The Colorado Buffaloes take on the Houston Cougars in Houston, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Houston is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -200. Colorado, meanwhile, comes in at +165 to pull off the upset. The total is set at 44.5 points.
Here’s my Colorado vs. Houston prediction and college football picks for Friday, September 12.
Colorado vs Houston Prediction
- Colorado vs. Houston Pick: Houston -4.5 (Play to -6)
My Houston vs. Colorado best bet is on the Cougars to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Colorado vs Houston Odds
| Colorado Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 44.5 -115o / -105u | +165 |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 44.5 -115o / -105u | -200 |
- Colorado vs Houston Spread: Houston -4.5 (-110), Colorado +4.5 (-110)
- Colorado vs Houston Over/Under: 44.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Colorado vs Houston Moneyline: Colorado +165, Houston -200
Colorado vs Houston College Football Betting Preview
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Preview
Colorado bounced back after a rough performance in their opening game against Georgia Tech last week, defeating the newly transitioned Delaware Fighting Blue Hens 31-10.
But as I dug into the post-game box score, I noticed many concerning aspects from that matchup.
First, Delaware outgained Colorado offensively, 413 to 388, in total yards. Colorado only ran one more offensive play than the Hens, so the result appears to be a bit of a box-score fraud.
Quarterback Kaidon Salter was battling an illness last week and was pulled from the matchup.
Quarterbacks Ryan Staub and Julian Lewis got their chance under center, where Staub could throw for two touchdown passes but one pick.
Salter is expected to make the start on Friday, but it is a tough matchup for the Colorado offense.
Looking at their offensive performances through two weeks, the Buffs' offense has relied on explosive plays to generate scores. They've been a middling team in Rush and Pass EPA per Play through two games.
I am concerned about the matchup, mainly because of the injury report.
Omarion Miller and Dallan Hayden are questionable, and head coach Deion Sanders mentioned in his press conference that Hayden is closer to being game-ready than Miller.
The Buffs will miss Phillip Houston on the offensive line, and tight end Charlie Williams is also out.
The situation is much uglier on the defensive side of the ball, which has already struggled for two weeks.
Defensively, the Buffs' secondary is completely depleted, with four players already declared out for Friday's matchup.
The Coogs do not pose a huge offensive mismatch for their defensive unit, but considering how much Colorado has struggled thus far, it’ll have their hands full being shorthanded.
What's important to note is that the Buffs have not done much to celebrate defensively except for their ability to limit Pass Explosiveness. However, the injuries in the secondary could impact that significantly, so their matchup against a struggling Coogs' offense will not be as easy as it may seem on paper.
I already had concerns about the Buffs heading into Friday night's game, but these injuries make it even more of a reason. They will already be shorthanded defensively, and if Miller cannot suit up, that will be an even larger blow to their offense.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Coogs have been a force on the defensive side of the ball through their first two matchups, and they have an opportunity to make a statement on Friday evening.
The Coogs enter the matchup ranking second nationally in EPA per Pass allowed and third in Available Yards Allowed.
I understand they've faced Stephen F. Austin and Rice thus far, but I am willing to go on a limb and say those teams are expected to be far better than people perceive. Even if you want to throw those defensive numbers out due to the level of talent those teams have, the reality is that the Coogs have only allowed nine points through two weeks.
Head coach Willie Fritz's team has been impressive thus far, but I have a lot of concerns on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback Connor Weigman, who transferred from Texas A&M, is coming off an injury-riddled campaign.
Weigman's numbers aren't impressive, but he has four touchdowns and zero picks through two games. The offense has relied mainly on explosive plays thus far and has yet to establish any rhythm offensively.
Running back Dean Connors has taken on the heavy workload, but has shared work with other backfield members. Running mate J'Marion Burnette has been ruled out for Friday, as well as a couple of other members of the wide receiver room.
The Coogs rank outside the bottom 110 nationally in Pass and Rush Success Rate, which is concerning heading into the matchup.
However, the matchup against the shorthanded Buffs' defense isn't too harsh.
It's an excellent opportunity for the Coogs to make a statement to the Big 12 on Friday, and I really like the matchup at home.
Colorado vs Houston Pick, Betting Analysis
I am laying the points with the Coogs at home.
I know their work isn't against the best competition, but people have taken their recent outcomes too lightly.
I love the matchup for the Houston defense, especially since the Buffs may be without Omarion Miller.
I have never been a huge Salter fan, and he lacks the consistency to be an effective passer.
The Colorado defense is a complete mess, so the Houston offense should be able to find its footing here.
I think the Coogs dominate at home with surplus matchups on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Houston -4.5 (Play to -6)
