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Colorado Buffaloes (1-10) will host (#14) Utah Utes (8-3) on Saturday evening. Utah had its four-game winning streak snapped last Saturday at the hands of Oregon Ducks 20-17. Star quarterback Cameron Rising struggled for the Utes, throwing three costly picks while not recording a touchdown. Amidst Rising's struggles, TE Dalton Kincaid still shone with 11 receptions for 99 yards. The difference-maker turned out to be an Oregon field goal early in the fourth quarter, with the Ducks holding the Utes scoreless in the final frame.
Utah vs. Colorado Betting Odds
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Colorado have lost five straight games by a combined 165 points. They were most recently blown out by the Huskies 54-7. Quarterback J.T. Shrout, who had started the last five games since taking over from the injured Owen McCown (son of Josh), finished 6-of-18 for 120 yards with a touchdown and a pick. The Buffaloes allowed 575 yards from scrimmage while losing the turnover battle 2-1. They trailed 33-0 in the first half, their third straight week of giving up 26 or more points in the first two quarters.
Tale of the Tape
At 8-3, Utah is one win away from reaching nine-plus wins for the 11th time in 18 seasons under head coach Kyle Whittingham. The Utes have a balanced offensive attack led by two-year starter Cam Rising. Rising has tossed 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions this season, a slight drop from his 20 TD five INT campaign in 2021. They are top four in the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game (205.2) and yards per carry (5.1). The Utes are just shy of the conference lead in yards per play at 7.1.
Defensively, Utah are the conference leader in passing yards allowed per game at 213.8. They have also done a fantastic job against the run, permitting only 115.7 rushing yards per game on 4.1 yards per pop.
Colorado are in danger of posting its sixth one-win season in 112 years of existence. Head coach Karl Dorrell got canned after an embarrassing 0-5 season, and former OC Mike Sanford has not faired much better, going 1-5 since taking over. One bright spot for the Buffaloes this season has been WR Jordyn Tyson. The freshman leads the Pac-12 in yards per reception at 21.4. However, Colorado are dead last in the conference in passing yards per game (177.5) and completion percentage (49.4%). They are currently averaging a Pac-12-worst 3.4 yards per carry and two turnovers per game.
Their anemic offense is just as poor as their defense. Colorado allow nearly three touchdown passes for 263.4 yards per game and a 65.7% completion percentage. This should come as no surprise, but they also permit a conference-worst 232.5 rushing yards per game. Don't expect the Buffs to get any turnovers, as they force less than one per game.
Utah vs. Colorado Prediction
Colorado have not been able to cover the spread in a month as they spiral into irrelevancy. The offense is a disaster, and the defense can't stop a nosebleed. Meanwhile, the Utes have been atop the conference standings all season and ooze star power on both sides of the ball. We don't expect the Buffs to suddenly start playing competitive football, and Utah should easily handle them in the final week of the regular season.
Prediction: Utah -29.5 (-110)
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