The Colorado Buffaloes welcome the Baylor Bears this Saturday night at Folsom Field in the Big 12 opener for both teams. Kickoff for this college football Week 4 matchup is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with Fox on the broadcast. Colorado is favored by one or two points on the spread, depending on the book, with the over/under line shifting up from 52.5 to 54.5 points.
Both teams are at 2-1 on the season. Colorado handled Colorado State 28-9 last Saturday after taking a 28-10 loss in Nebraska the previous week. Baylor has shut down Air Force and FCS program Tarleton State at home, but the Bears lost in Utah in their sole road game so far this season.
Baylor went 2-7 in conference play last season with the youngest roster in the Big 12. The Bears have a revamped coaching staff and returned several starters on offense this season. Backup quarterback Sawyer Robertson was solid in relief of Dequan Finn (ribs) against Air Force, and it’s unknown which passer will draw the start at Colorado.
Read more details about the matchup and lines at college football betting sites, along with a sportsbook welcome promo below.
Colorado slightly favored over visiting Baylor in Big 12 clash
How Colorado could win and cover the spread
The Buffaloes simply have the most talented players on the field in quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, a stellar cornerback and wide receiver. Both seniors are Heisman Trophy candidates, capable of taking over the game while electrifying the home crowd.
Colorado seemed to find some balance offensively in its last game by springing Micah Welch for 65 yards on nine carries against Colorado State. The Buffaloes don’t necessarily need their best performance to outscore Baylor, since the Bears’ offense has been a weak point in recent years and lacks the overall playmaking ability of Colorado’s roster under coach Deion Sanders.
How Baylor could win the game instead
Colorado sports a top-heavy roster, and the Buffaloes have had trouble blocking this season, leading to a high pressure rate and low success in the running game. Baylor’s defense has been its strength thus far. The Bears are yielding the fewest passing yards per game (73.5) in FBS, and Colorado is passing at the highest rate (70.1%) of any FBS program through three games this season.
On the other side of the ball, Colorado has struggled to stop the run at times, and Baylor has a stable of running backs, led by Dawson Pendergrass and Richard Reese, capable of rolling up yardage to take the air out of the ball and out of the stadium at Folsom Field.
