ND State vs. Colorado Odds & Betting Predictions - August 30, 2024

Can’t believe I’m betting this but here we are

Cleared this in 6/10 full starts last season, and notably 6/8 to start the season. Misses were getting blown out vs ORE, hooked vs ASU, and misses vs ARIZ and OREST, two of the highly rated Pac12 defenses. NDSU doesn’t profile as a high-level defense on the FBS level. Colorado returns the bulk of their receiver core back - they lost Weaver, but added Wester and Sheppard. Their running back room is very inexperienced - COLO passed at a top 10 rate last season, and I expect that to carry over (if not increase) this season. And while the O-Line is better, which could lead to less shorter passes, it should also translate to less sacks and scrambles. Sanders hung his hat on his completion percentage last season - and this entire season is essentially a showcase for him to move up draft boards and get into heisman contention. Very ok with over his pass yards up to o310.5 as well.

Avery

Last season, Colorado averaged 75 offensive snaps per game with coordinator Sean Lewis calling plays. That made them a top-15 team in terms of tempo. But in early November, Sanders swapped Lewis out for Pat Shurmur, who slowed things way down. In an attempt to protect the team’s leaky defense and battered quarterback, Shurmur shaved 17 plays off the previous average. NDSU will also play slow and they have the run game to play keep away. CU 3rd down defense 125th in FBS. NDSU 3rd down offense 3rd in FCS.