Key Takeaways
- Both Colorado and West Virginia are 3-6 overall and need to win their remaining games for bowl eligibility.
- West Virginia is a 6.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 52.5 points.
- West Virginia has been successful running the ball, averaging 184 rushing yards per game.
- Colorado is starting freshman quarterback Julian Lewis in this game.
- SportsLine’s model projects under 52 total points and has a strong lean on one side of the spread.
Game Overview
Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes travel to Morgantown to take on Rich Rodriguez and the West Virginia Mountaineers in a crucial Big 12 matchup. Both teams are currently 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play, desperately needing to win their remaining games to achieve bowl eligibility. Colorado has suffered consecutive blowout losses, while West Virginia is coming off an upset victory against Houston. The game is scheduled for noon ET.
Betting Odds and Trends
West Virginia opened as a 4.5-point favorite, but the line has since moved to -6.5. The over/under for the game is set at 52.5 points. West Virginia has a 5-4 record against the spread (ATS) this season, while Colorado is 4-5 ATS.
West Virginia’s Strengths
The Mountaineers, in their first season under Rodriguez, appear to be finding their rhythm. Their upset win over Houston was arguably their best performance of the season. They have also covered the spread in three of their last four games. While quarterback play has been inconsistent, West Virginia has found success on the ground, ranking seventh in the Big 12 with 184 rushing yards per game. Their rushing attack is diverse, with eight players having at least 24 carries this season.
Colorado’s Outlook
The Buffaloes have struggled recently, suffering two consecutive blowout losses. However, earlier in the season, they demonstrated the ability to compete with good teams, including a win against Iowa State and close losses to Georgia Tech and BYU. Colorado is making a change at quarterback, benching Kaidon Salter and starting freshman Julian Lewis, a highly-rated recruit from the 2025 class. Lewis will have a valuable target in Omarion Miller, who has 28 receptions for 521 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Expert Predictions
SportsLine’s projection model predicts that the game will go under the total, with a combined score of 52 points. The model also indicates a strong lean on one side of the spread, suggesting a significant betting opportunity.
