ESPN SP+ Predicts Final Score of Week 3 Colorado-Colorado State Matchup

Deion Sanders and Jay Norvell began chapter 1 of their in-state rivalry last season when the Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State Rams faced off. The game was a double overtime thriller, with the Buffaloes coming out on top 43-35 in Boulder.

Sanders will play the Rams in Fort Collins at Canvas Stadium this season. Both teams are 1-1 coming into the matchup. The Buffaloes lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 2, while the Rams beat Northern Colorado after losing to the Texas Longhorns in Week 1.

Colorado has won the last six meetings and has not lost to Colorado State since 2014. The Buffaloes lead the all-time series 68-22-2.

ESPN's SP+ thinks there will be another close game between the Buffaloes and Rams this season. However, it predicted a 34-26 Colorado win. Sanders has a 70% chance of victory and an 8.3 projected win margin. According to ESPN , the spread favors Colorado by seven points.

Last season's meeting produced plenty of offense on both sides. Through two games, Shedeur Sanders has 689 passing yards and five touchdowns. Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. have been Sanders' favorite targets, with over 200 receiving yards each.

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi leads Colorado State's offensive attack. Fowler-Nicolosi has 261 passing yards and one touchdown so far this season. Justin Marshall leads the Rams with 173 rushing yards. Veteran wideout Tory Horton leads Colorado State with 96 receiving yards.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS from Fort Collins on Sept. 14.

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