The Big 12 matchup between the Colorado Buffaloes and Houston Cougars is stirring up a fair bit of excitement. Colorado’s looked shaky lately, while Houston’s got a good thing going on both sides of the ball. The Cougars seem set up for a big night.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s actually going on with these teams. If you want the in-depth stats and breakdowns, check out the full coverage here: Colorado vs. Houston predictions and picks.
Game Overview: Colorado Buffaloes vs. Houston Cougars
Colorado’s heading into this one after a rough start to their season. Offensively and defensively, they’ve had trouble finding their footing.
Houston, meanwhile, has looked pretty solid. They’re coming in as the favorites, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.
Colorado’s Quarterback Conundrum
Quarterback has been a revolving door for Colorado. Coach Deion Sanders has already cycled through three QBs this season.
Kaidon Salter had some decent moments, but he was benched for Ryan Staub, who stepped up against Delaware. Still, let’s be real—Delaware’s defense isn’t even close to what Houston will bring.
Houston’s Defensive Prowess
Defense has been Houston’s bread and butter so far. Head coach Willie Fritz has his defensive front humming, racking up five sacks already.
They’re holding opponents to just 3.0 yards per play. That’s going to be a huge test for Colorado’s O-line, which hasn’t exactly looked steady.
Key Players to Watch
- Dean Connors: Houston’s running back is having a season, with 182 rushing yards and a couple of touchdowns. He’ll be one to keep an eye on.
- Conner Weigman: The Cougars’ quarterback has kept defenses guessing with his versatility. He could be a real difference-maker.
- Ryan Staub: Colorado’s third-string QB will have his hands full facing a defense that’s a lot tougher than Delaware’s.
Betting Insights and Predictions
Looking at the odds, Houston’s favored by 4.5 points. Their offense is balanced, and their defense is tough, so they seem likely to cover.
- Houston -4.5: With Colorado struggling and Houston rolling, taking Houston to cover feels like a safe bet.
- Dean Connors Over 52.5 Rushing Yards: Colorado’s run defense has holes, so Connors could easily go over this number.
- Conner Weigman Over 1.5 Passing TDs: Weigman already has four TD passes this season, so betting the over isn’t a reach.
- Dean Connors First TD Scorer: Houston might try to set the tone early on the ground, making Connors a decent pick for first touchdown.
Why Houston Will Win
- Defensive Strength: Houston’s defense is just tough, plain and simple. They’re shutting down both the run and the pass.
- Balanced Offense: The Cougars can attack in multiple ways, and Colorado’s defense hasn’t shown they can stop much of anything yet.
- Home Advantage: Playing at TDECU Stadium, especially on a Friday night, gives Houston a little extra juice. That crowd gets loud.
Conclusion
The Colorado Buffaloes are squaring off with the Houston Cougars soon. It’s shaping up to be a genuinely interesting game.
Houston brings a pretty balanced offense and their defense is nothing to sneeze at. Honestly, they’ve got a solid shot to control the tempo and maybe even cover the spread.
If you want to get deeper into the numbers or see some betting angles, take a look at the full article on Colorado vs. Houston predictions and picks.
Game day can’t come soon enough. Whether you’re just watching for fun or hoping to cash in, this one should have a bit of everything.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
