BYU Cougars (10-2) vs. Colorado Buffaloes (9-3)
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes December 28 2024 – The upcoming clash promises to be dramatic as the BYU Cougars face the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl to be held in San Antonio. BYU has been able to win the close contests to come into the game with a record of 10-2. Colorado is at 9-3, however, has displayed moments of greatness during the current season, especially during the last regular season game against Oklahoma State where they were dominant. The tables could turn in this match as both teams have a lot of offensive strength and are willing to engage in an intense battle at the Alamodome.
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes December 28 2024 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Alamodome |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| BYU | +165 | +4 | Over 54.5 (-115) |
| Colorado | -195 | -4 | Under 54.5 (-105) |
Colorado enters as a four point favorite! A reflection of the nature of their offense and ability to deliver on a consistent basis even against strong opposition. BYU’s +165 moneyline on the other hand is still viewed as a risky bet given their close game history. In this regard 54.5 suggests a rather high scoring game, which is more favorable for the over bet looking at the offensive plays by both teams.
Jake Retzlaff QB vs. Shedeur Sanders QB
Jake Retzlaff, the BYU quarterback, in these past seasons has thrown for an incredible 2796 passing yards and twenty touchdowns. Still, he has room for improvement considering his interceptions are counted to ten disputes And his completion percentage stands at 57.9% which is considered below average at the top level. The capacity of Chase Roberts, who is a 16.5 yards per reception wide receiver, may change the course of the game for Retzlaff, especially against the Colorado pass defense.
Despite that, Shedeur Sanders has been able to shine under pressure with heavy expectations on him, finishing the league with 3926 passing yards and 35 completed touchdown passes while keeping the completion rate at 74.2%. Being calm under pressure and being able to find open receivers like Travis Hunter who caught 14 touchdowns this year, the Buffaloes passing attack was one of the best in the league. But on the other hand, Sanders has taken a hefty number of 38 sacks this meta, can be critical for his future.
BYU’s Recent Performances
BYU has always been able to stand strong winning three of their previous five contests. Their defensive toughness was evident in a victory against Houston as they won 30-18, whereas their offense came alive in a 37-24 victory over UCF. It also seems that LJ Martin’s 630 rushing yards have put the finishing touches on their attacks, while Roberts’ ability to make explosive plays is still there. One negative aspect of BYU that stands out when watching their games are the close losses against Arizona State and Kansas, suggesting they might not have what it takes to be top teams.
Colorado’s Strong Finish
The Colorado Buffaloes had a great finish to their season, destroying Oklahoma State 52-0. The same could be said for Sanders, an outstanding quarterback, while Travis Hunter made many big plays. Their offense has been bolstered by a commendable defense that managed to keep Texas Tech and Utah to respectable outputs. Even if Dallan Hayden has not been a huge contributor on the ground game, it hardly matters given Hunter’s multifaceted nature which means the Buffaloes are always a scoring threat.
BYU Cougars Betting Trends
BYU is 10-2 SU this season but has struggled ATS, covering just once in their last six games. Their games frequently hit the over, with seven of their last eight contests surpassing the total. However, they’ve leaned toward the under in December games, reflecting a more conservative approach in high-pressure matchups.
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Trends
The Buffaloes have been a bettor’s dream, going 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games. They’ve also performed well against Big 12 opponents, covering in nine of their last 11 such matchups. While December has been challenging (1-7 SU in their last eight), their stellar 8-1 ATS record on Saturdays suggests they bring their best in marquee matchups.
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Betting Previews
This game promises fireworks as two dynamic offenses square off. For instance, watching BYU’s resiliency and close game management makes them a very dangerous underdog due to Retzlaff’s ability to locate Roberts downfield. But, due to Sanders and Hunter’s efficiency, Colorado also stands a more favorable chance in a shootout.
The Buffs’ -4 spread seems justifiable to an extent but BYU’s history of playing close games makes them an interesting selection as an underdog. The over on 54.5 points stands out as a viable possibility as well seeing the offensive prowess and scoring trends each team possesses. Props on Hunter’s receiving yards and Sanders’ touchdown passes are worth looking as they appear to be of good value.
Score Prediction: Colorado Buffaloes 35, BYU Cougars 31.
