College Football Week 1 Early Odds, Picks & Prediction: TCU vs. Colorado (2022)
Let’s take a look at the College Football Week 1 odds, picks, and predictions for this week’s game: TCU vs. Colorado.
Check out our other Week 1 game previews:
- Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia
- Penn State vs. Purdue
- Louisiana Tech vs. Missouri
- Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State
- Indiana vs. Illinois
- Western Michigan vs. Michigan State
- Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech
- New Mexico State vs. Minnesota
- Georgia State vs. South Carolina
- Nevada vs. Texas State
- Western Kentucky vs. Hawaii
- North Carolina State vs. East Carolina
- Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
- Boise State vs. Oregon State
- Arizona vs. San Diego State
- Utah State vs. Alabama
- Middle Tennessee vs. James Madison
- Cincinnati vs. Arkansas
- Florida State vs. LSU
- Utah vs. Florida
- Colorado State vs. Michigan
- Rice vs. USC
- Oregon vs. Georgia
- Louisiana-Monroe vs. Texas
- Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
College Football Week 1 Early Odds, Picks & Prediction: TCU vs. Colorado
| Away | Home | ATL | Spread | Difference | ATT | Total | Difference | Day | CST |
| TCU | Colorado | 15.2 | 10.5 | 4.7 | 56.5 | 55.5 | 1 | Friday | 9:00 |
TCU (-10.5) at Colorado
TCU was tied with USC for the biggest jump in my power rankings from the end of last year to the beginning of this year. Last year's team had two primary issues, the passing game and the defense. Both should be much improved in 2022.
TCU QB Max Duggan, the starter for most of last season, finished No. 19 in the FBS in turnover-worthy throw rate and No. 73 in adjusted accuracy. QB Chandler Morris is a much better fit for new HC Sonny Dykes' Air Raid offense. And TCU has the personnel to take to the air-based attack quickly, with one of the nation's best receiving corps and a potential top-25 OL.
Last year's TCU defense gave up 10.7 PPG more than it gave up the year before. With eight starters returning on that side of the ball, the Horned Frogs will likely be closer to its 2020 number (24.2) than 2021 (34.9).
While TCU returns 18 starters and ranks No. 9 in Phil Steele's returning experience chart, Colorado was crushed by transfer portal defections. The Buffaloes lost 23 players to the portal (which I believe led the nation). HC Karl Dorrell was forced to play defense in the portal, signing guys just to plug ever-expanding defection holes.
Last year's Buffs stunk. This year's version will definitely be worse. I see a 1-11 or 2-10 season coming, and I don't think Dorrell survives all 12 games.
There's value on TCU at this number.
Bet: TCU (-10.5)
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
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