Colorado college football betting odds: Deion Sanders Coach of the Year, Shedeur’s Heisman predictions

Akron Beacon Journal

22 September 2023

Colorado college football betting odds: Deion Sanders Coach of the Year, Shedeur’s Heisman predictions

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The Colorado Buffaloes have dominated the headlines this season, so it’s no surprise betting markets are plentiful for Deion Sanders’ crew.

Below is a preview of Deion’s Bear Bryant Award betting market, Shedeur Sanders’ Heisman odds, and an updated look at Colorado’s win total. Wagering on these markets and more is available through our sports betting promo code links, which also deliver up to $4,465 in bonuses for first-time customers:

The Bear Bryant Award goes to the best coach in college football, with votes coming from the National Sports Media Association.

What Deion has done in Boulder this season is unprecedented. Colorado, which won one game in 2022, has already tripled that mark in just three games, including impressive wins over No. 17 TCU and Nebraska.

Deion took the route less traveled when constructing the Buffaloes roster. Coach Prime overhauled the coaching staff and roster, relying greatly on the transfer portal. Leading the team is Deion’s son, Shedeur, and former five-star recruit Travis Hunter.

Deion’s immediate success has reportedly made some fellow head coaches uneasy, as the unrealistic standard for new hires may become instant success in year one or two. In reality, only Deion, given his access to a pair of top-tier transfers from Jackson State in Shedeur and Hunter, along with other players, is capable of these early staggering results.

However, the Colorado hype may die down as the season progresses. The Buffaloes begin Pac-12 play, and difficult matchups against Oregon, USC, UCLA, Oregon State, Washington State, and Utah loom.

If Deion and the Buffaloes can win two of those matchups and take care of business against inferior Pac-12 foes, Sanders deserves the Bear Bryant Award. Colorado may not qualify for the Pac-12 Championship or College Football Playoff, but his quick turnaround of the Buffaloes would still be worthy of earning coach of the year honors.

Shedeur was an afterthought to win the Heisman at the start of the season, but his sensational performances quickly catapulted him up the odds market leaderboard.

Here’s a look at Shedeur’s stat line from Colorado’s opening three games:

vs. TCU: 38/47 passing for 510 yards and four touchdowns
vs. Nebraska: 31/42 passing for 393 yards, two touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown
vs. Colorado State: 38/47 passing for 348 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception

Shedeur’s 1,251 passing yards are the second-most in college football, and his 136 attempts are second behind Hawaii QB Brayden Schager, who has played one more game than Shedeur.

Despite Shedeur’s unbelievably high usage, he’s only thrown one interception after three games. While it’s unlikely the 21-year-old will continue playing at this level, it’s not impossible, considering the Pac-12 doesn’t have many stellar defenses.

Losing Hunter for the next three games due to injury makes Shedeur’s Heisman chances slimmer, as Travis’ 213 receiving yards are the third-most for the Buffaloes. But Shedeur has a stronger connection with Xavier Weaver, who has 386 yards and two touchdowns.

A rocky road is ahead for the Buffaloes, starting with consecutive games against Oregon and USC. But afterward, Colorado takes on an Arizona State squad that lost 29-0 at home vs. Fresno State. Expect the Buffaloes to take down the Sun Devils.

Up next is a showdown with Stanford, who lost a home matchup vs. FCS Sacramento State, 30-23. Mark that down as another win for Deion and Co.

Colorado’s final five games of the year are against quality Pac-12 teams, and three games are on the road. Expect Colorado to pull off two upset victories, leaving the Buffaloes with a 7-5 record.

Many doubted Deion in the preseason, and the same is happening with conference play on deck. His detractors were wrong the first time, and anyone continuing to overlook Deion and Colorado will suffer the same consequence.

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