Colorado State vs Texas Odds & Picks Week 1: Longhorns To Cover Large Spread

Everything, they say, is bigger in Texas—including the 32.5-point spread for the Texas Longhorns’ first game as a member of the SEC.

Indeed, that’s a whopper over Colorado State, a reputable Mountain West program with a respected coach in Jay Norvell. But last year was hardly the best of times in Fort Collins, where the Rams finished at 5-7 overall and 4-8 ATS. Texas meanwhile reached the College Football Playoffs in a 12-2 campaign that included a 4-3 ATS mark in the Longhorns’ final seven games, and a break-even cover rate overall.

Colorado State vs Texas Odds

Matchup Page: Colorado State Rams vs Texas Longhorns, 3:30 pm ET

Odds as of August 27

Colorado State vs Texas Picks—Week 1

Last season was the breakthrough for coach Steve Sarkisian at Texas, and the Longhorns on paper look good enough to finish the job in the CFP this time around. There’s so much talent returning on both sides of ball, headlined by the quarterback duo of Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. And the ‘Horns got busy in the transfer portal, filling needs with the likes of receivers Isiah Bond from Alabama and Silas Bolden from Oregon State, edge rusher Trey Moore from UTSA, and safety Andrew Mukuba from Clemson.

It's a very different situation at Colorado State, where Norvell is trying to snap a skid of six-straight losing seasons. The Rams have some pretty good pieces in quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, receiver Tory Horton and safety Jack Howell, but with little running game to speak of, last year was a lot of three-and-outs that put a tired defense in tough positions. Do that at Texas, and it will be a long afternoon.

But does all that still add up to the Longhorns covering a 32.5-point spread? Their recent history in these situations isn’t that reassuring, given that Texas failed to cover 35.5 in last year’s opener against Rice, and failed to cover 30.5 later against Wyoming. But this is a different Texas team, with all the pieces in place. With Michigan looming in Week 2, it’s time for the Longhorns to look the part.

Colorado State vs Texas Week 1 Pick: Texas -32.5 (-108)

While Texas went OVER in each of its final three games to end last season, this isn’t a run-and-gun offense—in fact, the ‘Horns went UNDER in eight of their first 11, which is more reflective of the type of balanced attack that Sarkisian runs. Colorado State went UNDER in five of its last six to end last season, and could struggle to score points in Austin if its pass-first offense can’t stay on the field.

Colorado State vs Texas Week 1 Pick: UNDER 60 (-110)

Colorado State vs Texas News

Colorado State tight end Jaxxon Warren, a 6-foot-8 transfer from Air Force, is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, Norvell told reporters Monday in Fort Collins. Warren was projected to be the starter. In addition, starting defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth is out because of turf toe. Gatukoth recorded 53 tackles, 6.5 of them for loss, last season.

Colorado State vs Texas Prop Pick: Texas to Win By 31-36 (+320)

If you like the Longhorns to cover this spread, you might as well go big with the prop bet selection as well. The margin-of-victory prop only adds to the value of what shapes up as an easy Texas win over an opponent that gave up 50 to Washington State and 44 to Utah State last season.

Colorado State vs Texas Betting Trends