No. 14 Houston (7-2) travels to Folsom Field on Friday to face Colorado (3-6) in a matchup that carries far more weight for the visiting Cougars than for the Buffaloes. This Houston vs Colorado preview covers a team chasing a Big 12 playoff resume against a Colorado squad looking to salvage a rough second half of its season. Houston averages 35.4 points per game, more than 15 points better than Colorado’s 19.8, and the gap between the two offenses is the central question of the week.
Houston Vs Colorado Game Information
- Date: Friday, Nov. 13
- Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
- TV: ESPN
- Weather: 48 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation
Can Houston’s Offense Keep Rolling On The Road?
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman has completed 170 of 257 passes for 2,280 yards with 22 touchdowns against just two interceptions this season, numbers that reflect the Cougars’ 66.4% completion rate and 9.1% touchdown rate on the year. Running back Makhi Hughes has carried 129 times for 606 yards and four scores, part of an attack that totals 470.2 yards per game, nearly 85 yards more than Colorado allows on average.
Houston is also converting at an elite clip, moving the chains on 59.29% of third downs and 64.29% of fourth-down tries. Those numbers suggest the Cougars rarely face a situation they cannot answer, which matters against a Colorado defense that has allowed 29, 27, 57 and 20 points in its last four games.
What Is Colorado’s Path To Slowing Houston Down?
Colorado’s defense has surrendered big numbers of late, including a 57-24 loss to Oklahoma State on Oct. 24, but the Buffaloes did find a formula to win in overtime against Kansas State on Oct. 31. Colorado’s own offense leans on quarterback Isaac Wilson, who has thrown for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns but also eight interceptions, a turnover rate that has contributed to the team’s minus-3 turnover differential this season.
Receiver Joseph Williams has been Colorado’s most productive weapon, catching 58 passes for 853 yards and six touchdowns. Running back JaQuail Smith has managed just 384 yards on 81 carries, and Colorado’s run game averages only 130.2 yards per game, well behind Houston’s 207.7.
Expected Starters And Injury Notes
No players appear on the injury report for either team heading into Friday, so both Weigman and Wilson are expected to start at quarterback. Houston is expected to lean on the Hughes-Weigman combination that has carried its offense all season, while Colorado’s game plan is likely to run through Wilson and Williams given the gap in rushing production.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Houston 35.4, Colorado 19.8
- Total yards per game: Houston 470.2, Colorado 385.7
- Passing yards per game: Houston 262.6, Colorado 255.4
- Rushing yards per game: Houston 207.7, Colorado 130.2
- Third-down conversion rate: Houston 59.29%, Colorado 37.40%
- Turnover differential: Houston +2, Colorado -3
- Sacks allowed per game: Houston 1.1, Colorado 2.3
- Total takeaways: Houston 8, Colorado 15
Key Matchup: Houston’s Ground Game Against Colorado’s Front
Houston’s rushing attack, averaging 207.7 yards per game behind Hughes and a 5.2 yards-per-carry average, lines up against a Colorado run defense that has allowed opponents to average 3.6 yards per carry of its own offensive output while giving up 130.2 rushing yards per game to opposing units. Colorado has tallied 93 stuffs and 62 tackles for loss this season, numbers that show the Buffaloes can disrupt a backfield when their front holds up. If Houston establishes Hughes early, it opens play-action opportunities for Weigman and Amare Thomas, who has caught 47 passes for 698 yards and eight touchdowns.
What To Watch
Houston’s turnover differential of plus-2 contrasts sharply with Colorado’s minus-3, a gap that has shown up in the Buffaloes’ four losses in their last five games. The Cougars enter as the nation’s No. 14 team working to build a resume for the Big 12 playoff picture, while Colorado is looking for any sign of stability after allowing 57 points to Oklahoma State last month. How Colorado’s defense handles Houston’s balanced attack, and whether Wilson can protect the ball against a Houston defense that has forced eight takeaways this season, will shape how competitive Friday’s game stays in Boulder.
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