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Northwestern opened the 2026 season as a favorite against South Dakota State and will once again be favored heading into Week 3 against Colorado.

Following a 34-18 victory over South Dakota State in its season opener, the Wildcats open the week as 3.5-point favorites over Colorado, according to current sportsbook lines. The matchup is set for Sept. 19 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. 

The early betting line gives Northwestern a clear expectation heading into one of its most anticipated games of the season. The Wildcats are 1-0 after putting together an impressive opening-week performance, while Colorado enters the matchup at 2-0.

Northwestern’s season opener showed plenty of reasons for optimism. The Wildcats totaled 497 yards of offense and rushed for 224 yards against South Dakota State, while quarterback Aidan Chiles accounted for a passing touchdown and a rushing score in his first game running head coach David Braun and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s new-look offense.

Joseph Himon II also broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run as Northwestern pulled away late. 

The defense provided another reason for the Wildcats to enter the Colorado matchup with confidence. Northwestern allowed 432 total yards but held South Dakota State to only one touchdown on five red-zone trips.

The Wildcats also recorded 13 pass breakups, their most in a game since at least 2004, showing the potential of a defense that could become one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Colorado, however, has already faced two different challenges to begin its season.

The Buffaloes opened the year with a last-minute victory over Georgia Tech before following it up with a more comfortable win over Weber State. The second performance was much more convincing, giving head coach Deion Sanders and Colorado momentum heading into the trip to Evanston. 

That makes the upcoming matchup an intriguing early-season test for Northwestern.

The Wildcats have had an extra week to prepare after their Week 1 victory. The bye gives Northwestern an opportunity to recover from the physical demands of the opener, evaluate what worked and what did not and prepare specifically for a Colorado team that has already played two games.

The extra time could also be important for Northwestern’s offense. While the Wildcats showed explosive potential against South Dakota State, the offense went through stretches where it struggled to maintain rhythm and stay ahead of the chains. The bye provides another opportunity for Chiles and the offense to continue developing within Kelly’s system before facing a tougher opponent. 

There will also be plenty of attention surrounding the venue.

Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will host the matchup, with tickets currently listed as sold out through some ticket marketplaces. The game will also be one of the final opportunities to see Northwestern football at its temporary lakefront home before the Wildcats transition to the new Ryan Field later in the season. 

With the books giving Northwestern an early edge, the Wildcats now have to prove they can handle the expectations that come with it.

Colorado will arrive in Evanston undefeated and with confidence after two wins, while Northwestern will have the benefit of home-field advantage, an extra week of preparation and the momentum of its Week 1 victory.

The 3.5-point spread is not a prediction of what will happen on Sept. 19, but it does show how the matchup is being viewed entering the week. Northwestern has earned the position of favorite. Now, the Wildcats will have to show they can play like one.

The week ahead should provide a better indication of whether Northwestern is ready to build on its strong start or whether Colorado can take advantage of the expectations surrounding the Wildcats.

Either way, the matchup represents Northwestern’s first major test of the 2026 season.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Northwestern opened the 2026 season as a favorite against South Dakota State and will once again be favored heading into Week 3 against Colorado.

Following a 34-18 victory over South Dakota State in its season opener, the Wildcats open the week as 3.5-point favorites over Colorado, according to current sportsbook lines. The matchup is set for Sept. 19 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. 

The early betting line gives Northwestern a clear expectation heading into one of its most anticipated games of the season. The Wildcats are 1-0 after putting together an impressive opening-week performance, while Colorado enters the matchup at 2-0.

Northwestern’s season opener showed plenty of reasons for optimism. The Wildcats totaled 497 yards of offense and rushed for 224 yards against South Dakota State, while quarterback Aidan Chiles accounted for a passing touchdown and a rushing score in his first game running head coach David Braun and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s new-look offense.

Joseph Himon II also broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run as Northwestern pulled away late. 

The defense provided another reason for the Wildcats to enter the Colorado matchup with confidence. Northwestern allowed 432 total yards but held South Dakota State to only one touchdown on five red-zone trips.

The Wildcats also recorded 13 pass breakups, their most in a game since at least 2004, showing the potential of a defense that could become one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Colorado, however, has already faced two different challenges to begin its season.

The Buffaloes opened the year with a last-minute victory over Georgia Tech before following it up with a more comfortable win over Weber State. The second performance was much more convincing, giving head coach Deion Sanders and Colorado momentum heading into the trip to Evanston. 

That makes the upcoming matchup an intriguing early-season test for Northwestern.

The Wildcats have had an extra week to prepare after their Week 1 victory. The bye gives Northwestern an opportunity to recover from the physical demands of the opener, evaluate what worked and what did not and prepare specifically for a Colorado team that has already played two games.

The extra time could also be important for Northwestern’s offense. While the Wildcats showed explosive potential against South Dakota State, the offense went through stretches where it struggled to maintain rhythm and stay ahead of the chains. The bye provides another opportunity for Chiles and the offense to continue developing within Kelly’s system before facing a tougher opponent. 

There will also be plenty of attention surrounding the venue.

Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will host the matchup, with tickets currently listed as sold out through some ticket marketplaces. The game will also be one of the final opportunities to see Northwestern football at its temporary lakefront home before the Wildcats transition to the new Ryan Field later in the season. 

With the books giving Northwestern an early edge, the Wildcats now have to prove they can handle the expectations that come with it.

Colorado will arrive in Evanston undefeated and with confidence after two wins, while Northwestern will have the benefit of home-field advantage, an extra week of preparation and the momentum of its Week 1 victory.

The 3.5-point spread is not a prediction of what will happen on Sept. 19, but it does show how the matchup is being viewed entering the week. Northwestern has earned the position of favorite. Now, the Wildcats will have to show they can play like one.

The week ahead should provide a better indication of whether Northwestern is ready to build on its strong start or whether Colorado can take advantage of the expectations surrounding the Wildcats.

Either way, the matchup represents Northwestern’s first major test of the 2026 season.

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