Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Utes vs Colorado Buffaloes

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: Folsom Field in Boulder, CO

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Buffaloes (+15.0)

Total/Over-Under: 49

Folsom Field is where the Colorado Buffaloes (2-3) will take on the Utah Utes (5-0) on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Colorado opens this contest as 15-point dogs from oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 49.

The Utah Utes come into this matchup with a record of 5-0 this season. In their last matchup, the Utes went up against the Kansas Jayhawks and earned the victory with a final of 41-24. On the ground, the Utes conceded 58 yds on 21 attempts, which averages out to 2.8 yards per rush allowed. Utah allowed 19 pass completions on 37 tries for 333 yards, and a completion rate of 51.4%. When the final whistle blew, they ran 78 plays which gave them a total of 545 yards. The Utah Utes ran the ball a total of 47 times and amassed 287 yds, which had them averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Utah Utes are sitting at 42.8 points per game. Offensively they hold an average of 238.0 yards on the ground giving them a rank of 8th in college football. The Utes have earned 2,510 total yards this season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Utah has compiled 14 touchdowns via the pass and 15 touchdowns via the ground. Utah has accounted for 132 1st downs as a team, and they have been flagged for 31 penalties for 266 yards. They have turned the football over 4 different times.

Concerning passing yards, the Utes have allowed 1,031 yards which has them sitting in 39th in Division 1. They are allowing 206.2 yards per contest through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 47.8%. In total, they are giving up 285.0 yards/outing which has them ranked 18th in college football. They have conceded 4 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 4 touchdowns running the ball. The opposition is running for 2.9 yards per attempt on the ground and 78.8 yards on the ground per game on the campaign. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 394 yards via the ground game in 5 contests. The Utes rank 7th in D-1 regarding team defense, allowing 13.0 PPG.

Get all of our College Football Picks Today

The Buffaloes step onto the field holding a record of 2-3 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Buffaloes walked away with a loss by a score of 29-7 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Colorado surrendered 37 rush attempts for 181 yds (4.9 yards per rush). The Buffaloes pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 65.4%, relinquishing 134 yds on 17 out of 26 through the air. The Buffaloes finished the contest with a total of 375 yds while running 80 plays (4.7 yards per play). Colorado rushed the ball for 2.4 yds per carry, finishing with 78 yds on 32 attempts.

In terms of the points being put on the board, the Buffaloes sit 122nd in D-1 averaging 18.6 PPG. The Colorado Buffaloes average 394.2 yards per contest, which has them sitting 71st in Division 1. The Colorado offense has 413 penalty yds on 45 violations, which ranks them 22nd in the country in terms of hurting your team. They have thrown 6 picks while conceding 5 fumbles and they have been able to record 109 first downs. For the year to this point, the Buffaloes have thrown for a total of 1,267 passing yards as well as holding an average of 253.4 throwing yards per game, ranking them 49th in the nation. They maintain an average of 140.8 run yards per game and have run for 704 yards for the season.

The Buffaloes are surrendering 25.4 points per game, ranking them 84th in D-1. Colorado has conceded a total of 651 rushing yards (130.2 yards per game) as well as 3 touchdowns on the ground for the campaign. They have given up 9 touchdowns through the air and 216.6 yards per game, which has them ranked 83rd in the nation. The Buffaloes defense has taken the field for 345 plays, ranking them 40th in D-1. They have tallied 3 fumbles recovered and 2 picks so far this season. Overall, they have surrendered 127 pts.

Who will win tonight's Utes/Buffaloes college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Buffaloes +15.0

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get college football picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.