BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes 12/28/24 – The Alamo Bowl will see one of the greatest matchups, with the BYU Cougars (10-2) going head-to-head with the Colorado Buffaloes (9-3). With both teams at their peak performance, BYU looks to close out an impressive season while Colorado has one of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation. The game in the Alamodome will be thrilling, with two-star quarterbacks and numerous playmakers around them. The fans are in for an exciting match.
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes 12/28/24
| When: | Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Alamodome |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars | +4 | Over 54.5 (-115) | +165 |  |
| Buffaloes | -4 | Under 54.5 (-105) | -195 | |
| ||||
BYU, COLORADO READY FOR VALERO ALAMO BOWL AFTER WEEK'S FESTIVITIES
⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/bsQjuCCYnx
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 28, 2024
The Colorado Buffaloes go into this game as the favorites by four points as their last 10 games have seen them record 9-1 Against The Spread. This said however, it would be interesting to see how BYU performs in a game where the stakes are really high as this one with a 4 point spread. The margin of 54.5 suggests that there could be a shooting contest and because both universities have strong attacking units the over bet is also pretty solid.
Jake Retzlaff QB vs. Shedeur Sanders QB
Jake Retzlaff was able to help BYU as he passed for a total of 2796 yards with 20 touchdown passes. He was also able to throw the ball but at the same time made some bad decisions with 10 so he had an 8.1 yards per attempt and a 57.9% completion percentage. He and Chase Roberts who had 843 receiving yards are going to be important players for BYU in the near future.
Another quarterback star for the Buffaloes Shedeur Sanders had a great season throwing 35 touchdown passes and 3926 yards. Due to such percentages, Sanders managed to achieve a 168.8 passer rating which is above the average. Although he got sacked 38 times, Travis Hunter’s (14 touchdowns) bonds and Sanders’ calmness made him quite a difficult man to play against.
Cougars’ Balanced Offense Looks to Shine
The offensive department of BYU works on the evenly distributed load strategy as LJ Martin had 630 rushing yards to his name with 5 touchdowns. Chase Roberts also contributes to the attack as he averages 16.5 yards per reception. The schedule has not been easy as the Cougars managed to get important victories against UTAH and UCF but suffered from 2 back to back defeats against Arizona State and Kansas which exposed their frailty in defense.
Buffaloes Bring Explosive Firepower
Colorado emphasizes on one of the most explosive attacks in the nation, with the inputs of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Sanders completions to Hunter, who caught 1,152 yards passed for 14 touchdowns, do not let the opponent get complacent. Although Colorado had issues with the run game, their passing game and their resurgence, capped off by a crushing 52-0 trouncing of Oklahoma State, highlight their capacity to overpower their adversaries.
Trends
BYU Cougars Betting Trends
BYU are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of BYU last 8 games.
BYU are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of BYU last 5 games against an opponent in the Big 12 conference.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brigham Young’s last 5 games played in December.
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Trends
Colorado are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
Colorado are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.
Colorado are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games against an opponent in the Big 12 conference.
Colorado are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games played in December.
Colorado are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games played on a Saturday.
BYU Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Betting Prediction
Due to Colorado’s potent offense and strong ATS record, they are favored; however, BYU’s balanced attack and resilience make the Cougars a dangerous underdog. Considering the scoring capabilities and playmakers of both teams, an over bet on 54.5 points would not be a bad idea.
As for recommendations on prop bets, you should place them on Shedeur Sanders to cover his passing yards total as BYU’s defense seems to struggle against top quarterbacks. Travis Hunter is also a good bet for an anytime touchdown.
Score Prediction: Colorado Buffaloes 35, BYU Cougars 31.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 28, 2024
Last updated: April 1, 2025