Colorado Vs Utah Game Preview, Score Prediction
Oct 24, 2025, 7:33 PM | Updated: 7:38 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — On Saturday, Utah hosts the Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in a late night Big 12 showdown that goes way beyond wins and losses—it’s about identity, momentum, and the conference. Here is the game preview and score prediction for tomorrow night’s contest.
Utah’s positioning is 5-2 heading into the weekend, needing a win to stay in the conference title race. Meanwhile Colorado sits at 3-4, after enjoying a bye week and win over Iowa State the week before.
RELATED: Utah Football Vs. Colorado Fan Guide: TV Info, What To Wear, Top Storylines
Back home for 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆‼️
🆚 Colorado
🏟️ @Rice_Eccles
⏰ SAT 10.25 | 8:15PM MT
📺 @ESPNCFB
📻 @ESPN700 / 92.1 FM#GoUtes | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/fwFGRZFivR— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 20, 2025
The Stakes in the Big 12 Race and Beyond
The Big 12 title race in 2025 is far from locked but heading into Week 9, BYU and Cincinnati hold the early lead. The rest of the field has work to do — and little margin for error — if any of them hope to topple the frontrunners.
A group of other contenders with one loss — including Arizona State Sun Devils (3-1), Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-1) and Houston Cougars (3-1) — are on their heels. Meanwhile, Utah, Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, and Kansas are all lumped together at 2-2 in conference play.
Now that Texas Tech has lost, it’s hard to say any team running the table. With several teams still in contention, head-to-head matchups and finishing strong will likely decide things. The season is past the mid-point for many teams, meaning fewer margins for error.
RELATED: A Complete History Of Utah Football’s Matchups With Colorado
When Utah Has the Ball
All eyes will be on the quarterback position: will it be Byrd Ficklin or will it be Devon Dampier?
Whittingham described it as a “distinct possibility” when asked about the potential for Ficklin to start this week. Dampier suffered an injury late in the game last weekend, and was clearly limited. However, he played through the injury then and has played through another one before.
Utah also may be without receiver Tobias Merriweather, so utah may need other pass catchers to step up against the Buffs.
The Utes’ blueprint remains classic: establish the run, control the line of scrimmage. Utah’s backs — Wayshawn Parker, Na’Quari Rogers, and Daniel Bray, will need to exploit Colorado’s shaky run defense.
RELATED: Devon Dampier’s Status Unclear, Byrd Ficklin Might Be The Answer For Utah This Week
When Colorado Has the Ball
Colorado’s hopes are built around explosive plays and making Utah uncomfortable. QB play, big receptions, chunk runs. The Buffs have also been much improved on the ground and could be getting back a couple of running backs to bolster the rushing attack.
Colorado’s Offensive Trio was ELITE in Week 7🔥🦬 pic.twitter.com/FpkasfIIXG
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 14, 2025
Quarterback Kaidon Salter has taken over the starting role this season and leads Colorado’s offense through the air. He’s thrown for 1,156 yards and 9 touchdowns, while also throwing 4 interceptions. He’s added a punch to the rushing attack, as he’s totaled 270 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.
Colorado has pass catchers in Omarion Miller, Joseph Williams, and Sincere Brown, all of whom provide big play potential.
Left tackle Jordan Seaton is living up to his billing as one of the top offensive tackle prospects a year ago. He’s allowed just one pressure all season long.
The Winning Recipe for Utah
Be prepared for Colorado’s bye week boost
Not only does Utah need to have removed any lingering emotion from last week’s loss, they need to be ready for an aggressive Colorado squad. The Buffs enter this game after a bye week, giving them extra recovery time and prep.
Utah must be alert — this won’t be the same Buffs squad they evaluated a month ago. Often teams will add tweaks to their offensive game plans, so Utah needs to punch in early with high energy and be ready for new wrinkles defensively. That puts the onus on Johnathan Hall to step up aggressively on defense, Levani Damuni is ready to fill in for Lander Barton, but Hall must take the lead.
Your @KSL5TV gameday weather forecast for @Utah_Football vs. Colorado.
Make sure to wear RED or BLACK depending on your seat location! 🔴⚫️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/UzNhr8YnMw
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) October 24, 2025
Establish the run. Set the tone.
Utah’s offensive line needs to dominate and create downhill opportunities both inside and outside. Last week they didn’t run cleanly up the middle but still had success to the perimeter. Against Colorado — which allows significant yardage on the ground — Utah should double-down on the run game.
Colorado has been stingy at the point of attack (solid stuff rate, low missed-tackle rate) but are susceptible to big gains. Utah must mix it up and avoid becoming predictable, and with the emergence of Bray, thats added another dynamic element.
Secondary + pressure game matter big time.
Colorado’s offensive line is better than past years, and their QB has been effective, especially when kept clean. Utah’s secondary must be sharp. Utah’s pass rush (including John Henry Daley vs. Jordan Seaton) needs to force discomfort, collapse pockets, and help the secondary by making the game harder for Colorado’s QB.
However, Utah’s coverage discipline will be crucial. Kaidon Salter has struggled against man coverage, but Utah can’t take that for granted. They’ve been improved but Smith Snowden, Scooby Davis, and Blake Cotton will need to be particularly sharp. Utah’s safety duo of Jackson Bennee and Tao Johnson need to elevate their games as well.
View this post on Instagram
Colorado vs Utah, Score Prediction
Expect a physical, fast-paced Big 12 late night showdown with some national attention. Utah has the tools, the depth, and the urgency to win this game. Colorado will fight hard, and look to play spoiler.
Coming off of a disappointing loss last week, the crowd can make a significant difference in this one. Utah needs to feed off of the crowd, while also providing moments to keep the crowd engaged. If they execute their identity—aggressive, disciplined, opportunistic—they’ll walk out with a signature win.
Score Prediction: Utah 27, Colorado 20
