We’re just approaching the halfway point of the 2023 campaign, but it feels like we’ve already been treated to a season’s worth of storylines from Deion Sanders and Colorado. The Buffaloes have already exceeded their projected preseason win total and are eying bowl eligibility. The journey toward the postseason for Coach Prime and his program continues Friday night in Week 7 when they host Stanford at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.
The Buffaloes improved to 4-2 with a last-minute 27-24 win over Arizona State last weekend, marking the first Pac-12 victory with Sanders at the helm. Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata hit a 43-yard field goal attempt with 12 seconds left, ending an eight-game conference losing streak dating back to last season.
Stanford is aiming for a fresh start after the bye week. The Cardinal took a 6-0 lead in their last game against Oregon in the opening seconds of the second quarter before allowing 42 tiebreaking points to end the game. The Cardinal are playing in their first season under coach Troy Taylor after longtime program leader David Shaw resigned last season. Stanford started the year with a road win against Hawaii and has since lost four straight games.
How to watch Colorado vs Stanford live
Date: Friday, Oct. 13 | Time: 10 p.m. ET
Location: Folsom Field – boulders. Colorado
TV: ESPN | Live broadcast: fubo (Try for free)
Colorado vs. Stanford: Need to know
Two more wins were needed to end the series: Colorado is on the verge of doing something few would have thought possible in Sanders’ first season. If the Buffaloes manage to finish the season with two wins in their final six games, they will become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016. Colorado had the most drastic roster overhaul in college football history this offseason, bringing more than 50 new player transfers into the program. Although the season is far from over, it appears that the moves Colorado made in the offseason have led the program in the right direction.
Stanford is undecided at quarterback: In the season opener at Stanford, Taylor decided to use Ashton Daniels at quarterback. Since then, he has bounced back and forth between Daniels and Syracuse transfer Justin Lamson, who got the most reps against Oregon and finished the game completing 11 of 20 passes for 106 yards. Lamson appears to be in charge heading into the rest of the season, and a win over Colorado could solidify the quarterback battle going forward.
Travis Hunter’s return has yet to be confirmed: Sanders said earlier this week that Hunter could return Friday after missing the last three games because of a liver injury he suffered in the Week 3 win over Colorado State. Getting Hunter back would be a huge boost for Colorado on both sides, as he is one of the true tackling talents in the sport. The Buffaloes’ defense could use a spark after looking sluggish in Pac-12 play without Hunter in the lineup.
Colorado vs Stanford prediction
SportsLine consensus odds
The deciding factor for this game is Hunter’s status, as he is arguably the most valuable non-quarterback in the sport. The Colorado offense, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, should have no problem putting up points against a Stanford defense that allows more than 34 points per game. The biggest question mark is whether the Colorado defense can bounce back after sloppy performances against Oregon, USC and Arizona State. Stanford is the worst remaining team on Colorado’s schedule for the rest of the season, and the Buffaloes will have to take care of business if they want to be bowl eligible. Pick: Colorado -11.5
Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 7 and which underdogs will clearly win? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread – all using a proven computer model that has returned more than $2,000 in profit over the last seven-plus seasons – and find out.