Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CFB Picks, CFB Free Picks, CFB Predictions 10/25/25
- rbowe7447
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
COLORADO @ UTAH (UTAH -13.5, 48.5)
When Utah hosts Colorado on Saturday in Salt Lake City, the Utes may have a new starting quarterback. Devon Dampier hurt his ankle last weekend when the Utes lost to BYU 24–21. Dampier played the remainder of the game, but late in the second half, Byrd Ficklin was brought on for planned quarterback run plays.
Kyle Whittingham, the coach of Utah, admitted on Monday that Dampier "got beat up" against BYU and that it's unclear if he will be available this week. Whittingham stated that he has complete faith in the freshman's ability to lead the offense and that Ficklin will start for Utah (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) if Dampier is unable to go.
In his few appearances this season, Ficklin has been effective. In addition to running for 111 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, he has thrown for 138 yards and one touchdown on nine out of nine passes.
"We've got a ton of confidence in him every time he's entered a game," Whittingham stated. "He's done good things so far this year.... We have faith in him to complete the task if we decide to go that route due to his health.
Ficklin will face a Colorado team that has had a week off to get ready for the Utes if he makes his first career start on Saturday. Two weeks ago, the Buffaloes (3-4, 1-3) defeated Iowa State, then ranked No. 22, 24-17, to earn their first Big 12 victory. Kaidon Salter threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns, had no interceptions, and was not sacked by the Cyclones.
It was a good comeback for Salter, who had thrown three interceptions against TCU the week before. Salter has now passed for at least 200 yards in three games this season.
"He got to his feet and stood out. After Colorado defeated Iowa State, coach Deion Sanders praised Salter, saying, "He did his thing."
Last season, the Buffaloes ended a seven-game losing streak in the rivalry series by defeating Utah 49-24 in Boulder. Since 2013, Colorado has suffered six consecutive defeats to the Utes in Salt Lake City.
Utah leads the series between with Colorado 35-33-3.
FREE PICK: COLORADO +13.5
Sharp action has been coming in on Colorado all week as the word is getting out that Dampier might not start for Utah. The Buffs are starting to gel and the Utes are not. The Utah defense, considered one of the better units in the country, has allowed an average of 200 yards rushing over its last three games. Don't expect an upset win, but Colorado can keep this close with Utah playing a freshman quarterback.
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