Colorado vs. UCF prediction & betting tips - September 28 | College Football Week 5
A thrilling Big 12 Conference game awaits inside FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Colorado Buffaloes are on the road to take on the UCF Knights in a battle of solid conference foes on Saturday.
The Buffaloes (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) are on a two-game winning streak after Saturday's exciting 38-31 overtime home win against the Baylor Bears. Senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished 25-of-41 passes for 341 yards with a pair of passing touchdowns and 19 rushing attempts for 26 yards (1.4 yards per carry) with a rushing touchdown.
The Knights (3-0, 1-0) are on a three-game winning streak after a 35-34 road victory on Sept. 14 against the TCU Horned Frogs. Senior quarterback KJ Jefferson did well as he went 13-of-22 for 230 yards with three passing touchdowns while also running nine times for 46 yards (5.1 yards per attempt).
Colorado vs. UCF prediction
The betting odds in this game are harsh to the Colorado Buffaloes, who should be able to keep the game close. The Buffs have a decent running game defense, ranking 83rd in the nation with 150.8 rushing yards against per game.
That is the strength of the UCF Knights, with running back RJ Harvey tallying eight rushing touchdowns up to this point. If Colorado can force UCF to have KJ Jefferson drop back 30+ times, they will be in the driver's seat as he is not comfortable doing that.
The Knights' pass rush has been severely lacking, as the team has combined for just a single sack in the first three games. That will allow quarterback Shedeur Sanders to have a clean pocket and get the ball to his playmakers. Wide receiver Travis Hunter has been the top target for the offense.
Even though the defense is going to game plan at keeping the football out of his hands, Hunter is averaging 10.0 receptions in his previous three games and has five total touchdowns this year. It is difficult to imagine he is kept out of the end zone in this matchup as well.
Expect the Buffs to keep this game close and for Travis Hunter to get his sixth touchdown of the season.
Colorado vs. UCF betting tips
Tip 1: Colorado Buffaloes +14 (-112)
Tip 2: Travis Hunter Anytime TD (-150)
Tip 3: Colorado Buffaloes +7.5 1st Half (-108)
Colorado vs. UCF head-to-head
This is the first time that the Colorado Buffaloes and the UCF Knights play against one another.
How to watch Colorado vs. UCF
The game between newly minted Big 12 Conference opponents will be airing live on FOX for people wanting to watch on linear television. If a person wants to stream the game, it will be available on the Fox Sports App, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo TV, and Hulu + Live Sports.