Colorado St. vs. Colorado Prediction
Is Colorado giving up too many points when it takes on in-state rival Colorado State tonight in Denver at 10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
155 Colorado State vs. 156 Colorado
Friday, August 30, 2019
10PM ET – Sports Authority Field
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Colorado is the favorite in this game, as the Buffaloes are getting odds of -13.5 points against Colorado State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 56.5 points. The public betting currently has 76 percent going on Colorado as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Colorado begins with new coach
Colorado is beginning a new era in the program. Mike MacIntyre is gone after a 5-7 record in 2018 with a 2-7 mark in the Pac-12. Mel Tucker gets his first head coaching position after spending the past three years as the Georgia defensive coordinator. The Buffaloes were 5-7 against the spread last season and 8-4 with the under.
The Buffs had an offense that averaged 27.3 points per game last season. Steven Montez returns to lead the offense this year after throwing for 2,849 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 238 yards and four scores. He has his leading receiver in Laviska Shenault Jr. back. LSJ has 1,011 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. Colorado also returns four starters on the offensive line this year. Defensively, Colorado gave up 27.3 points and 380.3 yards per game. The Buffaloes have five starters back on defense, three of which come in the secondary.
Colorado State needs a big win
Colorado State is coming off a rough 3-9 record in 2018 with a 2-6 MWC record. The Rams are entering their fifth season with coach Mike Bobo. Colorado State was 5-7 against the spread while putting up an 8-4 record with the under.
The Rams bring back 12 starters from the 2018 team. Offensively, Colorado State averaged just 22.8 points per game last year despite having the 13th-best passing attack in the nation. Collin Hill took over late in the season at QB and threw for 1,387 yards and seven touchdowns with seven interceptions. Hill loses a lot of weapons in the leading two receivers and two leading rushers. The Rams also have just two starting linemen back, but neither are tackles. Defensively, Colorado State gave up 36.8 points and 451.9 yards per game last season, which ranked near the bottom of the nation. State has six starters back on defense, including three on the defensive line.
College Football Betting Trends
Colorado
The Buffaloes are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven Friday games and 3-0-1 ATS in their last four against MWC opponents.
Colorado State
The Rams are just 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games overall and 0-7-1 ATS in their last eight neutral-site games.
Prediction:
Even in the up-and-down times of the Colorado program, the Buffaloes have fared pretty well in this rivalry game. Colorado has won four straight while going 3-0-1 against the spread. They have won each of the last three meetings by at least 14 points. The Rams look a little lost right now while the Buffaloes have a new coach. I don’t know if that will lead to some struggles on offense tonight, but I suspect Colorado will have a lot of enthusiasm in Denver against a rival. I like the Buffaloes to emerge and continue their hot streak in this series.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Colorado -13.5
