Free NCAA Football Prediction: Buffaloes vs. Golden Gophers Odds
Looking for Colorado Buffaloes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers free picks? College football betting sees the Buffaloes taking on the Golden Gophers on Saturday, September 17th at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Colorado-Minnesota free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 3
(0-2) Colorado Buffaloes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0)
Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: COL +27.5 | MINN -27.5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Buffaloes +1600 | Golden Gophers -10000
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 47
The Colorado Buffaloes will travel to Minneapolis and take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers from Huntington Bank Park this Saturday on ESPN. The Golden Gophers open as huge favorites at home here, with total opening at 47.
HISTORY: Minnesota and Colorado will play the second of their home-and-home series. The two states have crossed paths four times, with the Buffaloes holding a 3-1 series lead. However, the Golden Gophers did win last year’s meeting 30-0 in Boulder.
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado has struggled out of the gate and with Pac-12 play right away the corner, things may get worse before they have a chance to improve. The road half of this home-and-home may end the Buffs stretch of non-conference play on the on a punishing note.
Head coach Karl Dorrell hasn’t decided who make the start in Minneapolis for the Buffs just yet. 2021 Brendon Lewis was pulled mid-way through the TCU game for J.T. Shrout, who then got the start against Air Force. The Tennessee transfer did not perform well against the Academy, going an abysmal 5/21 for 51 passing yards and an interception. It’s a messy situation with no sign of solution in sight.
Deion Smith and Alex Fontenot didn’t have much room, but they did what they could against the Falcons. Smith led the Buffs in rushing (59) and scored the team’s lone touchdown, while Fontenot added 53 yards.
A lack of stability at the quarterback position has led to underwhelming production from the receiving core. Fifth-year senior Daniel Arias leads the team with six catches and 102 receiving yards.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota has jumped out to an ideal 2-0 start, outscoring their opponents 100 to 10. The Gophers shutout former coach Jerry Kill’s New Mexico State squad in an emotional team opener, 38-0, before unloading on an innocent Western Illinois team.
Last weekend, Minnesota handled Western Illinois, 62-10, covering the gigantic 40-point spread to improve to 2-0 ATS this season.
Tanner Morgan brings a TON of experience to the position, and his veteran status makes them a hot pick to win the Big Ten West division. Morgan’s a four-year starter, and he’s begun year five the right way, efficient and productive. Morgan scored twice on the ground in the win over New Mexico State, and passed the 8000-yard mark for his career against Western Illinois.
Mohamed Ibrahim’s return to school made them an even a stronger pick to take the division. Ibrahim ran for 1,076 yards in 7 games in 2020, and he was off to another strong start last season prior to an Achilles injury. The senior back has rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in both of Minnesota’s first two games, and he’s an early favorite for Big Ten Player of the Year. Fourth-year back Trey Potts has also scored in both games, and he’s tallied 168 yards.
Chris Autman-Bell is another veteran player whose approaching the 2000-yard mark for his career. The senior wideout caught five passes for a team-high 118 yards against WIU, and he’s on-pace to set career-highs here in year 5. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford caught three balls for 64 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown in last weekend’s win.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- COL are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- MINN are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Buffaloes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Golden Gophers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 3 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
Wooo! The Golden Gophers look good early. They’ve got talent and experience everywhere, and in a year where the Big Ten West looks weak, they look very strong. They possess one of the best backfield tandems in the country in Morgan and Ibrahim, and they’ve got a real shot to make some noise this year. While I’m usually opposed to massive spreads, this feels like a blowout spot here for the host. Colorado does not look like a Power 5 team, and this road trip more than likely won’t treat them well.
If there’s a blowout to get behind, it’s this one. Take Minnesota’s massive margin this Saturday.
4* Free Week 3 NCAA Betting Pick: Minnesota -27.5
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