DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Houston defeated Colorado 36–20 in a double-digit victory. Houston covered by 12.0; Game went Over by 10.5. The market closed at Houston -4.0 and the Blue Chip model made it Houston -7.7 - a gap of 3.7 points toward Houston, of which 2.7 points were beyond the model's measured factors. That was an information gap - the market pricing something the model does not carry - rather than a measured edge.
Ryan Staub started but struggled in the second half, throwing two interceptions and failing to generate offense after halftime. Coach Deion Sanders expressed uncertainty about the QB position moving forward, leaving the door open for Kaidon Salter or Julian Lewis to start against Wyoming.
Colorado's defense allowed Houston to score on its first three possessions and gave up 36 points overall. Coach Sanders described the defense as 'getting our butts kicked' and acknowledged poor performance across all phases.
After cutting the lead to 16-14 at halftime, Colorado managed only six points in the second half. The offense failed to capitalize on opportunities, including a turnover that led to no points.
The team allowed a fumble recovery touchdown just before halftime and struggled to contain Houston's rushing attack, which included two rushing touchdowns from quarterback Conner Weigman.
Coach Sanders emphasized that the team must do better in every phase, including preparation and execution. The Buffaloes will need to address these issues before hosting Wyoming next week.
Conner Weigman set career highs with 222 passing yards and 83 rushing yards, including two rushing touchdowns, showcasing his ability to impact the game both through the air and on the ground.
Houston scored on their first three possessions to build a 13-0 lead, and Weigman's 54-yard pass to Stephon Johnson set up a key touchdown, demonstrating the offense's ability to sustain drives and capitalize on big plays.
Ethan Sanchez tied a school record with five field goals (52, 43, 47, 35, 49 yards), providing reliable scoring and keeping the Cougars ahead despite missed opportunities in the red zone.
Blake Thompson's interception in the fourth quarter and the defense holding Colorado to six points after halftime were crucial in securing the win, highlighting the unit's ability to create turnovers and limit opponent scoring.
Houston is off next week before visiting Oregon State on Sept. 26, giving them time to prepare and address areas for improvement, such as red zone efficiency and field goal consistency.
At kickoff, conditions at TDECU Stadium were Clear, 80°F with winds of 5 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Clear
80°F
| Measure | ColoradoAway | HoustonHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 904 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Home game | 7 miles |
| Season total | 904 miles | 7 miles |
| Body clock | 17:30 | 18:30 |
| Rest | 6 days | 6 days |
