Utah vs. Colorado picks, predictions: Week 12 CFB odds, best bets
Before the season began, Utah was the favorite to win the Big 12 championship with 3-1 odds.Instead, the Utes have suffered through an injury-ravaged season on their way to a 4-5 record.Saturday’s opponent, Colorado, has stormed to a 7-2 record and is the odds-on favorite to win the conference. Utah will need to have a short memory and recover quickly from last week’s heartbreaking home loss in the Holy War against BYU.
Colorado opened as a 9.5-point favorite in this game, with the market backing the Buffs and pushing the spread to -11.5.It sat at 11 as of Friday afternoon.Where does the value lie in this Big 12 matchup? Let’s dive in.(12 p.m.
ET, FOX)The Utes started their third quarterback of the year, Brandon Rose, last week, and he found success.However, Rose suffered a torn lisfranc ligament, ending his season.Utah will now turn back to true freshman Isaac Wilson, who has had an up-and-down campaign with eight passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. Wilson will be without wide receivers Money Parks and Mycah Pittman and tight end Brant Kuithe, who led the team with six touchdowns this year.
Interim offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian will have an uphill battle to generate consistent production with this injury-ravaged group.One of the season’s biggest surprises has been Colorado’s defense, as first-year defensive coordinator Robert Livingston’s havoc-minded 2-4-5 scheme has produced at a high level.The Buffaloes are in the top 30 in EPA/play allowed, defensive finishing drives and havoc rate.Shedeur Sanders has had an excellent season under center for the Buffaloes, with 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
He’s PFF’s fourth-highest-graded passer and ranks third in adjusted completion rate.Travis Hunter leads the team with 69 catches for 856 yards and nine touchdowns as the current Heisman favorite.Colorado’s offensive line has significantly improved from last year, and the Buffs rank 42nd in PFF’s pass-blocking grades.Sanders...