Alamo Bowl Showdown: No. 17 BYU vs. No. 20 Colorado
The much-anticipated Alamo Bowl features a matchup between the No. 17 ranked Brigham Young University (BYU), boasting a season record of 10-2, and the No. 20 ranked University of Colorado, which finished at 9-3. This exciting encounter is set to take place on December 28, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.
According to early betting odds, Colorado is favored to win by 2.5 points, making the game a close contest. A key area to watch will be the momentum of both teams’ rushing offenses and defenses. BYU excels at containing runners, allowing an average of 136.7 yards per game, placing them 43rd in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Conversely, Colorado’s rushing offense has struggled, ranking a lowly 134th by averaging only 70.4 yards per game.
In terms of rushing efficiency, BYU’s ground game ranks 52nd in FBS with an average of 4.6 yards per carry, while Colorado’s defense shows solid performance, conceding just 3.8 yards per run, good for 35th place nationally.
Recent Performances
In the last game, Colorado cruised to an impressive 52-0 victory against Oklahoma State. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders delivered a standout performance, completing 34 of 41 passes for an incredible 438 yards, with five touchdowns against one interception. Running back Micah Welch contributed to the scoring with one touchdown on 39 rushing yards, while LaJohntay Wester showcased his talent with 175 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
On the other hand, BYU played well in their recent outing, defeating Houston 30-18. Jake Retzlaff had a quieter game, throwing for 167 yards with no touchdowns and completing eight of his 19 attempts, while also recording two rushing touchdowns on 57 yards from nine carries. Receiver Chase Roberts was notable, catching three passes for 76 yards.
Key Players to Watch
For Colorado, quarterback Shedeur Sanders stands out with his fourth-best national ranking in passing yards, totaling 3,926 with an average of 327.2 yards per game. Sanders also impressively maintains a completion rate of 74.2%, accompanied by 35 touchdowns. Running back Isaiah Augustave adds depth with 373 rushing yards this season, while star receiver Travis Hunter has amassed 1,152 receiving yards, ranking seventh in the nation.
BYU’s Jake Retzlaff has thrown for 2,747 yards this season, with 20 touchdown passes to his name. His rushing ability adds versatility, with 389 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Running back LJ Martin leads the rushing attack with 630 yards and five touchdowns, while Chase Roberts is a key target in the passing game.
Statistics and Trends
From a statistical perspective, Colorado has outscored its opponents by an average of 12.5 points per game, while BYU has also performed admirably, outscoring foes by 10.7 points on average. Additionally, Colorado has a standout turnover margin, ranked 15th nationally at plus 10, forcing 23 turnovers, which is 12th in college football. BYU, despite ranking 60th in total yards per game at 393.3, relies heavily on its defense, which is ranked 20th, allowing just 317 yards per contest.
As fans gear up for this competitive matchup, both teams will be looking to leverage their strengths and exploit the weaknesses of their opponents in hopes of securing a victory in the Alamo Bowl.
