Saturday Night Football: Colorado vs Cincinnati Prediction, Pick & Odds

• Colorado vs Cincinnati is featured on Saturday Night Football on ESPN
• Deion Sanders and the Buffs are 6-point favorites over the Bearcats in this Big 12 clash
• Read below for Colorado vs Cincinnati prediction, odds, and betting analysis

The Colorado Buffaloes (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) host the Cincinnati Bearcats (5-2, 3-1) in a crucial Big 12 showdown on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Folsom Field in Boulder. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. ET, with the game being aired on ESPN.

The Buffaloes enter the contest as 6-point favorites, and the over/under is set at 56.5 points. Will Deion Sanders and the Buffs pick up another huge win in conference play and keep their Big 12 Championship hopes alive?

Here is a look at our Colorado vs Cincinnati prediction, along with Saturday Night CFB odds.

Colorado vs Cincinnati Odds

The Buffaloes are favored by 6 points, with an implied probability of 70.9% to win the game based on the moneyline odds. The Cincinnati Bearcats are the underdogs, with a 33.7% implied probability of pulling off the upset.

Colorado’s strong play at home (3-0 record, outscoring opponents by 18 PPG) and their recent momentum are the driving factors behind these odds. The Buffs have rattled off wins in four of their last five games. Cincinnati, despite their solid 5-2 record, has faced a much weaker strength of schedule so far.

The over/under line is set at 56.5 points, meaning bookmakers expect a high-scoring affair between two potent offenses. Colorado ranks 2nd in the Big 12 in red zone TD efficiency (76%), while Cincinnati features standout QB Brendan Sorsby.

Odds as of 7 pm ET on October 26, 2024, at Bet365 Sportsbook. Unlock the Bet365 promo code to bet on Saturday Night CFB.

Buffaloes Betting Analysis

Colorado’s success this season has been largely due to the play of quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has thrown for 2,268 yards, 19 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Sanders is complemented by two-way star Travis Hunter, who leads the team with 51 catches for 604 yards.

Hunter remains a top contender in the Heisman odds; however, his status for the game is worth monitoring. He played on a limited basis last week due to a sore shoulder. Hunter is trending towards playing Saturday, but it’s unlikely he will be at 100 percent.

Travis Hunter will not play the rest of Colorado-Arizona game after reaggravating his injury suffered last week.

Buffs are sitting Hunter as a precautionary reason pic.twitter.com/ybPOyQhiBS

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 19, 2024

The Buffs’ defense has shown significant improvement this year, allowing just 21.9 points per game and 366.6 total yards on 5.4 yards per play. They have been particularly strong in the pass rush, recording 16 sacks over the last three games.

If the CU defense can pressure Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby and force turnovers, they should secure another conference victory in front of their home crowd.

Bearcats Betting Analysis

Cincinnati’s offense has been efficient through the air, with quarterback Brendan Sorsby throwing for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Sorsby ranks second in the Big 12 in passer rating, trailing only Shedeur Sanders.

The Bearcats also boast a strong tight end in Joe Royer, who leads all Big 12 tight ends with 32 catches and 387 yards. Cincy’s tight ends will have their work cut out for them facing a CU defense that hasn’t allowed more than 40 yards to the position group in any game.

Former 4-star TE Joe Royer is a beast

(via @FrontOfficeNews) pic.twitter.com/XBjmpkM7Hm

— Rivals (@Rivals) October 19, 2024

On defense, the Bearcats have been opportunistic, ranking third in the Big 12 with 17 sacks. Linebacker Jared Bartlett leads the way with 4.5 sacks, while defensive end Eric Phillips has four.

If Cincinnati can generate pressure on Shedeur Sanders and disrupt Colorado’s passing game, they have a chance to cover the spread or even pull off the upset.

However, the Bearcats’ defense has struggled against the run, ranking 112th in the nation in Rush Success Rate allowed. This might spell trouble against a Colorado team that has recently emphasized its ground game. The Buffs rushed the ball 42 times against Baylor and 39 times against Arizona.

Colorado vs Cincinnati Prediction: Will Buffs Cover Team Total?

For my Colorado vs Cincinnati prediction, I’m looking at the college football team totals. I predict the Buffs’ talented offense, led by Sanders and Hunter, will exceed their team total of 30.5 points.

Colorado has surpassed 30 points in five of their seven games this season. The Bearcats allow 153.1 rushing yards per game, which plays right into the hands of a CU offense that has been relying more on the run game lately and averages 73.6 plays per game (31st in FBS).

Colorado Native RB Charlie Offerdahl joining the party 🔥

🎥 : @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/EK4IId6T1j

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) October 19, 2024

Colorado also thrives at home in Boulder, going 3-0 at Folsom Field this season and outscoring opponents by an average of 18 points per game. The high altitude tends to wear down visiting teams, and the Buffaloes have used that to their advantage, especially in the second half of games.

I believe Colorado, playing in thin air, will be able to maintain their fast-tempo offense for the full 60 minutes and score in bunches against a Cincinnati defense that has struggled to get off the field. More plays mean more scoring opportunities, and the Buffs have the firepower to capitalize.

Saturday Night CFB Pick:

• Buffaloes Team Total Over 30.5 Points (Play up to 32.5)

This Saturday night, football fans are in for an exciting matchup as the Colorado Buffaloes take on the Cincinnati Bearcats. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.

The Colorado Buffaloes are currently 2-0 on the season and are coming off a dominant 34-17 victory over Texas A&M. Quarterback Brendon Lewis has been impressive so far, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns in their last game. The Buffaloes’ defense has also been solid, holding opponents to just 17 points per game.

On the other side, the Cincinnati Bearcats are also 2-0 on the season and are coming off a convincing 42-7 win over Murray State. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has been a standout player for the Bearcats, throwing for 408 yards and five touchdowns in their last game. The Bearcats’ defense has been equally impressive, allowing just seven points per game.

In terms of odds, the Colorado Buffaloes are currently listed as underdogs with a +6.5 point spread. The over/under for the game is set at 48.5 points.

In terms of prediction, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have strong offenses and defenses, making it difficult to predict a clear winner. However, the Cincinnati Bearcats have looked slightly more dominant in their first two games and have the home-field advantage. I predict that the Bearcats will come out on top in a close game, with a final score of 28-24.

Overall, Saturday night’s matchup between the Colorado Buffaloes and Cincinnati Bearcats is sure to be an exciting one for football fans. Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this highly anticipated showdown.