One of the final games of this week’s college football slate features a top Big 12 program. The Colorado Buffaloes host the #11 Utah Utes on Saturday, October 17 at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Utah has kicked off the season with a 5-0 record and topped Kansas 41-24 last week. Meanwhile, after starting 2-0, Colorado has dropped three straight contests, including a 29-7 loss to #10 Texas Tech on October 3.
Utah enters Saturday’s matchup as a 14.5-point favorite, with the total being set at 48.5 points on PrizePicks.
Below, we'll break down our Utah vs. Colorado prediction and picks for Saturday's Week 7 college football game, including winner payouts and both the spread and over/under from PrizePicks.
Make your Utah vs. Colorado picks on PrizePicks now!
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#11 Utah vs. Colorado Prediction, Spread, Over/Under – Saturday, October 17
Utah enters Saturday's game as a 14.5-point favorite against Colorado, returning a 1.12x payout if it wins outright, via PrizePicks — or $112 on a $100 entry if you’re right.
Here are the full payouts for Utah vs. Colorado on PrizePicks. PrizePicks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Make your Utah vs. Colorado prediction on the spread or over/under on PrizePicks.
The Utes have dominated the series against the Buffaloes, winning eight of the last nine matchups. Utah flexed its offensive muscles in last year’s meeting, winning 53-7 behind 422 rushing yards and 4 TDs on the ground.
QB Devon Dampier leads the Utes' high-powered offense once again, completing 71.8% of his passes for 1,134 yards and 12 TDs while throwing just 2 INTs. Dampier has also remained a rushing threat and averaged 4.0 yards per carry with 3 TDs.
According to Game on Paper, Dampier's registered 7.78 yards per dropback, ranking 30th among collegiate QBs.
Utah is one of the nation’s top running teams, averaging 238.0 rushing YPC, which ranks seventh. RB Wayshawn Parker is putting up 99.8 YPG and posted a 0.41 EPA/rush mark that sits 14th in the country.
Defensively, Utah offers one of the more shutdown units the nation has to offer, giving up just 285.0 YPG (18th) and really thriving in shutting down opposing rushing attacks. Utah’s defense cedes -0.19 EPA/carry, which may come in handy against a Colorado team that struggles on the ground.
Colorado went 3-9 under head coach Deion Sanders in 2025 and lost seven of its last eight games to finish out the campaign. This weekend marks the second of what's slated to be three consecutive contests vs. ranked foes for CU.
The Buffaloes recently made a change at the QB position, shifting from Julian Lewis to Isaac Wilson. Wilson actually began his collegiate career at Utah and started seven games for the Utes as a freshman in 2024.
Wilson started Colorado’s most recent game against Texas Tech, completing 26 of 44 passes for 290 yards and a TD but throwing 3 INTs. In 2026, the Buffaloes have tallied -0.10 EPA/pass, ranking 111th of 138 teams.
Utah vs. Colorado Prediction on Spread – 10/17/26
Here are the key stats and trends behind our Utah vs. Colorado pick against the spread for Saturday, October 17.
- Utah has had the upper hand in its series against Colorado lately. The Utes have a 7-3 record against the spread and have won seven of the last eight meetings outright, including a 53-7 triumph in 2025.
- Colorado is 1-4 ATS this season and has surrendered 40+ points in two of those contests.
- The Utes have a prolific offense, averaging 502.0 YPG (second in the Big 12) and rank second in rushing YPG (238.0).
- Utah's been downright electric on the ground, tallying 0.19 EPA/rush (12th nationally). Parker leads the Utes’ rushing attack with 499 yards and 7 TDs, averaging 7.6 YPC (fifth in the conference).
- Colorado's scored just 27 total points over its last three games in losses to Northwestern, Baylor, and Texas Tech. The Buffaloes also average the fewest PPG in the Big 12 (18.6).
- The Buffaloes muster an ugly -0.23 EPA/rush, which is third-worst in the country. They average 3.7 YPC and 140.8 YPG on the ground, with the latter being the second-lowest figure in the Big 12.
Lock in your Utah vs. Colorado prediction on PrizePicks before Saturday's game.
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Make Utah vs. Colorado Picks on PrizePicks
Utah has proven to be an offensive juggernaut through the first half of the season en route to hanging 42.8 PPG on the scoreboard. Can Utah throttle a struggling Colorado team on the road on Saturday night?
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