Colorado vs. Colorado State – Football Game Prediction, Pick, Spread, Odds, Where to Watch, TV, Live Stream

Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes face rival Colorado State on Saturday night for a Rocky Mountain showdown. This will be only the second time since 2019 that the Buffaloes and Rams have faced off.

Last season was one that will go down in history. The two teams combined for 917 yards and 78 points as Colorado State forced then-No. 18 Colorado into two overtimes before the Buffaloes escaped with a 43-35 victory. Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi made his debut with 367 yards passing and three touchdowns, and Shedeur Sanders continued his rise in the power conference with 348 yards passing and four touchdowns of his own.

Fowler-Nicolosi and Sanders are both back for the 2024 edition, although the situation is a little different. Colorado isn't entering as a highly ranked, heavily favored, rising (at least perceived) powerhouse. The Buffaloes already have their backs against the wall after a 28-10 loss to Nebraska in Week 2, but a win against the Rams can make up for a lot.

Colorado State, meanwhile, rebounded from a Week 1 loss to Texas with a 38-17 win over Northern Colorado in Week 2. The win against Colorado could give the Rams some needed momentum as they look for their first bowl appearance since 2017. CSU would also like to end its six-game losing streak to the Buffaloes.

Colorado vs. Colorado State: What you need to know

Horton vs. Hunter is worth the price of admission: Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton — who was injured against Northern Colorado — versus Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter is a matchup that could happen on NFL Sundays, so we're lucky to be given such a significant matchup so early in the season. Horton had 16 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown against the Buffaloes last year, but Hunter has made it his mission to consistently block the other team's best offensive force. Grab some popcorn.

Chance for Colorado’s offensive line to recover: Colorado State has struggled to find a pass rush after losing Mohamed Kamara, who had two sacks against Colorado last year, to the NFL. The Rams have only recorded one sack in their first two games, coming in the season opener against Texas. Colorado, which has struggled at both lines of scrimmage during Sanders' tenure, allowed Nebraska to get to quarterback Shedeur Sanders six times. Suffice it to say, something has to give in Saturday's game. Maybe the Buffaloes can start to impose their will and recover a little.

Last chance to see the Rocky Mountain Showdown for now: Whoever wins on Saturday will have bragging rights for at least the next five years. Although the two teams used to play each other annually, COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020 season and complications from conference realignment led to a different approach to scheduling Colorado vs. Colorado State. The two played last year and will of course play each other this year, but there will be a break until 2029-30 for another home-and-away game, with Colorado State hosting first. That on-and-off schedule will continue through 2038, with six games scheduled between Saturday and then.

How to watch Colorado vs Colorado State live

Date: Saturday, September 14th | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Canvas Stadium – Fort Collins, Colorado

TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (free trial)

Colorado vs. Colorado State Prediction, Tips

Colorado is 2-5 under Sanders outside of friendly Folsom Field. We've already seen how things can get out of hand for the Buffaloes on the road this season. Last week against Nebraska, they had nine penalties for 104 total yards and couldn't find a rhythm as their first five offensive plays ended in three punts, a turnover on downs and a pick six. It will also be interesting to see how Sanders' team responds to adversity. The 2023 season has shown us that the wheels can quickly come off when the losses start piling up. I'm not tipping a Colorado State win, but the Rams should be able to keep the game close. Selection: Colorado State +7.5

What college football picks can you confidently make in Week 3? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all based on a proven computer model that has returned over $2,000 in profit since its inception — and find out.