Alamo Bowl 2024: Colorado Buffaloes vs. BYU Cougars

The upcoming Alamo Bowl on December 28, 2024, showcases a thrilling matchup between the Colorado Buffaloes and the BYU Cougars. With kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET and live coverage on ABC, this game promises to be one of the highlights of the postseason college football landscape.

A Glance at the Teams

• Colorado Buffaloes: Finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, showcasing a powerful offense led by Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and standout quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Hunter has made significant contributions with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Sanders boasts impressive stats with a completion rate of 74.2%, recording 3,926 passing yards with 35 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

• BYU Cougars: The Cougars achieved a notable turnaround in their second season in the Big 12, concluding the regular season with a 10-2 record. They are anchored by quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who has completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,796 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. BYU's strength notably lies in their defense, which has allowed only 317 total yards per game, ranking 18th in the FBS.

Key Statistics

Colorado Buffaloes:

• Offense:

  • Total Yards: 397.6 yards/game (57th in FBS)
  • Passing: 327.2 yards/game (4th in FBS)
  • Points Scored: 34.5 points/game (21st in FBS)

• Defense:

  • Total Yards Allowed: 353.7 yards/game (52nd in FBS)
  • Passing Yards Allowed: 204.7 yards/game (43rd in FBS)
  • Points Allowed: 22 points/game (34th in FBS)

BYU Cougars:

• Offense:

  • Total Yards: 393.3 yards/game (59th in FBS)
  • Passing: 233.9 yards/game (59th in FBS)
  • Points Scored: 30.8 points/game (45th in FBS)

• Defense:

  • Total Yards Allowed: 317 yards/game (18th in FBS)
  • Passing Yards Allowed: 180.3 yards/game (ideal for a strong defensive stance)
  • Points Allowed: 20.1 points/game (18th in FBS)

Predictions and Odds

Current predictions suggest a tight battle, but Colorado enters the matchup as favorites:

• Spread: Colorado (-3.5)
• Moneylines: Colorado (-150); BYU (+175)
• Over/Under: 54.5

Expert Picks:

• The majority of experts are leaning towards Colorado, citing their strong offensive capabilities and high stakes for key players like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. ESPN gives Colorado a 58.5% chance to win, while BetMGM models project Colorado with a 56.9% win probability based on simulations and team matchups.

How to Watch

Game Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
• Time: 7:30 PM ET
• Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
• TV: ABC
• Live Stream: Available on Fubo

Conclusion

With both teams featuring explosive talent and impressive statistics, the Alamo Bowl is set to be an unforgettable showdown. The Colorado Buffaloes are poised to make their mark, aiming for a 10th win of the season, while BYU looks to continue their strong defensive performance. Fans should prepare for an exciting game that promises to be a highlight of the bowl season.