Colorado vs Northwestern Prediction 9/19/2026 Today’s College Football Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Sep 12, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) reacts following a touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Weber State Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Colorado Buffaloes
Northwestern Wildcats
Team Records
2-0
1-0
Spread
+3.5 -115
-3.5 -105
Moneyline
+145
-175
Total
Over 47.5 (-112)
Under 47.5 (-108)
Where
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL
When
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time
07:30 PM EDT
TV
FOX
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.
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.
