Colorado Buffaloes vs. Colorado State Rams: College Football Predictions, Picks and Odds 9/16/23

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have set the college football world on fire with their 2-0 start. Using a transfer-heavy group, Coach Prime has reset the program in his first year and has it nationally ranked.

No. 18 Colorado will look to stay hot as a big favorite on Saturday when it faces off against in-state rival the Colorado State Rams. Here is a look at the betting lines for the matchup, courtesy of BetMGM on Sept. 14:

Spread: Colorado -23.5
Moneyline: Colorado -2000; Colorado State +950
Over/Under: 60.5 points

Things have gotten feisty in the lead-up to the contest, as Colorado State Jay Norvell is attempting to trash talk the ultimate trash talker.

It will be interesting to see how Deion Sanders and his group responds, but what shouldn’t be discounted is its possible effect on the spread.

In other situations Coach Prime may have been content to run out the clock if Colorado had a big lead in the fourth quarter, but now he could choose to rub it in Norvell’s face by continuing to put points on the scoreboard.

While the talent is the most important variable when betting on Colorado vs. Colorado State, the extra motivation from these quotes has me backing the Buffaloes and switching my pick on the over/under point total.

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Colorado State Rams Prediction

Colorado has uncorked one of the finest passing games in the country through the first two weeks. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is the son of Deion Sanders, has thrown for 903 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions in wins over TCU and Nebraska, averaging more than 10 yards per pass attempt.

He is getting buzz as one of the top quarterback prospects heading into next year’s draft and should be able to keep it rolling against an inferior Colorado State defense.

Travis Hunter is doing amazing things this season, playing both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, just like Coach Prime did at times in the NFL.

Hunter has 14 catches for 192 yards on offense this season along with seven tackles, two pass deflections and an interception on defense.

Colorado State gave up 556 total yards to Washington State in a blowout loss in its opener. The Rams scored 21 points in the final quarter to make the final score of 50-24 somewhat respectable but they did not stand a chance.

Now the Rams face a better team, and no matter how much Jay Norvell squawks to motivate his players, this game is not going to end well for them.

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes have stunned the country with their hot start and there will be more fireworks in this one as Colorado cruises to the victory.

Prediction: Colorado 48, Colorado State 17

How to Watch Colorado Buffaloes vs. Colorado State Rams

The Colorado Buffaloes will host the Colorado State Rams at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. The game can be seen on ESPN.