Colorado vs Arizona State Odds Preview: Buffaloes Seek End to Two-Game Skid

The Colorado Buffaloes will look to get back on track Saturday when they visit Pac 12 Conference foe Arizona State.

According to the odds board for college football this weekend, the Buffaloes are favored by 3.5 points (-110) and are -175 on the moneyline. The Sun Devils, meanwhile, are +3.5 on the spread and +155 to win outright. The projected total is 60.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under), down from 63.5.

Read on as we break down this NCAAF matchup in our Colorado vs Arizona State odds preview.

Betting Trends

The Colorado Buffaloes are 3-2 against the spread this season and 5-12 over their last 17 games. The total has gone Over in 12 of the Buffaloes’ last 16 games. Meanwhile, the Arizona State Sun Devils are just 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games, including 2-3 this season. The total has gone Under in four of their last five games. That’s important to remember when assessing the Colorado vs Arizona State odds.

Reality Check for Coach Prime and Co.

After captivating much of college football with their 3-0 start, the Colorado Buffaloes have fallen back to Earth a bit. Of course, playing top 10 teams in the NCAAF rankings back-to-back weeks will do that.

The Buffaloes came up on the short end of a 48-41 shootout with USC in Week 5, dropping them to 0-2 in Pac-12 play. Caleb Williams, the +160 Heisman favorite, threw for a career-high six touchdown passes to outduel Shedeur Sanders.

The Buffaloes, a 21.5-point underdog, scored 20 unanswered points over the final 16:03 for the backdoor cover. Sanders — the son of head coach Deion Sanders — had a big part in that, completing 30 of 45 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns compared to just one interception. He also ran for 50 yards and a score. Through five games, Sanders ranks second in the country with 1,781 passing yards, trailing only Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. He’s also +10000 for the Heisman.

Sanders is still a longshot to win college football’s most coveted award, especially without all-purpose star Travis Hunter, who remains sidelined with a lacerated liver, but at the very least he’s put himself on the map for NFL teams. Whether he ends up leaving school after this season will a story for another day.

After going just 1-11 last season, Colorado has already exceeded expectations in a sense. Remember, the Buffaloes were projected for only 3.0 regular season wins. It’s a credit to Coach Prime, who overhauled the majority of the roster and rejuvenated the fan base in one fell swoop.

The Buffaloes obviously still have flaws. They’ve allowed 36.2 points per game, ranking them 124th in FBS in scoring defense. But the postseason is a possibility for a change. The Buffaloes haven’t been to a bowl game since the COVID-interrupted 2020 campaign. That’ll change with a few more victories down the stretch.

Injuries Add to Insult for ASU

How difficult are things for Arizona State? The Sun Devils’ only win was a 24-21 nailbiter over Southern Utah to kick off the season. The Sun Devils have since lost four straight games, including two in a row to begin Pac-12 play.

Last week, the Sun Devils fell 24-21 to California. A 13-point underdog, they pulled within three points with 9:18 remaining thanks to Trenton Bourguet’s 3-yard touchdown run. But they couldn’t get any closer. Bourguet, making just his second appearance, also threw for 344 yards.

Expectations for Arizona State were low coming into the season — the Sun Devils were projected for 5.0 wins, with the Over juiced to +120 — and they’ll likely continue to be. That’s the cold truth under new head coach Kenny Dillingham. After Colorado, the Sun Devils have three straight games against currently ranked teams: No. 7 Washington, No. 13 Washington State, and No. 18 Utah. Even if they’re able to pick off one of those teams, it’s hard seeing the Sun Devils having any real shot at a bowl.

Instability on offense has hurt. The Sun Devils have already had four — that’s right, four — different quarterbacks attempt at least 16 passes this season. That includes promising freshman Jaden Rashada, who has been out since Sept. 9 with an undisclosed injury. The program is reportedly considering redshirting the former four-star prospect to maintain his eligibility. Bourguet and Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne have also dealt with injuries.

Because of that misfortune, Arizona State ranks near the bottom of FBS in several statistical categories on offense, including scoring. The Sun Devils are averaging only 17.6 points per game. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Colorado vs Arizona State odds.

Handicapping the Game

Deion Sanders’ rebuilding project is just beginning. Colorado has been impressive from the get-go, but the program still has a ways to go before it’s ready to start competing with college football’s upper-echelon teams.

But that certainly won’t matter this week. Arizona State is not only bad but also a bit unlucky, which helps explain its 1-4 start. Without any stability at quarterback, the Sun Devils’ offense has been underwhelming. It may have an easier time moving the ball against Colorado. But will it be enough to knock off the Buffaloes? Unlikely.

Look for Colorado to take care of business on the road.

For college football odds and predictions, betting news and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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