ESPN Bet · as of July 8, 2026
Colorado defeated Delaware 31–7 to secure a comfortable win. Colorado covered by 0.5; Game went Under by 11.5. The market closed at Colorado -23.5 and the Blue Chip model made it Colorado -15.8 - a gap of 7.7 points toward Delaware, of which 5.8 points were beyond the model's measured factors. That was an information gap - the market pricing something the model does not carry - rather than a measured edge.
Nick Minicucci threw for 312 yards and a touchdown but also had an interception, showing ability to move the ball against a Power 5 defense but with turnover issues.
Delaware was within 10-7 before Colorado's third-string QB sparked a 21-point surge, indicating the team struggled to maintain defensive intensity after halftime.
As a new FBS team in Conference USA, Delaware faced a 24.5-point underdog spread and lost, highlighting the gap in depth and talent against higher-level competition.
Coach Ryan Carty emphasized the need to learn from the defeat to avoid it 'beating us twice,' suggesting a focus on correcting mistakes for future games.
Carty holds a 9-2 record in non-conference games, with the only other loss to No. 5 Penn State in 2023, showing the team typically bounces back in these matchups.
Colorado used a planned rotation of Kaidon Salter, Julian Lewis, and Ryan Staub, with Staub ultimately taking over as the hot hand. This creates uncertainty for next week's game plan against Houston, as Coach Deion Sanders has not committed to a starter.
Staub, the third-string QB, threw two touchdown passes and led the team to 21 points on four drives. His composure and familiarity with the offense could make him a strong candidate for increased playing time, impacting betting lines and fan expectations.
The defense forced two turnovers, stopped Delaware on downs twice, and blocked a punt, bouncing back from a loss to Georgia Tech. This defensive resilience is a positive sign for the upcoming Big 12 opener against Houston.
Nine different players caught passes, with Sincere Brown leading with 120 yards. The offense accumulated 398 total yards, showing versatility that could challenge Houston's defense.
Colorado travels to Houston for a Friday night game, marking their first Big 12 contest. The QB rotation and defensive momentum will be key factors in predicting the outcome, as Houston will prepare for multiple potential quarterbacks.
At kickoff, conditions at Folsom Field were Partly cloudy, 65°F with winds of 5 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Partly cloudy
65°F
| Measure | DelawareAway | ColoradoHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 1,563 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Home game | Home game |
| Season total | 1,563 miles | 0 miles |
| Body clock | 15:30 | 13:30 |
| Rest | 9 days | 7 days |
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