Two teams that underperformed in 2021 will try to put those seasons behind them on Friday when the TCU Horned Frogs travel to Boulder to play the Colorado Buffaloes. TCU ended last year with a 5-7 record, continuing a bowl game drought that started in 2019. Meanwhile, Colorado went 4-8 overall after a disastrous 1-4 start.
The Horned Frogs come in as a substantial favorite thanks to an explosive offense, but the Buffaloes boast an improved defense and play well at home, which will make this a closer game than many expect. Find out more in our college football picks and predictions for TCU vs. Buffalo on Friday, September 2.
TCU vs Colorado odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
When sportsbooks first posted odds for this game back in late May, TCU started as a solid 7.5-point favorite, but that number has now moved as high as -14 in the Horned Frogs’ favor. The total has been more stable, opening at 54.5 and rising only slightly to 55.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
TCU vs Colorado predictions
Predictions made on 8/31/2022 at 2:40 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2022 college football season, here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can bet $5 and get $150 in free bets! Sign Up Now
B) New users at DraftKings can get a deposit bonus up to $1,000. Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of College football promo codes for 2022.
TCU vs Colorado game info
• Location: Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
• Date: Friday, September 2, 2022
• Kick-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
TCU vs Colorado betting preview
Weather
Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.
Key injuries
TCU: Corey Wren RB (Out).
Colorado: RJ Sneed WR (Probable), Nigel Bethel Jr. CB (Probable), Grant Page WR (Questionable).
Find our latest College football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Horned Frogs are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games. Find more NCAA betting trends for TCU vs. Colorado.
TCU vs Colorado picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
While both of these teams are coming off poor seasons, the public has a much higher opinion of TCU. That may well come down to offensive firepower, as senior quarterback Max Duggan leads a Horned Frogs offense that can score points thanks to an explosive core of receiving talent.
But it’s uncertain whether Duggan will even get the majority of the playing time on Friday. Redshirt freshman Chandler Morris will get a chance to prove he deserves the starting job after transferring from Oklahoma prior to the 2021 season, and fellow redshirt Sam Jackson may also see time. New head coach Sonny Dykes says he wants to see all three in action in the hopes of someone establishing themselves as a clear starter.
That level of uncertainty makes me uncomfortable giving up two touchdowns, especially with two young and unproven quarterbacks in the mix. They’ll be going up against a Colorado defense that returns six starters and plenty of other veterans that saw playing time last season.
In particular, the Buffaloes feature a sizable and talented defensive line led by upperclassmen Jalen Sami and Na’im Rodman. With an improved front seven, the Colorado defense will do better than the mediocre 28.5 points it allowed per game last year. It should also harass a TCU offensive line that gave up 28 sacks last season.
As poor as Colorado was last season, it did win its final three home games, while TCU lost its final four away contests. With a veteran Colorado defense hounding three different Horned Frogs quarterbacks, the Buffaloes should force turnovers and keep the game close. We’re taking Colorado and the points in this matchup.
Prediction: Colorado +14 (-110 at Caesars)
Over/Under analysis
There’s no way around it: the TCU defense was an abject disaster in the 2021 season. The Horned Frogs allowed 37.8 ppg to fellow FBS teams, good for just 120th in the nation. Dykes won’t help matters, as he is an offensive-minded coach that will do more to aid in TCU scoring points than preventing them. The Horned Frogs may benefit from the addition of Joe Gillespie as defensive coordinator, but that will take time to show, if it ever does.
The Colorado offense wasn’t much to speak of in 2021, scoring a measly 17.3 points per game in its FBS contests. But the Buffaloes should see some marked improvement in their running game thanks to the addition of Alabama transfer Tommy Brown at tackle. The graduate student played in four playoff games with Alabama, and should dominate against weaker competition. Several running backs should see carries on Friday, led by senior Alex Fontenot, who scored five times for the Buffaloes last season.
Put it all together, and we have a couple of matchups that seem sure to generate points. TCU will score in bunches, but will also be turnover prone thanks to its three-quarterback rotation.
That will set up Colorado with short fields for some quick scores of its own. The Horned Frogs will do little to impede even a mediocre Buffaloes offense, while Colorado will only be able to slow the TCU offense, not stop it.
While the books have posted a fairly high total, TCU loves to play in shootouts, and that shouldn’t change under Dykes. This isn’t the kind of game that will threaten the century mark, but I’m confident in betting Over 55.5 on Friday.
Prediction: Over 55.5 (-109 at BetRivers)
Best bet
TCU should win on Friday, but it won’t be nearly as easy as the inflated line suggests. The Horned Frogs have yet to prove they can play any defense at all, and their offense will be chaotic under a three-quarterback rotation that hasn’t sorted itself out and lacks a clear leader.
An improved Colorado front seven will take advantage of that disarray, especially in front of a raucous crowd on opening night. I expect TCU will settle on a quarterback in the second half and be able to do enough to win the game. But it will be a rocky road getting to that point, so I’m taking the Buffaloes and the points.
Pick: Colorado +14 (-110 at Caesars)
Did you know that if you parlayed our TCU vs. Colorado picks, you could win $26.61 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
