Despite the doubts of some, Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes are carving out a steady path in the unpredictable Big 12, a sentiment that could also apply to Scott Satterfield’s Cincinnati Bearcats.
Both teams, which went 9-17 combined in their head coaches’ first seasons, now sit at 5-2. On Saturday night, they’ll clash for a chance to secure bowl eligibility in Year 2. Discover which team we believe has the edge in this Cincinnati vs. Colorado matchup prediction.
Cincinnati vs. Colorado Betting Preview
All Cincinnati vs. Colorado odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Colorado -5.5 - Spread
Colorado -6.5 - Moneyline
Colorado -245, Cincinnati +200 - Over/Under
57 points - Game Time
Oct. 26, 10:15 p.m. ET - Location
Folsom Field | Boulder, Colo. - Predicted Weather at Kick
59 degrees, clear, five mph winds - How To Watch
ESPN
The early spread is Colorado -6.5. The public has bet this up two and a half points, as the line was posted at -4. With a total of 57 points, Vegas’ numbers imply a score close to 32-25 in favor of the Buffaloes.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
Cincinnati’s Winning Probability
FPM is closely aligned with the Vegas spread, giving Cincinnati a 35.9% chance to win the game, translating to an implied spread of about 5.5 points. The Bearcats have a difficult schedule, as they’re currently underdogs in four of five remaining games.
- at Colorado: 34.9%
- vs. West Virginia: 47.2%
- at Iowa State: 17.9%
- at Kansas State: 19.8%
- vs. TCU: 50.4%
Colorado’s Winning Probability
The Buffaloes are off to a better start than last year but only slightly, and thoughts of 2023’s late-season collapse could linger. The Buffaloes have a 65.1% chance to win Saturday, making it their easiest remaining game. While they’ll be favorites in four of five remaining games, three have spreads of three or fewer points.
- vs. Cincinnati: 65.1%
- at Texas Tech: 46.2%
- vs. Utah: 50.4%
- at Kansas: 57.4%
- vs. Oklahoma State: 57.4%
Prediction for Cincinnati vs. Colorado
Two things can be true: 1) Both Colorado and Cincinnati are off to impressive starts under their often-scrutinized second-year coaches, and 2) there’s a real possibility that this early success could be just a mirage.
The FPM projections underscore the significance of this matchup—not just in terms of numbers, but for the narrative of each program. Saturday’s winner will secure bowl eligibility and potentially more, with a schedule that includes several winnable games.
On the flip side, the loser will drop to 5-3, facing a tough road ahead with multiple challenging matchups. Cincinnati, in particular, is eager to secure its sixth win sooner rather than later, given the unpredictability of West Virginia and looming road games against two Big 12 Championship contenders.
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There’s a lot riding on this game, and that context is crucial in this coaching showdown.
On the field, I chose to ignore the pre-season hot takes about Colorado and just enjoy the ride. Here’s what we know about the Buffaloes:
The defense has made significant strides from last season, but the offensive line hasn’t kept pace, and the lack of balance on offense is a concern. Even so, the defensive improvements have allowed the Buffaloes to cruise through a few second halves, even resting Travis Hunter after halftime last week.
As for Cincinnati, Brendan Sorsby has been a standout—exceeding my expectations. The Bearcats have flown under the radar this year, making them a bit of a mystery.
What I do know is that I believe in Colorado’s defense and, of course, in Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. While I think the Vegas line is accurate, I see value in the under, given Cincinnati’s tendency toward low-scoring games. I’m leaning toward the Buffaloes, but I especially like the under on the total.
Prediction: Colorado 27, Cincinnati 21
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