The Colorado Buffaloes football team is off to a solid start this season and is currently 3-1 after an exciting overtime win against Baylor University last week. The game was an intense back-and-forth affair that ended in a 38-31 victory for the Buffaloes thanks to a game-saving forced fumble by standout Travis Hunter in the end zone. This key defensive play prevented Baylor from pushing the game into double overtime and secured the Buffs’ third win of the season.

As they prepare to take on the UCF Golden Knights this weekend, oddsmakers have pegged the Buffaloes as significant underdogs. CBS Sports lists Colorado as a 14.5-point underdog, a surprising number given recent performances under coach Deion “Prime” Sanders. Nevertheless, Coach Prime and the Buffaloes seem unfazed by adversity and are ready to prove themselves once again. They have already proven their ability to defy expectations and the upcoming clash offers the opportunity for another upset.

In the first half of the game against UCF, Colorado had a strong performance. Coach Prime’s motivational tactics seemed to work well as the Buffs jumped out to a 14-point lead early in the second quarter. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Coach Prime’s son, leads the offense with confidence and efficiency.

Sanders has thrown the ball 17 times, completing 14 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Despite the early interception, Sanders remained in control of the game and demonstrated his resilience and maturity as a quarterback. The Buffs’ rushing attack has also proven to be extremely effective and has already produced two rushing touchdowns with an average of a solid 5.9 yards per carry.

WATCH: Shedeur Sanders 47-yard touchdown to Will Shepard vs. UCF

UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson was able to respond late in the second quarter, leading a successful drive that culminated in a rushing touchdown. This reduced Colorado’s lead to seven points. However, UCF’s momentum didn’t last long. The Buffaloes’ defense stayed strong and forced a turnover on downs, giving Colorado a chance to extend its lead. They took advantage of the opportunity with a field goal just before halftime and extended their lead to 24-14.

Although Jefferson performed well, completing 13 passes for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception, UCF’s offense struggled to establish the ground game. This was a surprise to many as the Knights typically rely on their run-heavy offensive system. In the first half, the Buffaloes’ defense stifled UCF’s rushing attack, holding them to just 43 yards on the ground and a meager 2.4 yards per carry. These defensive efforts have been key to Colorado’s success, and they have every reason to be optimistic heading into halftime.

With a 13-point lead at halftime, many bettors who saw UCF as 14.5-point favorites must be nervous. Colorado’s defense has shut down the top-ranked rushing team in the country, and if they can maintain that level of performance in the second half, they could secure another upset victory.

The second half will depend on the adjustments of both teams. If Coach Prime and the Buffaloes can continue to disrupt UCF’s offense, particularly their rushing attack, they have a good chance of leaving this game with a 4-1 record, furthering their status as one of the biggest surprises of the season to consolidate.