by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2021
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 11, 2021
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Texas A&M -17; O/U 51; Texas A&M -850, Colorado +575
BetMGM: Texas A&M -17; A&M -833, Colorado +550
Caesars: Texas A&M -17; O/U 51; Texas A&M -900, Colorado +600
Season record
No. 5 Texas A&M: 1-0
Colorado: 1-0
Jack Banks went 4-2, 67% this past week in CFB! He's back this week with his 10* CFB Rivalry Game of the Year in Saturday's action! Jack is on a 59% run with his last 400-plus CFB releases! His first GOY release of the college football season has arrived and it's ready to action. Check out Jack’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Texas A&M - Colorado preview and analysis
Recent form
Texas A&M: won 41-10 vs. Kent State on Sept. 4
Colorado: won 35-7 vs. Northern Colorado on Sept. 3
It’s not often you see a team turn the ball over five times and still dominate its opponent. That depends if you feel that’s how good the Texas A&M Aggies are.
The No. 6-ranked Aggies threw four interceptions and lost a fumble but got enough of a dominant stretch from their defense to pace A&M to a 41-10 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Those turnovers can’t happen on the road Saturday at Mile High Stadium when the Aggies face the Colorado Buffaloes, an old foe from the Big 12, in what could be an interesting non-conference matchup.
You can look at this through two different lenses: Texas A&M was fortunate to win as big as it did after being sloppy with the football, or the Aggies were so good they still covered the 28.5-point spread on Kent State.
Percentage wise, A&M quarterback Haynes King did fine (21-of-33, 292 yards), but the three interceptions overshadowed the two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Zach Calzada threw one pass -- it was intercepted.
But when the ball wasn’t in King’s hands, things were fine on offense. Devon Achane and Isaiah Spiller combined for 29 carries, 237 yards and two touchdowns, both from Achane. A&M’s running game dominated to the tune of 303 rushing yards for 7.2 per carry.
Texas A&M’s defense was dominant, too. Leon O’Neal Jr. had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and the Aggies combined for five sacks on KSU quarterback Dustin Crum -- he was only 12-for-26 for 89 yards.
Colorado is A&M’s toughest non-conference opponent out of the Pac-12, which shouldn’t come as a shock with New Mexico also on the docket. The Buffs handled business with a 35-7 win over Northern Colorado last week with 281 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
A&M is going to force Colorado to throw the ball, and if they start rattling freshman quarterback Brendon Lewis, it could be a long day for CU. Lewis was fine Saturday, completing 10-of-15 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, but if running backs Jarek Broussard and Ashaad Clayton (combined for 145 yards on 23 carries against UNC) get bottled up, Lewis better be a difference maker in that altitude.
Prediction
Don’t expect much movement on that 17-point spread. A&M should win this comfortably, but the Aggies have only won at Colorado once in program history and this is the first meeting since 2009. Some teams may not be able to handle that altitude. A&M should, and should barely cover, but don’t be surprised if Colorado tries to keep the spread close in the final minutes.
Betting trends
Texas A&M is 6-0 as a road favorite under coach Jimbo Fisher.
Colorado is 19-40 in games against the spread following when they committed no turnovers.
Players to watch
Texas A&M: Look for the Aggies to use Isaiah Spiller early and often to move on from milestone watch. The junior running back is 75 yards from 17th place on the A&M rushing list, passing Johnny Manziel.
Colorado: Junior corner Mekhi Blackmon will look to build off his strong game against Northern Colorado, recording four tackles and an interception in the win.
Statistical leaders
Texas A&M:
Passing: Haynes King -- 292 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Devon Achane -- 124 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Ainias Smith -- 100 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Leon O’Neal -- 2 INT, 1 TD
Colorado:
Passing: Brendon Lewis -- 102 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Jarek Broussard -- 94 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: La’Vontae Shenault -- 23 yards
Defense: Chris Miller -- 4 tackles
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Texas A&M Aggies - Colorado Buffaloes prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NCAA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
