The Colorado State Rams and the Colorado Buffaloes meet Saturday in college football action from Folsom Field. Colorado State last played Washington State in their season opener, ultimately falling in a blowout. As for Colorado, they took on Nebraska last weekend. In that one the Buffaloes won by 22 points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Colorado State Rams 

The Rams have just one game in the books so far, an opener matchup versus Washington State back on September 2. Colorado State was down 17-3 by halftime in that one and gave up points in every quarter on the way to a 50-24 defeat. QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi had 210 yards, two scores and a pick in the loss. Justus Ross-Simmonds added 123 yards with a TD off five catches. 

Colorado State couldn’t do much on either side of the ball during their opener loss. The Rams had 357 total yards (37 rushing), 18 first downs, 5-of-14 on third-down tries and two turnovers. On the other side, Colorado State allowed 556 total yards (90 rushing), 30 first downs and 11-of-17 on third downs. The Rams had a lot to work on during the early bye week. 

Colorado State Rams Team Facts

Colorado State has lost each of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Colorado State has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games against opponents from the Pac-12 Conference.
Colorado State has lost the first half in each of its last five games against opponents from the Pac-12 Conference.
Nine of Colorado State’s last 10 games against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Colorado Buffaloes 

Over on the Buffaloes’ side, they had a tricky matchup against TCU in their opener, and the result was a thriller. Colorado scored double-digit points in each of the final three quarters in a 45-42 win. QB Shedeur Sanders had 510 yards with four touchdowns, and Dylan Edwards led the receivers with 135 yards and three scores off five grabs. 

In the Nebraska game, the Buffaloes started slow but ultimately scored double-digit points in the final three quarters during a 36-14 win. Sanders posted 393 yards with two touchdowns, and Edwards led the rush again with 55 yards. Xavier Weaver bagged 10 catches for 170 yards and a score in a nice receiving performance. 

Colorado Buffaloes Team Facts

Colorado has won each of its last five games against Colorado State.
Colorado has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Each of Colorado’s last six games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Colorado suffered the equal-most losses by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team last season (10).
Colorado suffered the most losses by a margin of 15+ points of any FBS team last season (10).
Colorado State was one of only 14 FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading at HT last season.
Colorado State ranked 20th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.9).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stick with Colorado here. The Buffaloes had their passing game working right out of the gate in the opener, ultimately posting 565 yards (510 passing), 30 first downs and 34:33 in time of possession during their win over TCU. Colorado gave up a whopping 262 rushing yards and 27 first downs on the other side, though. In game two the Buffaloes had 454 total yards (396 passing) by game’s end, along with 24 first downs and a nice 10-of-18 on third-down tries. Colorado generated just 58 yards on the ground however, along with nine penalties for 80 yards. The pass defense was great (119 yards); the rush defense (222 yards) not so much. Still, the Buffaloes generated four turnovers in a solid overall showing and shouldn’t have too many issues in this one.