Prediction, Pick, and Betting Line for Colorado vs Utah in the Big Noon Kickoff Game

• #17 Colorado is a 10.5-point home favorite over Utah in Big Noon Kickoff action on Saturday, November 16
• The Buffaloes are 7-0 ATS in their last seven contests
• Check out the latest Utah vs Colorado prediction, pick and betting line below

#17 Colorado (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) is already Bowl eligible, but Coach Prime and Co. have much greater aspirations for this year’s squad. The Buffaloes control their own destiny when it comes to the College Football Playoff, and will wind up as one of the final 12 should they win out and claim the Big 12 title.

Colorado has a greater than 73% chance to win each of its final three regular season games according to advanced projections, starting on Saturday against Utah (4-5, 1-5 Big 12). The Buffaloes are big home favorites per the latest College Football odds, as they chase their sixth conference win of the year.

Colorado vs Utah Odds

Colorado is currently favored by 10.5 points, in a contest with a total of 45.5. Both sides of the spread are drawing plenty of action, with the Buffaloes garnering slightly more attention in terms of tickets (57%) and handle (57%).

Total-wise, we have a pros vs joes divide according to the College Football public betting trends. Under 45.5 is garnering only 24% of the wagers, but those bets are accounting for 46% of the total handle.

Kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET at Folsom Field, in Boulder, CO, with Fox providing the broadcast coverage.

Odds as of November 15 at 7:00 pm ET. Be sure to check out the best sportsbook promotions before placing a bet on any Week 12 College Football matchup.

Let’s Go Buffaloes

Colorado’s stock in the College Football Playoff odds is on the rise thanks to strong play on both sides of the ball. The defense is drastically improved from a year ago, while the offense is one of the most potent in the country.

Shadeur Sanders has put himself in the number one overall pick conversation for next year’s NFL Draft by putting up video game numbers. Sanders has thrown for 2,882 yards and 24 TD, against only 6 picks. He ranks top-10 in passing yards, yards per attempt and completion percentage, and has the luxury of throwing to a very skilled receiving corps.

Shedeur Sanders has a 139.0 passer rating when targeting Travis Hunter at WR.

158.3 is a perfect passer rating.

Opposing QBs have a 43.0 passer rating when targeting Travis Hunter at CB.

39.6 is the rating you get for throwing every pass into the dirt. pic.twitter.com/O4iG8ZVHTc

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) November 13, 2024

That group is led by two-way star Travis Hunter, the frontrunner in the Heisman Trophy odds. Hunter is an elite wide receiver and cornerback, boasting 69 catches, 856 yards and 9 TD on one side of the ball, while adding two interceptions, a forced fumble and seven pass break-ups on the other.

Last Saturday’s victory over Texas Tech exemplified his skills and only strengthened his player of the year case. Hunter hauled in 9 receptions for 99 yards and a score, while also playing 53 defensive snaps and only being challenged on one pass attempt.

The Buffaloes defense is yielding 22.7 points per game, down from 34.8 ppg a season ago. They’re racking up three-plus sacks per outing, while yielding just 6.7 yards per pass. As we’ll discuss, the Utes offense doesn’t project to put up much of a fight, as they’re down to their fourth-string QB.

Utah Stuck in a Lost Season

Injuries have completely derailed Utah’s 2024 campaign. The preseason conference favorite lost starting QB Cam Rising and multiple pass catchers early on, and most recently backup quarterbacks Sam Huard and Brandon Rose. That means true freshman Issac Wilson will be under center, and his results have not been pretty.

Wilson is completing 58% of his passes for an average of less than 7.0 yards per throw. He’s tossed just as many interceptions (8) as touchdowns (8), while Utah hasn’t scored more than 14 points in any of his last three outings.

The Utes offense ranks 114th in points per drive and 112th in overall success rate. If they’re going to keep it close, it will be up to the defense to shut down Colorado, as there’s no ceiling with Wilson on the other side of the ball.

Colorado vs Utah Prediction

Utah’s defense is strong once again in 2024, ranking first in points allowed in the Big 12. Unfortunately, that hasn’t translated into positive results. They’ve lost five straight conference games, including a 22-21 heartbreaker last week to #6 BYU in a rivalry showdown.

Yes, four of those losses were by one possession, but none of those opponents boast the same kind of firepower as the Buffaloes. The Utes reached 20 points in only one of those outings, and it’s not far fetched to envision them letting down this week, after the crushing defeat last Saturday.

Colorado’s Last 5 Games

Colorado on the other hand, has been a cash cow for spread bettors. They’ve covered seven straight, including four as a favorite. Five of those games were double-digit victories, including three wins by 19+ points.

The Buffaloes have incentive, talent and form on their side. Back Coach Prime and Co. yet again to cover at home.

• Pick: Colorado -10.5 (-110)

The highly anticipated Big Noon Kickoff game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Utah Utes is set to take place this weekend, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Both teams have had strong seasons so far, making this matchup a must-watch for college football enthusiasts.

When it comes to predictions for this game, it’s shaping up to be a close one. Colorado has been on a hot streak, winning their last three games and boasting a solid defense that has been able to shut down opposing offenses. On the other hand, Utah has also been performing well, with a strong offense led by quarterback Cameron Rising.

In terms of picks, it’s a tough call. Both teams have shown that they have what it takes to come out on top, so it could go either way. However, if we had to choose, we might give a slight edge to Colorado based on their recent performances and defensive prowess.

As for the betting line, oddsmakers have Colorado as a slight favorite, with the Buffaloes currently sitting at -3.5. This means that if you bet on Colorado to win, they would need to win by at least 4 points in order for you to cash in on your bet. On the other hand, if you bet on Utah, they would need to either win the game outright or lose by less than 4 points for you to win your bet.

Overall, this game is sure to be an exciting one, with both teams hungry for a win. Whether you’re rooting for Colorado or Utah, be sure to tune in to the Big Noon Kickoff game to see which team comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup.