Colorado Buffaloes (3-1) vs. UCF Knights (3-0)
September 28, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: UCF Knights -15.5 / Colorado Buffaloes +15.5; Over/Under: +64.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Colorado Buffaloes and UCF Knights meet Saturday in week 5 college football action at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Here’s a UCF vs Colorado Prediction. This article will include a UCF vs Colorado Pick.
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Preview
The Colorado Buffaloes just beat Colorado State and Baylor, and they play Kansas State next. Colorado has lost 4 of its last 5 road games. Shedeur Sanders is completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 1,340 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. have combined for 759 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while LaJohntay Wester has 18 receptions.
The Colorado Buffaloes ground game is averaging 68.8 yards per contest, and Micah Welch leads the way with 87 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Colorado is allowing 23.5 points and 359.3 yards per game. Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig leads the Colorado Buffaloes with 30 tackles, Dayon Hayes has 2 sacks and Preston Hodge has 1 interception.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights just beat Sam Houston and TCU, and they play Florida next. UCF looks for its first 4-0 start since the 2018 season. KJ Jefferson is completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 563 yards, 5 touchdowns and 1 interception. Kobe Hudson and Randy Pittman Jr. have combined for 405 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Myles Montgomery has 1 reception.
The UCF Knights ground game is averaging 375.7 yards per contest, and RJ Harvey leads the way with 448 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, UCF is allowing 17 points and 302.7 yards per game. Deshawn Pace leads the UCF Knights with 19 tackles, Nyjalik Kelly has 1 sack and Mac McWilliams has 1 interception.
Why the UCF Knights will win
- The favorite has won each of Colorado’s last nine games.
- Colorado has lost 13 of its last 14 road games against conference opponents.
- Colorado has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six September games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UCF has covered the spread in each of its last three games.
- Colorado has lost the first half in each of its last 10 road games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UCF’s last five September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of Colorado’s last seven road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCF ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (18.3).
- UCF ranks 1st among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (375.7).
- Colorado ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Colorado ranks 130th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (68.8).
UCF vs Colorado Prediction
The UCF Knights are the more complete team and should be decent sized favorites at home. I’m also interested to see how Colorado responds after such a miraculous comeback win over Baylor. Is this a letdown spot? Regardless, more than two touchdowns with Colorado are hard to turn down given the offensive firepower. Say what you want about Colorado overall, but the team can score points, and It’s enough to keep the Buffs in games. Also, Colorado was 5-1 ATS as double-digit underdogs last season. UCF is also 94th in pass defense, which isn’t ideal when going up against a pass happy Colorado offense.
I’ll grab the points with Colorado on the road.
