Houston’s offense has been a steady machine this season, and the Cougars will rely on it when they face Colorado at Folsom Field on Friday night. Sitting at 7-2, Houston knows it must win out and hope for help to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive, with this matchup against Colorado offering a crucial chance to stay in the conversation.
Houston ranks first in the nation in third down conversions, a statistic that highlights their ability to sustain drives. Their ground game complements this, averaging more than five yards per carry, which keeps the chains moving and controls the clock. Only Utah has managed to hold Houston under 150 rushing yards this season, a fact that underlines the strength of Houston’s running attack.
Colorado has struggled offensively throughout the year, managing just one win in its last seven games. The Buffaloes need to find a way to generate more points if they want to become bowl eligible by winning their last three games. Their upcoming schedule includes trips to Cincinnati and a home game against UCF, both tough tests after facing Houston.
The Buffaloes’ defense faces a challenge containing Houston’s methodical offense. Colorado has failed to win when allowing more than 125 rushing yards, going 0-4 in those games. The Buffaloes will have to tighten their run defense to prevent Houston from dominating possession. On the offensive side, Colorado must work on opening up its downfield passing game. Houston’s defense tends to allow over 200 passing yards except in games against Kansas State and Southern, so Colorado will need to capitalize on their chances to make big plays.
Turnovers and penalties have hurt Colorado all season. While the Buffaloes have been better at limiting giveaways recently, their special teams have been a weak spot, contributing to their struggles. Houston, meanwhile, has been more consistent, avoiding mistakes that could swing the game. That steadiness will be important in a matchup that is expected to be close.
This will be only the third meeting between the two programs. Houston took last year’s game 36-20, while Colorado won the 1971 Bluebonnet Bowl. The recent history favors Houston, but Colorado will look to use home advantage and a desperate need for wins to stay competitive.
After this game, Houston faces West Virginia and closes the regular season at home against Baylor. Both games are expected to be high-scoring affairs. Colorado’s season finishes with trips to Cincinnati and a home game against UCF, both must-win games if they want to reach bowl eligibility.
The consensus prediction from betting markets favors Houston by 10.5 points, with an over/under total of 51.5. The Cougars are expected to dominate time of possession and pull away late, finishing around 31-21, according to projections compiled from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Kickoff is set for 10:15 p.m. Eastern on November 13, with ESPN broadcasting the game live from Boulder. The outcome will have significant implications for Houston’s playoff hopes and Colorado’s push for a postseason appearance.
According to Yahoo Sports.