Colorado at Northwestern Week 3 College Football Matchup Colorado at Northwestern Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 19 2026 · Week 3 · 🏟 L&S Martin Stadium (Temp) Evanston, IL · Turf · 15,000 cap
Colorado✈ 925 mi+1 hr TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Colorado
22
Northwestern
26
P&R Line Northwestern -4
P&R Total O/U 47.5
Confidence 63 Moderate
Matchup Prediction
Northwestern has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Northwestern entering this game.
Momentum Control
71.6%
Northwestern wins
Solid
Game Control
58.6%
Northwestern wins
Lean
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Northwestern · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
🛋 Northwestern Coming off BYE
Colorado 2026 Schedule
Colorado's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Colorado at Georgia Tech+5.5
Sat 9/12Colorado vs Weber State-24
Sat 9/19Colorado at Northwestern+4
Sat 9/26Colorado at Baylor+6
Sat 10/3Colorado vs Texas Tech+22.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Colorado vs Utah+6.5
Sat 10/24Colorado at Oklahoma State+8
Sat 10/31Colorado vs Kansas State+5.5
Sat 11/7Colorado at Arizona State+9
Sat 11/14Colorado vs Houston+5.5
Sat 11/21Colorado at Cincinnati+3.5
Sat 11/28Colorado vs UCF+0.5
Northwestern 2026 Schedule
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Northwestern vs South Dakota State-25.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Northwestern vs Colorado-4
Sat 9/26Northwestern at Indiana+25.5
Fri 10/2Northwestern vs Penn State+8
Sat 10/10Northwestern vs Ball State-28
Sat 10/17Northwestern at Michigan State-0
Sat 10/24Northwestern vs Rutgers-4.5
Sat 10/31Northwestern at Oregon+26.5
Sat 11/7Northwestern vs Iowa+8
Sat 11/14Northwestern at Ohio State+29
Sat 11/21Northwestern at Minnesota+6
Sat 11/28Northwestern at Illinois+9
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Northwestern PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Northwestern
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Colorado #99
+0.289
Northwestern #83
+0.365
Northwestern Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Colorado #84
+0.453
Northwestern #85
+0.624
Northwestern Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Colorado #80
0.151
Northwestern #83
0.150
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Colorado Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Colorado #95
+6.855
Northwestern #116
+7.224
Northwestern Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Colorado #131
+0.805
Northwestern #57
+0.862
Northwestern Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Colorado #78
71.3
Northwestern #82
71.5
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Colorado Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Colorado Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Colorado #68
0.1
Northwestern #74
-0.6
Offense Rating
Colorado #69
15.7
Northwestern #62
16.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Colorado #69
15.6
Northwestern #81
16.6
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Northwestern Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Colorado #112
0.42
Northwestern #26
1.67
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Colorado #76
1.25
Northwestern #44
0.67
Northwestern +1.25
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 71.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Northwestern Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Colorado #89
33.2
Northwestern #90
43.2
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Colorado #108
50.9
Northwestern #77
40.7
Northwestern +10.0
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Colorado
Deion Sanders #108
16–21 (43%) · Yr 4 at school
OC Brennan Marion Yr 1 #19
DC Chris Marve Yr 1 #34
Staff Rating
2.91 #54
Northwestern
David Braun #119
19–19 (50%) · Yr 4 at school
OC Chip Kelly Yr 1 #13
DC Tim McGarigle Yr 3 #62
Staff Rating
2.71 #69
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself