Colorado vs Northwestern Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026
The Colorado Buffaloes visit the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM ET on FOX. Colorado is 2-0 overall and 0-0 in the Big 12 after beating the Weber State Wildcats 52-21, following a 14-13 road win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Northwestern is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the Big Ten after opening the season with a 34-18 victory over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Cash in a winner with our free NCAAF picks.
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado has scored 66 points through two games while averaging 261 passing yards and 181.5 rushing yards per game. Julian Lewis has completed 31 of 50 passes for 490 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Micah Welch leads the ground game with 164 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Joseph Williams has six receptions for 146 yards and two scores, while DeAndre Moore Jr. has produced 144 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.
The Buffaloes have allowed 17 points per game after holding Georgia Tech to 13 and giving up 21 against Weber State. Colorado has recorded six sacks, with Lamont Lester Jr. accounting for four of them. Randon Fontenette, Jah Jah Boyd and Naeten Mitchell have 11 tackles apiece, while Fontenette has the team’s interception. Toby Anene has one sack and a forced fumble, and Santana Hopper has added another sack. Colorado has forced two fumbles.
Injuries: TE Z. Atkins (undisclosed) is out.
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Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern scored 34 points in its opener while producing 273 passing yards and 224 rushing yards. Aidan Chiles completed 14 of 24 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Joseph Himon II gained 87 yards and scored on four carries, while Gavin Sawchuk added 69 yards on eight attempts. Griffin Wilde led the receiving group with three catches for 104 yards, and Alex Honig caught the Wildcats’ only touchdown pass.
The Wildcats allowed 18 points in their opening victory. Robert Fitzgerald led Northwestern with 14 tackles, while Kobie McKinzie and Damon Walters recorded nine apiece. Walters also produced the defense’s only interception. Braydon Brus and Brendan Flakes each recorded a sack. Northwestern’s kicking game was reliable as Jackson Kleather converted both field-goal attempts and all four extra points. Colorado’s passing attack will give this secondary a bigger challenge.
Injuries: WR H. Eligon II (lower body) is questionable.
Colorado vs Northwestern Prediction
Colorado enters with two wins and has produced more evidence on both sides of the ball. Lewis has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception, and the Buffaloes have multiple receivers capable of producing big gains. Northwestern also showed big-play ability in its opener, with Chiles averaging 11.4 yards per pass attempt and Himon breaking an 80-yard run. The key difference is Colorado’s pass rush. Lester has four sacks, and the Buffaloes have six as a team. That pressure can disrupt Chiles and create enough stops for Colorado to stay close throughout. The Buffaloes will make the decisive offensive plays late and win on the road. Final Score Prediction: Colorado Buffaloes win, 27-24.
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- Colorado Buffaloes +3.5 (-105)
- Over 48.5 (-115)
