TCU vs Colorado Odds, Picks & Predictions

• TCU and Colorado open their seasons in Week 1 on Friday, September 2nd
• The Horned Frogs are now double-digit betting favorites over the Buffaloes in the CFB odds
• Read below for TCU vs Colorado odds, spread and predictions for Week 1

This matchup sees TCU travel to Boulder to take on the Colorado Buffaloes in a Week 1 game on Friday, September 2. Kickoff is set for 10:00 pm at Folsom Field and the game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. Both teams will be trying to get off to good starts after less-than-stellar 2021 seasons.

TCU has spiked to 13.5-point betting favorites and the total is set at 55.0 for this contest.

Let’s take a deeper look at the TCU vs Colorado odds and offer you our best bets and predictions.

TCU vs Colorado Odds

Odds as of August 30 at BetMGM.

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TCU Looks to Bounce Back, Start New Era

Coming off a dreadful 5-7 season, TCU is desperate to put 2021 behind them. The Frogs bid adieu to coach Gary Patterson who guided TCU more than two decades. Jerry Kill replaced him on an interim basis but there was always going to be a search for a new coach. Sonny Dykes was brought in for 2022. Dykes led SMU to three straight winning seasons including 8-4 in 2021.

TCU wants to get bowl eligible but believes they could be even better. They start the season at +1200 in the Big 12 title odds, right in the middle of the pack.

‘Destination job’: Why TCU’s offer proved too promising for Sonny Dykes #tcu #hornedfrogs #CollegeFootball #ncaaf

https://t.co/M8Hhu7eRSL

— College Football Report (@CollegeFB99) August 30, 2022

Dykes needs to find the keys to a good defense even more than offense. The Horned Frogs ranked 66th and 45th offensively in their last two years. The bigger problem was the defense last season which yielded 419 points (118th out of 130 teams).

With road concerns still well founded (0-4 last year after October 2), Dykes has a lot of work to do. He also has to figure out which quarterback is going to lead the way for his team. Max Duggan seems to have an inside track but Chandler Morris and Sam Jackson will see playing time. The sooner one of them figures out the “air raid” offense, the better for TCU.

New TCU coach Sonny Dykes still isn't saying who will take the first snap at quarterback. Max Duggan has started 29 games for the Horned Frogs the past three years. https://t.co/1gwv8GumSh

— Quad-City Times (@qctimes) August 29, 2022

On defense, there will be issues especially early. Most Dykes teams used their offense to set up their defense. Allowing 34.9 points per game last year may be close to what they give up early this year. The Horned Frogs are young and inexperienced.

The unit was worse against the run than the pass even. The Horned Frogs gave up 222.3 yards per game last season and did little to adjust their line or linebacking core.

Colorado Buffaloes Aim for .500

Head coach Karl Dorrell will look to make some improvements with a Colorado offense which was punchless especially on the road last year. At least, they begin 2022 at home.

Colorado tripped all over themselves in 2021. Their defense was okay, but it was their offense that got knocked around. The offensive line could not control much of anything as the Buffaloes scored a mere 18.8 points per game en route to a 4-8 season.

Like we said, Colorado at least started to play at home better. After a home loss to USC on October 2nd, the Buffaloes did manage to win three home games.

We should get a Colorado depth chart in the next several days, but until then, I've projected a #cubuffs depth chart in my latest Bleav In The Colorado Buffaloes podcast @BleavNetwork https://t.co/neXA8HmHtz

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) August 25, 2022

Dornell and his new staff must find a way to generate some sustained offense. The defense they are playing in Week 1 will give up some points. There is an opportunity. Jarek Broussard transferring to Michigan State hurts immensely. Can transfer Ramon Jefferson run behind this revamped line? If he and Brandon Lewis can get going early, Colorado might have something.

Colorado’s projected NCAAF win total of 3.5 feels pretty accurate. Given their schedule and transfer woes, the Buffaloes might win three or four games tops.

TCU vs Colorado Prediction

ESPN’s Power Football Index predicts the Buffaloes will finish below the Horned Frogs in the Big-12 standings. TCU could win six or seven games but Dykes has never won more than five times at any location in his debut year.

Having said that, this Week 1 matchup should be interesting. Both teams just have so many question marks and the offenses might underwhelm a bit.

Oddsmakers may be underestimating Colorado at home a bit here. This game opened at 6.5 and has mushroomed to 13.5. Take Colorado with that many points involved.

Pick: Colorado (+13.5)