Published on: September 8, 2023, 05:17h.
Last updated on: September 8, 2023, 05:17h.
The Colorado Buffaloes are set to face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Boulder this Saturday in what is expected to be a highly anticipated college football matchup. In fact, this single game is attracting a higher number of bets and overall wagers than the entire slate of Week 1 games in the NFL.
Credit goes to Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, also known as Coach Prime and a former NFL star, for the recent surge in bets on the Colorado team. Despite a lackluster performance in recent years, including a winning season drought since 2005 and the firing of their previous head coach, the hiring of Sanders has revitalized the Buffs. Sanders had previous success with Jackson State and quickly made an impact at Colorado, generating significant interest in the team.
Located in Boulder, just 25 miles away from Denver, Colorado University has a passionate sports-loving community that is known for their enthusiasm towards sports betting. Recent successes of professional teams in Denver, such as the Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and the Denver Nuggets securing their first NBA championship, have further added to the excitement surrounding sports betting in the region.
Coach Prime and the Buffs Upset TCU
Colorado surprised many by defeating the 17th-ranked TCU team as a 10-point underdog in their previous game. Despite only winning one game last season, Colorado managed to secure a victory against a formidable TCU team that had reached the national championship game. Led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of head coach Deion Sanders, Colorado stunned TCU with a thrilling 45-42 win. The team showcased their offensive prowess, with Shedeur Sanders setting a school record with 510 passing yards and four touchdowns. Following their impressive performance, both Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders saw improved odds of winning the Heisman Trophy.
Bettors Show Confidence in Colorado for Week 2
The opening line for the Colorado/Nebraska game had the Buffs as 5-point favorites at their home stadium in Boulder. However, early bettors favored Nebraska, causing the line to shift by two points. As of Sunday morning, the line settled at Colorado -3 and bettors, including both amateurs and professionals, have been backing Colorado throughout the week. The current line at DraftKings in Colorado is Colorado -3, while Las Vegas casinos like South Point and Circa have Colorado at -2.5.
The overwhelming amount of bets on the Colorado/Nebraska game has surprised oddsmakers, with the game receiving more attention than all 16 games in the opening week of the NFL season. Various sportsbooks, including BetOnline, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM, have acknowledged the significant betting activity on Colorado.
Reviving the Colorado/Nebraska Rivalry
The matchup between Colorado and Nebraska holds historical significance, dating back to their first meeting in 1898. The two universities have had a sporadic rivalry over the years, with Nebraska holding the advantage in the overall head-to-head record. After a hiatus from playing each other, Colorado and Nebraska renewed their rivalry in 2018 and 2019, with Colorado emerging victorious in both games. The upcoming game will likely be highly anticipated by fans nostalgic for the rivalry. Additionally, this will be Colorado’s last season in the Pac-12 before rejoining the Big 12 next year.