Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to see more fire at TCU
The Colorado Buffaloes and TCU Horned Frogs clash Saturday night in Fort Worth with both teams desperate to rebound from narrow losses. Colorado blew an early 14-0 lead against BYU, while TCU squandered a fourth-quarter advantage at Arizona State. Deion Sanders wants to see urgency from his Buffaloes, while Sonny Dykes hopes to get key skill players back on the field. Bettors can see how this matchup fits into the broader betting landscape in college football week 6 odds and predictions.
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Line Movement and Odds
TCU opened as a -13 favorite and the line has nudged to -14, reflecting public support despite the Horned Frogs’ upset loss last week. The Frogs are -576 on the moneyline, with Colorado available at +418. The total sits at 59.5, with early money leaning under. The biggest uncertainty is whether RB Kevorian Barnes and WR Eric McAlister will be active.
Matchup Breakdown
Colorado Buffaloes Outlook
Deion Sanders has alternated quarterbacks this season but has leaned on Kaidon Salter in recent weeks. Salter has 684 passing yards and five touchdowns, but the offense has struggled to sustain drives. Micah Welch has led a rushing attack that produced 172 yards against BYU. The defense has been opportunistic, ranking top-five nationally in interceptions and fumbles forced.
TCU Horned Frogs Outlook
Josh Hoover leads the Big 12’s No. 2 passing attack with 1,242 yards and 11 TDs. However, the ground game has been almost nonexistent, producing only 12 rushing yards against Arizona State. Defensively, TCU ranks 9th in sacks, a strength they’ll look to exploit against Colorado’s shaky protection. If Barnes and McAlister return, the offense becomes far more balanced and dangerous.
Key Battle
Colorado’s opportunistic defense vs. TCU’s air-heavy passing game. Turnovers could flip the outcome.
Injuries and Conditions
Colorado Buffaloes
- QB Gio Lopez (leg) questionable
- RB Micah Welch (healthy) starting
- Weather: Clear skies, warm night in Fort Worth
TCU Horned Frogs
- RB Kevorian Barnes (ankle) questionable
- WR Eric McAlister (hamstring) questionable
- OL depth also thinned by minor knocks
Best Bets and Prediction
Colorado is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games as an underdog, while TCU has struggled to put opponents away late. The model projects a 31-24 Horned Frogs win, which means Colorado +14 is the sharper play. With injuries on both offenses and recent scoring struggles, the under 59.5 also has value. For more insights, check the full slate of college football previews.
Pick: Colorado +14.0
Projected Score: TCU 31, Colorado 24
Lean: Under 59.5
Don’t miss your edge
Big 12 action is heating up, and value is on the board. Explore more expert betting picks here →
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Bet | Colorado +14.0 |
| Confidence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Projected Score | TCU 31, Colorado 24 |
| Total Lean | Under 59.5 |
| Market Split | 58% bets TCU, 62% money Colorado (sharp side Buffaloes) |
Handicappers and Picks
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Primetime games, however, demand a different approach. The standalone spotlight of Sunday evenings always attracts heavier betting volume, which makes line movement worth watching closely. That’s why the Sunday Night Football odds and predictions breakdown is a valuable tool. It provides bettors with a clear picture of how oddsmakers are adjusting and where the betting action is flowing before kickoff.
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