Nebraska vs Colorado Prediction 9-7-24 College Football Picks

The Colorado Buffaloes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers meet on Saturday in college football action from Memorial Stadium Lincoln. Here’s a Nebraska vs Colorado prediction. We will be looking at this from a betting perspective and determining the best Nebraska vs Colorado pick.

Colorado Buffaloes Betting Preview

In 2023 the Buffaloes managed a pretty rough 4-8 overall record. Colorado limped to a 1-8 run in Pac-12 play, which left the team in the basement of the conference standings below Arizona State (2-7).

In their first matchup of the 2024 campaign, the Buffaloes took on the North Dakota State Bison. Colorado was down 20-17 at the break but scored 14 more from there in a 31-26 comeback victory. QB Shedeur Sanders logged 445 yards, four scores, and a pick. Jimmy Horn and Travis Hunter combined for 14 receptions and four scores.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview

Over on the Nebraska side, they had a losing record last year as well, going 5-7 overall. The Cornhuskers were just 3-6 in Big Ten games, which left them ahead of only the Purdue Boilermakers (also 3-6) in the West Division

Matched up against UTEP in their first action of the 2024 season, the Cornhuskers powered out a 40-7 victory. QB Dylan Raiola had 238 yards with a pair of scores. Emmett Johnson led the rush on eight carries for 71 yards. Nebraska will meet Northern Iowa and Illinois after this one.

Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win

• Colorado has lost nine of its last 10 road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Nebraska has won seven of its last eight September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Colorado has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Nebraska has won the first half in 24 of its last 32 games against non-conference opponents at Memorial Stadium.

Why the Colorado Buffaloes will win

• Colorado has won each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Nebraska has lost four of its last five games.
• The underdog has covered the spread in six of Colorado’s last seven games.
• Nebraska has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six home games in September.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Colorado’s last five road openers has gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Nebraska’s last four games as a home favorite has gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Nebraska ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Nebraska ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Colorado ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Colorado ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage this season (1.000).

Nebraska vs. Colorado Prediction

I’m going to lean toward Nebraska. The Cornhuskers didn’t have too many issues with UTEP, logging 507 yards (223 rushing), 30 first downs, and an 11-of-17 run on third-down tries. Nebraska’s defense was solid as well with 205 yards and 12 first downs surrendered. It was a nice opener for the Huskers.

As for Colorado, they put on a passing clinic versus North Dakota State in their opener, logging 445 yards through the air, 8.8 yards per play, and a nice 7-of-11 run on third downs. Horn, Hunter, and LaJohntay Wester did the bulk of the receiving work; no one else had more than two catches. Colorado will have to diversify themselves this week in a much tougher matchup, and I don’t think they’ll quite cover.