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The Texas Tech Red Raiders take on the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder, CO. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Texas Tech is favored by -13.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -535. The total is set at 50.5 points.
Here’s my Texas Tech vs. Colorado prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Texas Tech vs Colorado Prediction
- Texas Tech vs. Colorado Pick: Colorado +13.5 (Play to +13)
My Colorado vs. Texas Tech best bet is on Colorado to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis
Texas Tech vs Colorado Odds
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -110 | 50.5 -110o / -110u | -535 |
| Colorado Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -110 | 50.5 -110o / -110u | +400 |
- Texas Tech vs Colorado point spread: Texas Tech -13.5 (-110), Colorado +13.5 (-110)
- Texas Tech vs Colorado over/under: 50.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Texas Tech vs Colorado moneyline: Texas Tech -535, Colorado +400
Texas Tech vs Colorado College Football Preview
This looks like a perfect time to buy low on the Buffs, who come back to Boulder for their first home game of the season vs. an FBS foe following two straight road losses by a combined 44 points.
Colorado will turn to a new starting quarterback in Isaac Wilson, who relieved the now-benched JuJu Lewis in the second half last week.
Wilson is certainly not a world beater, but he at least will throw the ball downfield (25% higher aDOT than Lewis, who just seemed afraid to take any chances).
If you remove the Weber State game, Lewis had no big-time throws to seven turnover-worthy plays. That's less than ideal.
Colorado does have some nice weapons on the outside, led by Joseph Williams, and offensive coordinator Brennan Marion seems to be figuring out the run game in his Go-Go offense, which usually takes a few games to get rolling in the first year of installation.
I also like some of the additions Colorado made on the defense in the offseason. It would significantly benefit from any help from the offense.
With that said, this is more about fading Texas Tech, which I believe the market has soured out enough on.
The Red Raiders finally did get a cover last week against Sam Houston by a half-point, but it took two pick-sixes and a miraculous touchdown late to get there.
Prior to that victory, they were a couple of bounces away from losing to both Oregon State and Houston.
The offense just doesn't have the same explosiveness, and Will Hammond (who still might not be 100%) has been extremely underwhelming at quarterback. On the season, he has two big-time throws to seven turnover-worthy plays when kept clean.
Additionally, I expected a drop-off on defense after Tech saw a whopping six players on that side of the ball get drafted, including four along the defensive line. However, I didn't think it would look this poor.
The pass rush just isn't anywhere close to as potent, which has exposed some issues in the secondary.
Last year, Texas Tech led the nation in yards per play allowed at 3.9. That number has plummeted to 5.5 yards so far this season, which ranks outside the top 70.
Colorado can hang around in this game at home, where it has historically played much better, especially under head coach Deion Sanders. Meanwhile, Texas Tech hasn't traveled all that effectively under head coach Joey McGuire in recent seasons.
Pick: Colorado +13.5 (Play to +13)
