Colorado (3–4) heads to Salt Lake City to take on No. 23 Utah (5–2) on Saturday, Oct. 25, with kickoff set for 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is looking to stack back-to-back wins for the first time since September, while Utah aims to rebound after a rivalry loss to BYU in Week 8.
Below, we’ll break down our Colorado vs. Utah prediction and pick for Saturday night, and highlight the top PrizePicks player picks for this Big-12 After Dark showdown.
Below is our Colorado vs. Utah prediction and pick for late night college football.
Colorado Preview vs. Utah
Colorado snapped a two-game skid with an upset win over Iowa State, and the energy around Boulder feels rejuvenated. QB Kaidon Salter delivered one of his best games as a Buff — 255 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air — while also contributing 57 yards on the ground.
The Colorado offense has leveled off since 2024 when QB Shedeur Sanders and WR/CB Travis Hunter were still in town. It ranks 82nd in passing yards per game (217.9) and 103rd in pass attempts per game (27.6).
Despite those middle-tier numbers, Salter’s big-play ability has kept Colorado afloat, thanks in part to help from WR Omarion Miller (20 catches, 371 yards, 4 TDs), who continues to emerge as a vertical threat.
The Buffaloes defense has lots of room for improvement, surrendering 188.0 rushing yards per game (118th) and a 44.1% success rate (116th), per Game On Paper. That matchup may set up a long night against a Utah squad that thrives on downhill tempo and ball control.
If Salter stays clean and efficient as he’s been in recent outings, Colorado’s offense may opt to keep the football in the air. That said, the Buffs have struggled more with throwing when outside of Boulder, averaging 6.6 yards per pass attempt in road appearances this year.
Utah Preview
Despite last week’s loss to BYU, Utah remains one of the most efficient two-way teams in college football. The Utes sit No. 9 nationally in EPA per play (+0.28) and No. 4 in success rate (+13.8%), per Game On Paper — elite marks on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, QB Devon Dampier has quietly developed into one of the Big-12’s most balanced dual threats. He’s accounted for 1,375 yards and 18 total TDs this season, completing 68.7% of his throws and adding 442 rushing yards (5.5 YPA). With Utah ranking sixth nationally in rushing offense (240.3 YPG), the Utes’ ground game sets the tone early and often.
Freshman RB Daniel Bray has been a breakout star for the Utes, eclipsing 100 yards in back-to-back games, including a career-high 121 yards and a TD against BYU in Week 8. With Utah running 74 plays per game (eighth in FBS) and converting 57.9% of third downs (tied for third nationally), the volume factor here is substantial.
Utah is equally imposing on the other side of the ball. The Utes allow just 16.3 points per game (tenth) and rank No. 6 nationally in defensive EPA against the pass (-0.28). Their front seven, while softer against the run (165.0 YPG), thrives on efficiency and limiting explosive plays.
Colorado vs. Utah Best PrizePicks Targets
Colorado QB Kaidon Salter — 174.5 Passing Yards
- Salter has thrown for 200+ yards in his last two games and ranks 41st nationally in yards per attempt (19.3), showing consistent downfield efficiency.
- Colorado’s pass game is trending upward — Salter completed 64% of his attempts vs. Iowa State with explosive plays of 30+ yards to WRs Omarion Miller and Joseph Williams.
- Utah’s elite secondary (11th in passing yards allowed; sixth in defensive pass EPA) can still be tested deep when quarterbacks extend plays outside structure.
- With the Buffs likely staring down a negative game script, Salter’s volume may have a chance to hover around 25-30 pass attempts.
Utah WR Ryan Davis — 54.5 Receiving Yards
- Davis leads Utah in both receptions (46) and yards (482), commanding a 25% team target share and serving as one of Dampier’s most trusted possession option.
- He’s topped 55+ yards in six of seven games, with strong route efficiency metrics (2.6 yards per route run) and steady red zone usage.
- Colorado’s defense ranks No. 116 in success rate allowed (44.1%) and No. 103 in EPA/play allowed (+0.05), struggling to contain pass attempts to opposing WRs.
- With Utah’s tempo and third-down dominance — tied for third in FBS with a 57.9% success rate — Davis might see some extra opportunities.
Utah RB Wayshawn Parker — 44.5 Rushing Yards
- Parker’s speed complements Daniel Bray’s power. Parker is averaging 6.0 yards per carry in a change-of-pace role this season.
- Utah’s backfield has logged 296 rushing plays (11th nationally), signaling enough volume for Parker to maintain 8–10 touches weekly.
- Colorado’s defense has been shredded on the ground, allowing 188 rushing yards per game (118th) and a 42% success rate (99th) vs. the run.
- The Utes’ rushing success rate sits at 49.7% (eighth nationally), compared to Colorado’s defensive mark of just 39.3% against the run.
Make Colorado vs. Utah Picks on PrizePicks
This matchup has all the makings of a thrilling Big-12 After Dark clash in October — Utah’s control game vs. Colorado’s quick-strike offense. The Utes’ physicality up front and Dampier’s dual-threat rhythm make them the more stable side, but Deion Sanders’ squad seems to find ways to create moments in space.
With PrizePicks, you can cash in on Saturday night college football action by targeting key players like Salter, Davis and Parker.
With every college football game this season, you can get in on the real-money action on PrizePicks — pick your players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if your calls are right.
