Colorado vs Houston 2025 : The 2025 college football season intensifies this Friday when the Colorado Buffaloes (1-1) take on the Houston Cougars (2-0) in a highly-anticipated Big 12 Conference opener for both teams. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Houston’s TDECU Stadium, with Houston currently favored by 4.5 points according to the latest odds. The over/under total points line is set at 45.5, signaling expectations for a moderately scoring contest.
Team Form and Key Players

Colorado enters the matchup coming off a strong 31-7 victory against Delaware after a narrow loss to Georgia Tech in their opener. Head coach Deion Sanders has made headlines by naming sophomore quarterback Ryan Staub as the starter for this game. Staub, who was previously third on the depth chart, impressed in limited play, throwing for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the Delaware win. Sanders’ strategy of deploying multiple quarterbacks, including transfer Kaidon Salter—who offers a running threat—and others like Lewis, adds an unpredictable element to Colorado’s offense that could challenge Houston’s defense.
Houston, meanwhile, is riding momentum from a convincing 35-9 win over Rice. Junior quarterback Conner Weigman leads their balanced offense, already throwing four touchdown passes this season. The Cougars boast a strong defense as well, allowing just 3.0 yards per play and accumulating five sacks so far. Houston’s running back Dean Connors has been particularly effective, rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns over the first two games. Their goal is to maintain their undefeated record and push to 3-0.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Experts favor Houston with a 60% chance of winning this game, projecting a close final score around 24-21 in their favor. The money line odds stand at -195 for Houston and +162 for Colorado, while the spread favors Houston by 4.5 points. Notably, Colorado (+4) has a decent chance—around 51%—to cover the spread, suggesting they could keep the game tight.
The prediction models point out some vulnerabilities in Colorado’s defense, especially in stopping the run, as evidenced by allowing Georgia Tech to rush for over 320 yards in the opener. Conversely, Houston’s defense is well-positioned to exploit these weaknesses. Offensively, Houston is expected to control the game, with Weigman’s aerial attack and Connors’ rushing threat creating favorable matchups.
Given these factors, the expert consensus leans toward a Houston victory, driven by strong defense and balanced offense, but Colorado’s innovative quarterback usage might keep the game competitive.
Bold Predictions and What to Watch
- Ryan Staub will see significant playing time alongside other Colorado quarterbacks, potentially surprising Houston’s defense with different play styles.
- Houston’s Dean Connors is likely to exceed 52.5 rushing yards.
- Quarterback Conner Weigman could throw more than 1.5 touchdown passes.
For bettors, Houston -4.5 looks like the best play given their home-field advantage and defensive strength. The under 45.5 points is also a plausible bet, considering the relatively conservative scoring projection.
Friday’s clash at TDECU Stadium promises exciting Big 12 action with playoff implications down the line. Houston aims to solidify its undefeated standing with a win at home,
while Colorado, under Deion Sanders’ leadership, is eager to
make a statement in the conference opener.
Fans should expect a competitive game full of
strategic quarterback plays and a battle between
Houston’s stout defense and Colorado’s emerging offense.
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