Colorado is heading back to Folsom Field with plenty to fix and a hefty betting number hanging over its matchup with Utah.
The Buffaloes get the undefeated Utes in a Big 12 clash that already looks steep on paper. Utah has surged to 5-0 after its 41-24 win over Kansas, and that kind of form has turned the Utes into a clear favorite against a Colorado team trying to steady itself after a rough stretch and a change at quarterback.
The spread reflects that gap. Utah is sitting around -15.5, while Colorado is getting +15.5. In practical terms, that means Utah has to win by 16 or more for backers to cash, while Colorado would cover by pulling the upset or staying within 15 points.
The moneyline tells the same story. FanDuel Sportsbook has Utah at -780, while Colorado has been listed around +500 to +550 depending on the sportsbook and timing. The Utes are the expected winner, but the payout for a Colorado upset would be much bigger.
Utah’s offense has been a major reason for the team’s perfect start. Against Kansas, quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns and also made plays with his legs. Wayshawn Parker added 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns, giving the Utes another dangerous weapon out of the backfield.
That balance is part of what has made Utah so difficult to slow down. The Utes have shown they can score consistently and do it in different ways, while Colorado has struggled to find any real offensive rhythm in recent weeks.
The Buffaloes come into this one at 2-3 after losses to Northwestern, Baylor and Texas Tech. Their latest setback came against Texas Tech, where they had trouble turning open chances into points. Colorado did put up 52 points against Weber State, but that production hasn’t carried over into the tougher games.
If Colorado is going to make this interesting, it will need cleaner football on both sides. The home field edge at Folsom Field could help, but the Buffaloes have to keep mistakes down and string together smoother drives if they want to keep the score inside the spread.
The total is another number worth watching. It’s around 50.5, so the over would need at least 51 combined points, while 50 or fewer would land on the under.
Utah’s scoring output makes that line intriguing, especially after the 41-point showing against Kansas. Colorado’s recent totals, though, make the over less certain. The Buffaloes scored only seven points against Texas Tech, so their ability to contribute meaningfully to the total is a major question.
For now, Utah enters with the edge in the spread, the moneyline and the better season to this point. Colorado’s task is straightforward, if difficult: play a cleaner, more complete game and find a way to make the Utes work for it.
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Buffs Let A Stronger Start Slip Away At Stanford
Colorado got the kind of opening round that leaves plenty of room to climb, but not much room for error, at the Stanford Intercollegiate. After day one at the Stanford Golf Course, the Buffaloes sat in 14th place at 15-over-par, a spot that reflected more missed chances than disaster in a field where Stanford surged to the top at 13-under.
Maya McVey provided the steadiest footing for Colorado, carding a 1-over 72 to lead the Buffaloes individually. With the tournament just getting started, the challenge now is whether the rest of the lineup can turn a shaky opener into something more competitive as the rounds continue. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Are One Win From A Breakthrough With NCAA Stakes
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Heidi Crncans singles run ended in the round of 16 against Utahs Sara Akid, leaving the doubles pairing as Colorados last chance to leave the tournament with a major breakthrough. Alexin and Bubalo now wait for their Saturday opponent, with the championship match set to determine whether the Buffs can cap the event with an NCAA-clinching win. [Read more 🡒]
Former Big 12 Quarterback Just Added Intrigue To Colorados Utah Week
Diego Pavia brought an unexpected layer of attention to Colorados buildup for Utah week, showing up around the program to back Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. The former Vanderbilt quarterback, who finished as a Heisman finalist, spent time around the team and even gave viewers a peek behind the curtain through Twitch, adding another dose of buzz to a week already carrying Big 12 stakes.
Pavia also offered his take on Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson, a useful outside perspective as the Buffaloes try to sharpen themselves for one of their biggest conference tests. He sounded optimistic about Colorados path in the Big 12 championship race, and his presence around the team only heightened the sense that this week has a little extra meaning beyond the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]