How to watch Colorado vs. Houston football: Time, odds, injuries and what to watch for

The Colorado Buffaloes hit the road for the first time this season on Friday as they travel down to Houston to take on the Cougars to open Big 12 play. The Buffs are coming off a big win at home against Delaware a week ago, but will have their work cut out for team down in the Lone Star State.

The biggest question for the Buffs is at the quarterback position. After Ryan Staub shined in the win last week, Coach Prime now has an important decision to make regarding who he wants to lead his offense out onto the field. Staub is the most familiar with Pat Shurmur’s offense, as he’s been here since 2023, while the veteran Kaidon Salter is very well still in the mix to stay as QB1. Reports earlier in the week indicated that Staub was expected to start, but Coach Prime refuted that claim.

Here’s everything you need to know for Friday’s contest, including the TV schedule, odds, injuries, and what to watch for.

HOW TO WATCH COLORADO VS. HOUSTON

Friday’s contest is set to kick off from Houston at 5:30 p.m. MDT and will be televised on ESPN.

The Herd is heading to H-Town#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/VHt8trjFNW

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 10, 2025

ODDS FOR COLORADO VS. HOUSTON

Spread/Total: Colorado +3.5, 44.5

Moneyline: Colorado +158, Houston -192

INJURIES FOR COLORADO VS. HOUSTON

COLORADO
OUT
CB Teon Parks
S Terrance Love
S TJ Branch
CB Kyle Carpenter
OL Phillip Houston
TE Charlie Williams
DE Samuel Okunlola
DT Jehiem Oatis
DT Gavriel Lightfoot

QUESTIONABLE
WR Omarion Miller

HOUSTON
OUT
RB Re’Shaun Sanford II
RB J’Marion Burnette
WR Anthony Gangi Jr.
WR Samuel Padgitt
DL Quindario Lee

QUESTIONABLE

PROBABLE

The biggest name to look out for is Colorado receiver Omarion Miller. He pulled his hamstring in the season opener against Georgia Tech and missed the Delaware game in Week 2. Coach Prime said that he’s farther away than Dallan Hayden, who’s listed as probable with a hand injury. Jehiem Oatis, the defensive tackle transfer from Alabama, is also listed as out after he popped up on the injury report midway though the week.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN COLORADO VS. HOUSTON

The obvious thing to watch out for is who starts the game at quarterback for the Buffs and if they end up playing the whole game. Coach Prime said that they can’t keep playing musical chairs at the position, and Friday’s contest could be his answer to that.

However, Colorado’s defensive backs will be the biggest key. They struggled in man coverage at times against Houston and got beat in one-on-one situations that the Blue Hens just didn’t capitalize on. They ran a lot of cover 1, which allowed them to load the box and focus on the run a week ago, but if the corners don’t play up to par again in man situations, that will force defensive coordinator Rob Livingston to go to some zone coverages.

As a result, the Buffs won’t have as many people in the box as they would in a cover 1 or cover 0 situation, which would play into the hands of Houston. Dean Connors, the Cougars’ running back, is averaging nearly seven yards per carry in two games this season, and has shown that he can be a force out of the backfield. The Buffs will have their hands full with him all afternoon, and need the corners to hold up on the outside so they can direct more focus to stopping the run.

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