Colorado heads to Evanston on Saturday with a real chance to make this one uncomfortable for Northwestern.
The Buffaloes are 2-0 after wins over Georgia Tech and Weber State, while Northwestern comes in at 1-0 after beating South Dakota State. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Wildcats favored by 3.5 points, which lines up with the sense that this should be a tight one from the start.
Colorado’s run game is the clearest reason to think the Buffaloes can hang around - or more. Northwestern coach David Braun has already singled out Colorado’s rushing attack, saying stopping it will be a major challenge for the Wildcats. That matters, because if Colorado can keep leaning on the ground game, it can ease the burden on the passing attack and keep its offense balanced.
That part of the equation could decide the whole thing. Colorado has the backs to keep pressure on Northwestern, and if the offensive line performs the way it did against Weber State, there should be room to work. The Buffaloes may even have a path to more than 200 rushing yards if they control the line of scrimmage.
There’s also reason to believe Colorado won’t be fazed by the setting. The Buffaloes already showed they can handle themselves away from home, and they’ve done it in different ways this season. They won a close one with a defense that kept fighting, then turned around and showed their offense can erupt while their young quarterback looked like a veteran.
That kind of resilience showed up in the final seconds of their first 2026 matchup against Georgia Tech, when Colorado bounced back and refused to fold. That same edge should travel with them to Northwestern.
The Wildcats do have the advantage of playing at home, and they’ve also had extra time to get ready. Their bye week gave them a chance to clean up issues, including penalties, and give injured players more time to recover.
Still, Colorado has enough talent and momentum to keep this game alive into the fourth quarter. If the Buffaloes avoid penalties, take care of the ball and handle their own assignments, they can stay inside the spread and possibly do even better.
The betting total has hovered in the high 40s, with BetMGM setting it at 48.5 points, and there’s a case for this game finishing under that number. Colorado put up 52 points against Weber State, but this matchup should be a much tougher climb. Northwestern’s home field and extra prep time only add to that.
If both teams commit to the run and avoid explosive plays, the scoring could stay in check. Colorado still has the offensive momentum, but Northwestern has the setup to slow things down. If the Buffaloes establish the run early, stay steady on defense and keep the game under control, they have a chance to make things interesting at Martin Stadium.
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For Sanders, the issue has never been just cosmetic. The prosthetics are intended to help with balance and gait while he is standing on the sideline, part of an ongoing effort to manage the pain and limitations that have followed his foot amputation. He has been open about that journey, and this latest milestone underscores how much of his recovery still happens in the details most people never see. [Read more 🡒]