No. 12 Texas Tech will look to stay unbeaten when the Red Raiders travel to Boulder for a Week 5 showdown against Colorado. Texas Tech enters the matchup at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play, fresh off victories over Sam Houston State (49-14), Houston (28-26), Oregon State (35-24), and Abilene Christian (33-10).
Colorado, meanwhile, is 2-2 and coming off back-to-back losses to Baylor (23-13) and Northwestern (41-7) after opening the season with wins over Georgia Tech (14-13) and Weber State (52-21). After their most recent loss to Baylor, Deion Sanders announced a change at quarterback, moving from JuJu Lewis to Isaac Wilson for this game.
With the Buffaloes’ change at quarterback, and the Red Raiders emerging as a legitimate Big 12 contender looking to defend their 2024 Big 12 title, this matchup carries major implications for both programs as conference play begins to heat up. But in some ways, those implications are for very different reasons. Here’s a prediction, preview and pick for the game.
Colorado vs. Texas Tech Odds
- Spread: Texas Tech -13.5
- Over/Under: 50.5
- Moneyline: Texas Tech -630/Colorado +450
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Can Isaac Wilson Turn Around the Colorado Offense?
For those of us who have watched Colorado football, the move off JuJu Lewis can’t possibly come as a surprise. During last week’s game against Baylor, Sanders pulled Lewis and turned to Wilson in an effort to spark the offense. While Colorado ultimately came up short, Wilson provided enough encouragement, going 12/25 for 156 yards and one touchdown, that the coaching staff is now expected to stick with him heading into one of the toughest games on the schedule. However, what exactly does the Brennan Marion Go-Go Offense look like under Wilson. You’ll see Wilson in the shotgun with two backs on either side. The offense operates at a permanent two-minute-drill pace, aiming for 80 to 90 snaps a game to prevent defenses from substituting, resting, or getting comfortable.
The problem is that Colorado has only averaged 73 plays per game this season. A big part of that is because the passing attack has been so porous. If Isaac Wilson can get that back on track, then maybe this offense can score some points, especially against a Texas Tech pass defense that has been unimpressive, ranking 14th in the Big 12 so far this season.
Colorado vs. Texas Tech Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Texas Tech 31, Colorado 20
The Red Raiders have not yet shown to be the team they were in 2025. They have been inconsistent, sloppy, and disappointing in many aspects on both sides of the ball. And Colorado’s defense has been underrated. It’s partially been a victim of the inability of the offense. We saw vs. Georgia Tech what it’s capable of, and there were flashes against Baylor last week as well, where they held Baylor to 3.3 yards per rush and 5.7 yards per pass. If Isaac Wilson can just show any flashes of competency, and quick decision making with the offense, then Colorado can get some mojo going and hang in this game. At home, with their backs against the wall, the Buffaloes can hang around this game, but it won’t be enough to win. But it will be enough to get a cover.
For what it’s worth, despite roughly 90% of both tickets and money backing Texas Tech, sportsbooks have moved the spread from around Texas Tech -14.5 to -13. That type of reverse line movement often suggests respected bettors are taking Colorado and the points, even as the public piles onto the undefeated Red Raiders.
Texas Tech wins. Colorado covers.
