Colorado Buffaloes vs. Houston Cougars Picks and Prediction, Friday, September 12, 2025
In this Colorado at Houston prediction, the Buffaloes head into Houston to take on the Cougars in the first Big 12 conference game of the season for both schools. Colorado comes in with a record of 1-1, bouncing back from an opening loss to Georgia Tech with a home win over Delaware last week. Houston is a perfect 2-0 on the season after a decisive road win over Rice in week two. The opening kick is scheduled for 7:30 pm EST. Don’t get sacked this football season! Try our College Football Picks!
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Colorado kicks off conference play
The Colorado Buffaloes bounced back from a disappointing week one loss to Georgie Tech with a 31-7 win over Delaware at Folsom Field last Saturday night in Boulder. The win was orchestrated by the third-string quarterback Ryan Staub. Staub came off the bench near the end of the first half and turned a tight, 10-7 game into a comfortable 31-7 victory, throwing a pair of touchdowns in the process. He is slated to be the starting quarterback this week in Houston.
"He earned it," Head coach Deion Sanders said of Staub. "You want to reward them with an opportunity. I think that strengthens your team. When people say 'they played the guy that was on the third string quarterback,' and then guess what? He played so well the whole student body was chanting his name. I said, 'You got to be kidding me.' That's a blessing for me, because I really take a liking to those young men, like I'm I'm the guy I cried when I saw the movie Rudy. I did, okay, that's just who I am."
Staub finished the night going 7-of-10 for 157 yards passing and two touchdowns. Overall, the Buffaloes finished with 398 yards of total offense, including 268 yards through the air. Colorado ran the ball well, also, gaining 130 yards on the ground. Running backs Simeon Price and Dekalon Taylor led the way with a combined 103 yards rushing, each averaging over six yards per carry. The Buffaloes protected the ball well, failing to commit a turnover in the game.
Defensively, the team struggled, allowing Delaware 396 yards of total offense. That included 312 yards through the air. The Buffaloes had two sacks in the game overall and seven tackles for loss. Jeremiah Brown led the team with 10 tackles, including one for a loss. RJ Johnson recorded the only turnover for Colorado with an interception.
After two weeks, the Buffaloes are 58th in the country in points per game. They are 63rd in rushing the football and 70th through the air. Defensively, the team is 40th in points allowed per game. They are just 110th against the run and 75th against the pass. In two games, Colorado is ranked third in the nation in turnover margin.
Key Injuries: RB Dallas Hayden is questionable, and WR Omarion Miller is doubtful.
Houston looks to stay perfect
The Houston Cougars took care of business in their two-game non-conference slate, winning both games as they get set to kick off their second season in the Big 12 on Friday night at home against Colorado. Last week, the Cougars made the short trip to Rice and took care of the Owls in a 35-9 one-sided victory over their long-time rivals. Up 14-3 heading into the fourth quarter, the Cougars scored three times in the fourth quarter to cruise to their second win. Head coach Willie Fritz now readies his team for Colorado on a short week.
"I told the guys in the room, we just got to put this game to bed," Fritz said, per Houston. "Short week — we play on Friday night, not Saturday — so we're all going to get in there early as coaches. We've already worked in the summer, somewhat on Colorado — game plan, offense, defense, kicking game."
The Cougars unleashed a familiar face on the Rice defense on Saturday night, former Owl running back Dean Connors. Connors, who transferred to Houston from Rice in the offseason, rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries. The 132 yards represent the second-highest rushing total of his collegiate career.
University of Houston senior running back Dean Connors rushed for 132 yards with a pair of touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 35-9 win over Rice inside Rice Stadium during the Bayou Bucket Classic on Saturday night. Quarterback Conner Weigman finished the game 15-of-22 for 188 yards and a touchdown. In all, the offense accounted for 378 yards of total offense, including 198 on the ground.
The Cougars’ defense continued its strong start to the season. They forced two turnovers in the game and held Rice to just 51 yards passing. Latrell McCutchin Sr. led the team with 11 tackles while Carlos Allen chipped in with nine tackles. The defense put the game nearly on ice in the fourth quarter when cornerback Will James grabbed a deflected pass and went 37 yards for the pick-six to give Houston a commanding 21-3 lead.
The Cougars come in ranked 32nd in the nation in points per game. They are 27th in rushing and 90th in the country through the air. Defensively, the team ranks 13th in points allowed per game in the country. They are 39th against the run and second against the pass. The Cougars are 8th in the country in turnover margin.
Key Injuries: RB J’Marion Burnette and WR Marquis Shoulders are questionable. RB Re-Shaun Sanford II is out.
Colorado at Houston Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,778.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,716.00 |
| 3 |  David Hess | +1,326.00 |
| 4 |  Earle Sports Bets | +1,323.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +1,071.00 |
Point Spread pick for Houston
- Houston -5.5 (4 units)
The Cougars are 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2018. They have a great opportunity to go 3-0 when they welcome the Buffaloes into town this Friday night. The Cougars have been excellent on the ground through the first two games and square off against a Colorado team that ranks just 110th in the country in stopping the run. Houston also gets a shot at third-string quarterback Staub, likely making his first-ever start. Advantage goes to Houston, which ranks second in the country against the pass. The Cougars have a chance to earn a top 25 ranking with a decisive win on Friday night against a Colorado team still trying to find an identity. Expect the Cougars to take care of business and improve to 3-0.
Take Houston -5.5
Over/Under Pick for Colorado at Houston
- Over 44.5 (4 units)
Both teams can make chunk plays, particularly the Cougars on the ground. They should have their way with Colorado’s shaky run defense on Friday night. Overall, the Cougars are 32nd in the country in points per game. They can exploit the Buffaloes’ defense, which has shown issues both against the run and the pass. Houston will get a decent-sized lead, forcing Colorado to become one-dimensional. That will lead to chunk plays.
Take the over.
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