Colorado's surprising victory over TCU generated substantial betting interest, making it one of the most-wagered college football games of the season. Even after the game, bets continued to flow in favor of Colorado.
Deion Sanders, in his coaching debut with Colorado, led the team to a 45-42 win as 21-point underdogs. Notably, Sanders became the first coach without interim status to win his first game as an FBS coach as an underdog of 20 points or more, a feat not achieved since the FBS/FCS split in 1978, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Colorado-TCU accounted for a significant portion of all college football bets on Saturday, making up 16% of the total betting action, surpassing most games from the previous season. DraftKings reported that more bets and money were placed on the Colorado-TCU matchup than any other game that day.
Following the win, some bettors placed new wagers on Colorado to win the national championship at long odds of 300-1. Despite the betting activity, bookmakers are cautious about Colorado's chances of winning the national championship and still offer the Buffaloes at triple-digit odds. However, there has been a notable shift in Heisman Trophy odds for Colorado players.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado's quarterback and the coach's son, saw his Heisman Trophy odds improve from 100-1 to 28-1 at Caesars Sportsbook. Travis Hunter, a versatile player for Colorado, also experienced a significant shift in his Heisman odds, moving from 80-1 to 22-1. FanDuel reported that by the end of the game, more bets were placed on Sanders and Hunter to win the Heisman Trophy than on any other player.
Sportsbooks noticed the "Prime Effect" during the winter when early odds for the 2023 college football season were posted. Colorado was initially considered a long shot, with national championship odds around 300-1. However, a substantial number of bets were placed on Colorado at those long odds, making the Buffaloes a significant liability for multiple sportsbooks.
Bookmakers have observed remarkable betting activity surrounding Colorado, with many bettors supporting them as if they were among the favorites to win it all. Despite the attention, bookmakers remain cautious about Colorado's championship prospects, particularly in the national championship market. However, Colorado's Heisman Trophy odds have seen more dramatic shifts, reflecting the excitement and optimism generated by the "Prime Effect" and the team's early-season success.