Is Friday the Thirteenth a bad omen for 14th-ranked Houston (7-2, 4-2)? The Cougars are knocking on the door of the College Football Playoffs, but they can’t afford another regular season defeat. A road date with Colorado (3-6, 1-5) has some trap game potential. The Buffaloes aren’t doing very well, but they’ve shown flashes at points this season. Which of these Big 12 foes will come out on top this evening at Folsom Field?
The Cougars are listed as 9.5-point favorites over the Buffaloes, with the total set at O/U 51.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Friday’s Houston vs. Colorado matchup.
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Houston vs. Colorado prediction, preview
In a Big 12 filled with high-octane offenses, the Cougars might be its most balanced unit. They’re fourth in yards per pass attempt (8.9) and fifth in yards per rush attempt (5.2). Conner Weigman is a star at quarterback, putting up terrific numbers under center. Through nine games, he’s thrown for 2,280 yards, 22 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His connection with wideout Amare Thomas (698 yds., 8 TD) is something to look for tonight. Don’t forget about Patrick Overmyer either, one of the nation’s better tight ends. The junior has snagged 43 receptions for 498 yards and seven scores.
On the ground, it’s the two-headed monster of Makhi Hughes and Re’Shaun Sanford II. Together, the tailbacks have combined for 1,179 rushing yards, 234 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Weigman is no slouch with his legs either, scrambling for seven scores of his own. With that being said, Colorado has held its own on the ground. The Buffaloes are only allowing 3.53 yards per rush attempt to opponents, fifth-best in the conference. However, Deion Sanders’ squad has had a far more difficult time in the secondary. CU has allowed 7.5 yards per pass attempt and 21 passing touchdowns. That latter mark is the second-most given up in the Big 12.
When the Buffs are on offense, things have gone even worse. They’re currently averaging a conference-worst 19.8 points per game. For context, the next-closest program is TCU at 23.8 PPG. Colorado is averaging 3.64 yards per rush attempt and 7.8 yards per pass attempt, second and sixth-worst in the Big 12 respectively. The team has scored 14 points or fewer in five of their nine contests this season. That includes last Saturday’s 20-10 defeat at Arizona State.
Houston isn’t what you’d consider a defensively-minded team. The Cougars have allowed 24+ points to four different opponents this season. To boot, they’re giving up the conference’s fourth-most passing yards per game (252.9). Still, Colorado’s ongoing quarterback controversy makes it difficult to expect a turnaround tonight. Current starter Isaac Wilson has given up eight interceptions over his last five outings.
Houston vs. Colorado Pick, Best Bet
For all their faults, the Buffaloes have had occasional moments of competitiveness. Look no further than their three-point loss vs. #2 Utah back in October. Still, as the season winds down, that game looks like a complete outlier. The school has been outscored by double digits in five of their six defeats this year. A Houston offense that can put up points in a hurry seems like a bad matchup on paper. Don’t be shocked if the Cougars make a major statement on Friday in Boulder.
Best Bet: Houston -9.5 (-108)
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