Colorado football is 2-0 heading into a challenging Week 3 road matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats.
The Buffaloes wrap up nonconference play Saturday in Evanston against a scrappy Big Ten program that has had two weeks to prepare. However, the Buffs are battle-tested, having one opener at Georgia Tech, unlike the Wildcats (1-0), who have played only one game against FCS opponent South Dakota State.
Given the wet weather expected in Evanston, both teams will prioritize running the football, making run defense and controlling both lines of scrimmage even more critical. Northwestern gave up a worrying 147 rushing yards to South Dakota State, which should be a welcome sight for Brennan Marion and Colorado's offense.
Colorado's defense must focus
on stopping Northwestern's running game, particularly the quarterback runs, as the Wildcats' QB Aiden Chiles is a talented dual-threat. Although he rushed for only 18 yards against South Dakota State, the Wildcats rushed for 224 yards as a team.
Colorado enters the matchup as a slight road underdog, and because of the weather, many expect a tight, low-scoring game. With just about 12 hours left before kickoff, here is how to watch Colorado and Northwestern square off in Evanston.
What channel is Colorado vs. Northwestern on today?
- TV Channel: Fox
- Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Colorado-Northwestern will air nationally on Fox in Week 3 of the 2026 college football season. Noah Reed and Devin Gardner will call the game from the booth at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Streaming options include the Fox Sports app and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch Colorado vs. Northwestern on Fox
Colorado vs. Northwestern predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Friday, Sept. 18
- Colorado 21, Northwestern 17: I do not know what to make of this game. Northwestern has only played a lower-level team, so it's hard to gauge how ready the Wildcats will be, even though they are rested coming off a bye week. Add that unknown, plus the rain in the forecast, and I can see a low-scoring, close game. Both teams want to run the football and will try to establish that early. For me, it's a toss-up, but I do like the Buffs being a more battle-tested unit so far this year.
- Spread: Northwestern -3.5
- Over/Under: 48.5
- Money line: Colorado +146, Northwestern -104
Colorado Football Schedule 2026
All times in Mountain Time
- Week 1 at Georgia Tech: 14-13 win
- Week 2 vs. Weber State: 52-21 win
- Week 3 at Northwestern (5:30 p.m)
- Week 4 at Baylor (Sept. 26, 10 a.m)
- Week 5 vs. Texas Tech (Oct. 3)
- Bye week
- Week 7 vs. Utah (Oct. 17)
- Week 8 at Oklahoma State (Oct. 24)
- Week 9 vs. Kansas State (Oct. 31)
- Week 10 at Arizona State (Nov. 7)
- Week 11 vs. Houston (Nov. 13)
- Week 12 at Cincinnati (Nov. 21)
- Week 13 vs. UCF (Nov. 28)
- Record: 2-0, 0-0 Big 12
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Where to watch Colorado vs. Northwestern today: Time, TV, streaming
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