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Colorado vs. Nebraska Prediction, Picks & Odds: Week 2

Mike Spector

Last Updated: September 7, 2024 8:00 AM EDT • 3 min 10 sec read.

Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter pulls in a touchdown against North Dakota State. We're backing Hunter in our Colorado vs. Nebraska prediction.
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter pulls in a touchdown against North Dakota State. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images.

Former longtime Big 8 rivals Colorado and Nebraska meet for the second straight season, with the Cornhuskers looking for payback after last year’s defeat.

My Colorado vs. Nebraska prediction looks at the curious point spread at our college football betting sites, with the Cornhuskers spending most of the week as more than touchdown favorites.

That's despite the Buffaloes thoroughly dominating the head-to-head matchup 36-14 last year in Boulder - and Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter being considered Heisman Trophy odds contenders.

Both Colorado and Nebraska are coming off wins in their season openers and hoping to shorten their College Football Playoff odds, as we make our Week 2 college football predictions.

Best Colorado vs. Nebraska picks

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

Colorado vs. Nebraska spread prediction: Week 2

Nebraska to cover the spread: -6.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Colorado walloped Nebraska in last year’s Week 2 showdown, but the Cornhuskers improved dramatically at the quarterback position after moving on from Jeff Sims.

Dylan Raiola Looks Like the Real Deal

One had to figure Dylan Raiola was the total package as he became the second true freshman quarterback to ever start a season opener for Nebraska.

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Raiola - Nebraska’s highest-rated high school recruit since 2006 - has three of Nebraska’s top four receivers from last year to throw to. And he's protected by an offensive line that returned four starters from a unit that finished in the top 50 in PFF’s run blocking grades.

In Week 1, Raiola led the Cornhuskers to their highest point total in three years and their most total yards in a game (507) in two years.

In Matt Rhule I Trust

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has a way of turning programs around quickly in his second year at the helm.

He improved Temple from a two-win team to a .500 team (6-6) between his first and second years, and Baylor went from 1-11 to 7-6 in his first two years on the job. 

Bettors who waited to back Nebraska until the end of the week did themselves a huge favor, as the Cornhuskers were bet down through the key number of seven from -7.5 to -6.5.

I would play Nebraska at anything less than a touchdown, and my $10 wager at FanDuel pays a $9.09 profit if it cashes.

Best odds: -110 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Colorado vs. Nebraska player prop

Travis Hunter Over 83.5 receiving yards (-114) ⭐⭐⭐

Hunter’s Heisman Trophy odds shortened considerably from +5000 at BetMGM before the season opener to +1500 after his seven-catch, 132-yard, and three-touchdown performance against North Dakota State. 

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The strength of Nebraska’s defense is on the defensive line (it was Phil Steele’s fifth-ranked unit). That line was a big reason the Cornhuskers ranked in the top 25 last year in rush success rate allowed, rush PPA allowed, and rush explosiveness allowed.

Thus, Coach Prime is likely to attack Nebraska through the air and let his son throw for most of the game, with Hunter being the biggest beneficiary. As a result, Shane Jackson also thinks the signal-caller is set to erupt in his Shedeur Sanders player props.

The best number and price are at FanDuel, where a $10 winning wager would return $8.77 in profits.

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%

Colorado vs. Nebraska odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Colorado vs. Nebraska game info

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 7
  • Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
  • How to watch: NBC, Peacock
  • Weather: 75 degrees, 9-mph winds, 5% chance of precipitation
  • Favorite: Nebraska -6.5 (-110 via FanDuel)

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”