College Football

TCU vs. Colorado Prediction, Odds, Picks

Published Aug. 31, 2023 4:23 p.m. ET

The Colorado Buffaloes (0-0) will look to prove oddsmakers wrong when they take on the No. 17 TCU Horned Frogs (0-0) on Saturday, September 2 as a massive 20.5-point underdog.

The Horned Frogs scored 38.8 points per game (ninth in college football) and gave up 29.0 (90th) last year, going 13-2 and losing the CFP National Championship. Last year, the Buffaloes failed to qualify for the postseason after going 1-11 in the regular season. Offensively they averaged 15.4 points per game (127th), while conceding 44.5 per game (131st) on defense.

Here's everything you need from a betting perspective on the Colorado-TCU game on FOX Sports, from the point spread, moneyline, total over/under and expert pick:

TCU vs. Colorado Game Information & Odds

When: Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
TV: FOX
Live boxscore on FOX Sports

TCU vs Colorado Betting Information updated as of August 31, 2023, 1:46 PM ET.
Favorite	Spread (Odds)	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline	Total	Over Moneyline	Under Moneyline
TCU	-20.5 (-110)	-1049	+664	63.5	-110	-110

TCU vs. Colorado Prediction

Pick ATS: TCU (-20.5)
Pick OU: Over (63.5)
Prediction: TCU 52, Colorado 11

Pick Via FOX Sports Wagering Expert Chris "The Bear" Fallica:

While TCU has to replace a ton offensively, don’t let that fool you — this will still be a potent offense, as QB Chandler Morris is thought to be better than last year’s starter Max Duggan, and the receiver room, featuring Oklahoma State transfer JP Richardson along with tight end Jared Wiley, should offer opposing defenses plenty to worry about.

Factor in an entirely new CU defense that wasn’t together for spring ball, and this has the potential for missed assignments and lack of cohesion, meaning the Horned Frogs should threaten the 50-point mark. Give me the team total over.

Side note: This will be my first Big Noon Kickoff game, so look for me during the broadcast.

PICK: TCU team total Over 41.5 points

TCU vs. Colorado Betting Insights

Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the tilt is Horned Frogs 42, Buffaloes 22.
The Horned Frogs have a 91.3% chance to claim victory in this meeting based on the moneyline's implied probability. The Buffaloes hold a 13.1% implied probability.
TCU covered 10 times in 15 matchups with a spread last season.
Colorado won just two games against the spread last year.

TCU vs. Colorado: 2022 Stats Comparison

	TCU	Colorado
Off. Points per Game (Rank)	38.8 (3)	15.4 (126)
Def. Points per Game (Rank)	29.0 (120)	44.5 (131)
Turnovers Allowed (Rank)	16 (41)	22 (107)
Turnovers Forced (Rank)	21 (35)	11 (124)

TCU 2022 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Max Duggan	QB	3,698 YDS (63.7%) / 32 TD / 8 INT 423 RUSH YDS / 9 RUSH TD / 28.2 RUSH YPG
Kendre Miller	RB	1,399 YDS / 17 TD / 93.3 YPG / 6.2 YPC
Quentin Johnston	WR	60 REC / 1,069 YDS / 6 TD / 71.3 YPG
Emari Demercado	RB	681 YDS / 6 TD / 45.4 YPG / 5.6 YPC 13 REC / 65 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 4.3 REC YPG
Dee Winters	LB	79 TKL / 13.0 TFL / 7.5 SACK / 1 INT
Jamoi Hodge	LB	90 TKL / 9.0 TFL / 4.5 SACK / 1 INT
Dylan Horton	DL	44 TKL / 11.0 TFL / 10.0 SACK
Johnny Hodges	LB	79 TKL / 6.0 TFL / 2.0 SACK

Colorado 2022 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Jordyn Tyson	WR	22 REC / 470 YDS / 4 TD / 39.2 YPG
J.T. Shrout	QB	1,220 YDS (44.3%) / 7 TD / 8 INT -15 RUSH YDS / 1 RUSH TD / -1.3 RUSH YPG
Deion Smith	RB	393 YDS / 2 TD / 32.8 YPG / 4.7 YPC
Montana Lemonious-Craig	WR	23 REC / 359 YDS / 3 TD / 29.9 YPG
Josh Chandler-Semedo	LB	90 TKL / 10.0 TFL / 4.5 SACK / 1 INT
Trevor Woods	S	75 TKL / 1.0 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Quinn Perry	LB	67 TKL / 2.0 TFL / 1.0 SACK
Nikko Reed	CB	38 TKL / 2.0 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD