, while Kirschke recorded a sack against Texas and two pressures against Northern Colorado. Colorado State's best pass rusher through two games is James Mitchell, but he should be neutralized against Colorado's competent interior offensive line.
Assuming Sanders' pressure rate takes a dip with no expectations from Colorado State on the edge, the Rams must focus on coverage assignments. Defensive coordinator Freddie Banks runs zone coverage on 75% of opponent passing attempts with a heavy flavor of Cover 3.
Colorado State may be resigned to rushing four, providing minimal blitzes and using three deep defenders to contain explosives. With the bulk of the missed tackles coming from both starting linebackers and safety Henry Blackburn, this could be a long evening for the Colorado State defense.
The biggest question on offense revolves around the health of Horton. After more than 3,400 yards last season, Fowler-Nicolosi has attempted just five passes beyond 20 yards through two games this season.
The Colorado State offense will transform into a rush-first offense without Horton. That would be beneficial news to a Buffaloes defense that's performed much better against the rush than the pass.
The Action Network power ratings call for Colorado to be favorited by a touchdown. If Horton plays, a total that resides between the key numbers of 55 and 59 is sure to take steam north.
Without Horton, Colorado State will run a rush-first offense that averages a slow 30.2 seconds per play.
The better bet is the known quantity on the Colorado side of the ball. Sanders isn't expected to be pressured from the Rams' edge positions, while coverage is a concern for Colorado State.
Pick: Colorado Over 33.5 Team Total
How to Watch: Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 14 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS / Paramount+, YouTube TV |
Colorado State vs. Colorado Betting Trends
- 51% of the bets and 52% of the money are on Colorado State to cover the spread (+7.5).
- 36% of the bets and 86% of the money are on the over.
- Only 8% of the bets but 87% of the money are on Colorado State to win outright as an underdog on the moneyline.
Colorado State vs. Colorado Weather
