Colorado Buffaloes vs Byu Cougars Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

Colorado Buffaloes vs BYU Cougars December 28th 2024

The Colorado Buffaloes are the slight -2.5 point favorites as they face off against the BYU Cougars in this Big 12 matchup. Kick-off is set for 7:30 ET from the Alamodome in San Antonio, with ABC handling the television broadcast. The over/under line is at 54.5 points. This is a neutral-site game, even though Colorado is technically the home team. The game is being played at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The money line odds are +110 for BYU and -130 for Colorado. Both teams come in with 9-3 records this season.

BYU vs. Colorado Key Information

• Teams: Cougars at Buffaloes
• Where: Alamodome San Antonio
• Date: Saturday, December 28th
• Betting Odds COL -130 | BYU +110 O/U 54.5

The Cougars Can Win If…

BYU enters their Week 1 matchup against Colorado with a 10-2 record. They’ve gone 5-1 on the road and 4-1 at home this season. The Cougars have been favored in six of their 12 games, posting a 5-1 record as the favorite.

BYU’s ATS record stands at 6-4-1, with a +10.7 average scoring margin. They’ve gone 4-2 against the spread on the road and 2-2-1 at home. As the favorite, they are 2-3-1 ATS, while they’ve covered in four of five games as the underdog.

The over/under record for BYU games is 8-3, with an average total of 50.8 points. Their average over/under line is 48.5, and this week’s line is set at 54.5 points.

BYU’s offense is averaging 30.8 points per game, placing them 36th in the nation, and they are ranked 30th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 1. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has thrown for 2,745 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 89, which matches the team’s overall passer rating. BYU ranks 66th in passing attempts per game.

Retzlaff has completed 57.5% of his passes, and the team ranks 106th in third down conversion rate at 35.3%. On the ground, BYU is averaging 170.8 rushing yards per game. LJ Martin leads the rushing attack with 630 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry and scoring five touchdowns. Chase Roberts is the top receiver with 792 yards and three touchdowns on 49 catches.

BYU’s defense heads into this week ranked 17th nationally, allowing just 20.1 points per game. They’ve given up 180.3 passing yards per game, which ranks 29th, and a passer rating of 59.6, the fourth-lowest in the country. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 55.3% of their passes against BYU’s defense.

In their latest game, BYU’s defense allowed 18 points and 253 total yards, including 97 rushing yards on 36 attempts and 156 passing yards. They also forced two interceptions and gave up no passing touchdowns.

• Over their last three regular season games, the BYU Cougars have gone 1-2 straight up. The team’s record vs the spread was just 0-2-1, in addition to an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The BYU Cougars have gone 8-2 over their last ten regular season games. Across these games, their ATS record was just 5-4-1, while posting an over-under record of 8-2.

The Buffaloes Can Win If…

Colorado heads into their Week 1 matchup against BYU with a 9-3 record. They are 3-1 at home and 4-2 on the road this season. The Buffaloes have been favored in six of their 12 games, going 5-1 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +12.5 points per game.

Against the spread, Colorado has an 8-2 record, going 4-0 at home. As the favorite, they are 5-1 ATS, and they’ve covered in all three home games when favored.

Their over/under record is 4-5-1, with an average total of 56.5 points per game. Colorado’s average over/under line is 57.3 points, and this week’s line is set at 54.5 points.

Colorado’s offense has been driven by their passing game, ranking 4th in the nation with 327.2 yards per game. They are 2nd in completions, averaging 28.1 per game, and lead the nation in completion percentage at 73.6%. Overall, they are 19th in scoring, with 34.5 points per game, and we have them ranked as the 18th best offense in college football heading into this week.

Shedeur Sanders has thrown for 3,926 yards, completing 74.2% of his passes, with 35 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 118. Travis Hunter has caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Colorado’s run game has struggled, ranking 129th with just 71.9 rushing yards per game.

Colorado’s defense is coming off an impressive performance, shutting out Oklahoma State 52-0. They allowed just 153 total yards, including 76 rushing yards on 30 attempts and 77 passing yards, while forcing two interceptions.

On the season, Colorado ranks 27th nationally, giving up 22 points per game. They’ve allowed 150.1 rushing yards per game and 204.7 passing yards, with opposing quarterbacks completing 60% of their throws.

• Colorado will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an ATS mark of 3-0 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 1-1-1 in those same games.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Colorado Buffaloes have gone 5-5 straight up. Their record vs the spread sits at 8-2 in these matchups, while posting a 7-2-1 over-under mark.

The Lean

BYU comes into this matchup as the +2.5 point underdogs on the road vs. Colorado. We have BYU winning the game straight-up, with a final score projection of 26-22 in their favor.

With the over/under line set at 54.5 points, our projection of 48 total points suggests that taking the under is the best play. For this week one matchup, we would recommend taking BYU to cover the +2.5 points as the underdog and going with the under on the over/under line.

No. 17 BYU, No. 23 Colorado Set for Big 12 Battle in Alamo Bowl

Two top-25 teams with impressive seasons but unfinished business, No. 17 BYU and No. 23 Colorado, will meet in a rare intra-conference bowl game Saturday night at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The matchup brings together two programs riding vastly different trajectories yet eager to cap their seasons with a statement win.

BYU’s Stellar Turnaround

BYU (10-2) started the season with a bang, winning nine straight games and climbing to No. 6 in the CFP rankings by Week 11. However, back-to-back losses to Kansas and eventual Big 12 champion Arizona State derailed their shot at the conference title.

The Cougars, under coach Kalani Sitake, boast one of the season’s best comeback stories, rebounding from a 5-7 campaign last year. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been instrumental in BYU’s resurgence, throwing for 2,796 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Key Players

• Jake Retzlaff: The leader of BYU’s offense has kept defenses on their toes with his accurate arm and ability to extend plays.
• Chase Roberts: Retzlaff’s top target with 843 yards and four touchdowns this season.
• Darius Lassiter: A key playmaker with 679 receiving yards and four TDs, though he’ll miss the first half due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the Cougars’ last game.

Sitake has high praise for Colorado, saying:

“Colorado has a ton of talent in all three phases. They are a complete team, and we’re excited about the matchup.”

Colorado’s Rapid Rise Under Deion Sanders

Colorado (9-3) has seen a meteoric rise under Deion Sanders, turning a 4-8 team from last year into a 9-win program. The Buffaloes were in CFP contention themselves early in the season before losing three of their last six games.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter lead a star-studded roster. Hunter, who plays on both sides of the ball, has been nothing short of extraordinary, while Shedeur Sanders has put up elite numbers with 3,926 passing yards and 35 touchdowns against just eight interceptions.

Key Players

• Travis Hunter: A once-in-a-generation talent, Hunter dominated on both offense (1,152 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns) and defense (four interceptions).
• Shedeur Sanders: A Heisman candidate himself, Sanders boasts a 74.2 percent completion rate and unparalleled poise under pressure.
• LaJohntay Wester: A reliable receiving threat with 880 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Coach Sanders has confidence in his young squad:

“We have some young talent here that’s going to help this program tremendously. You feel their presence when they walk on the field.”

Game Storylines

Rarity of the Matchup

In an era of mega-conferences, seeing two Big 12 teams face off in a bowl game is uncommon. The Cougars and Buffaloes didn’t meet in the regular season, adding intrigue to this matchup.

Star Power

All eyes will be on Hunter and Sanders, with NFL scouts likely taking a close look at both. BYU, meanwhile, will look to neutralize Colorado’s stars with a balanced offense and opportunistic defense.

Discipline and Depth

Lassiter’s first-half absence could test BYU’s depth in the receiving corps, while Colorado’s late-season struggles have often been tied to defensive lapses and turnovers.

What’s at Stake?

• BYU: A win would give the Cougars an 11-win season and their second consecutive bowl victory, marking a continuation of their resurgence under Sitake.
• Colorado: Victory would give the Buffaloes their first 10-win season since 2016 and cement Deion Sanders’ second-year turnaround as one of the best in program history.

Who will claim the title? Explore College Football Championship Odds & Predictions!

Prediction

This game could come down to execution and depth, with Colorado relying on their star players and BYU leveraging their balance and disciplined coaching. Expect a high-scoring affair, but BYU’s experience and stability may give them the edge late.

Prediction: BYU 34, Colorado 31