Colorado vs Northwestern Prediction 9/19/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Colorado Buffaloes and the Northwestern Wildcats meet in week 3 college football action from Martin Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Colorado Buffaloes vs. Northwestern Wildcats Prediction.

Colorado Buffaloes Recap

The Colorado Buffaloes come into this game looking to add on to their 52-21 win over Weber State last time out to sit at 2-0 on the year. After this game, Colorado will head on the road for a game against Baylor.

Buffs Looking To Stay Unbeaten

Julian Lewis has thrown for 490 yards, 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions on 62.0% passing while Micah Welch leads the Buffaloes in rushing with 164 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns so far this season. Zero more Buffaloes have at least 100 rushing yards as well this season including Damian Henderson II who has 85 yards and 0 TDs while Joseph Williams leads Colorado in receiving with 146 receiving yards and 6 catches while DeAndre Moore Jr. leads the team with 8 catches along with 144 receiving yards and 1 touchdown so far this season. On defense, Jah Jah Boyd, Naeten Mitchell, Randon Fontenette, and Tyler Martinez are tied with a team-high 11 total tackles each while Lamont Lester Jr. leads Colorado with 4 sacks, and Colorado’s defense as a whole has combined for 6 sacks and 1 interception so far this season.

Northwestern Wildcats Recap

The Northwestern Wildcats come into this game looking to build on their win over South Dakota State by a final score of 34-18 last time out to start the year at 1-0. After this game, Northwestern will head on the road for a game against Indiana.

Wildcats Looking To Defend Home Soil

Aidan Chiles has thrown for 273 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions on 58.3% passing while Joseph Himon II leads the Wildcats in rushing with 87 rushing yards and 1 touchdown so far this season. Zero more Wildcats have at least 100 rushing yards as well this season including Gavin Sawchuk who has 69 yards and 0 TDs while Griffin Wilde leads Northwestern in receiving with 104 receiving yards and 3 catches to lead Northwestern along with 0 touchdowns as well this season. On defense, Robert Fitzgerald has a team-high 14 total tackles in addition to 0 sacks while Northwestern’s defense as a whole has combined for 2 sacks and 1 interception so far this season.

Colorado Buffaloes @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: Week 3

Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win

• The favorite has won each of Northwestern’s last nine games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
• Colorado has lost six of its last seven road games.
• Northwestern has covered the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Colorado has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last nine games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Northwestern has won the first quarter in each of its last four September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• The favorite has won the first half in 16 of Northwestern’s last 17 games.

Why the Colorado Buffaloes will win

• Colorado has won seven of its last eight September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of Colorado’s last four games.
• Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in 21 of its last 28 September games as a favorite.
• Colorado has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Four of Colorado’s last five road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Four of Northwestern’s last five games against non-conference opponents at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.

Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Griffin Wilde ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Yards Per Reception (34.7) this season.

Colorado Buffaloes Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Quentin Gibson ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Northwestern ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Northwestern ranks 138th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (19).
• Colorado ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• One of Colorado’s two games this season have been decided by a margin of three points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Northwestern Wildcats Prediction

I’m on Colorado and the points in this one. I get the case to be made for the Wildcats at home, but I’m still not trusting this Northwestern team as I think Colorado is the more talented squad in this matchup. The Wildcats do have the rest advantage and the film advantage having two games of film to work with, but I still think the wrong team is favored here and I look for Colorado to walk away with the win here. Give me the Buffaloes.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Colorado +3.5