The quest for a championship begins on a hot Friday night in Southeast Texas.
Colorado has set out a clear goal for Deion Sanders’ third season in charge of the Buffaloes: win the Big 12. Even after a 1-1 start, everything they want to accomplish this season is in front of them.
The first two weeks of the season — a close loss to Georgia Tech and a wobbly win over Delaware that saw three quarterbacks play — might as well have been considered preseason games for a relatively new-look CU squad still learning how to play together.
But with Friday’s Big 12 opener at Houston (5:30 p.m. ESPN), the most important part of the schedule begins on what looks to be a mid-90 degree day.
Here’s what to expect from the Cougars:
Last time out
On a weekend filled with underrated rivalries across college football, Houston kept the Bayou Bucket with a 35-9 win over crosstown rival Rice, giving the Cougars nine wins in the late 10 meetings between the two programs.
But the victory wasn’t as comfortable as the final score suggests.
Rice held a 3-0 lead with a minute left in the first half before Houston running back Dean Connors (who left the Owls to join the Cougars in the offseason) broke off a 54-yard touchdown run to get his team on the board.
Houston running back Dean Connors (44) on his touchdown run against Rice during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
Michael Wyke
Quarterback Conner Weigman ran in a 9-yard score midway through the third quarter, but Rice still had hope after a Houston missed field goal kept the score at 14-3 entering the final 15 minutes.
But a tipped pass from Owls quarterback Chase Jenkins found the arms of Houston defensive back Will James and he returned it 37 yards for a touchdown that all but sealed the win for the Cougars, who tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a pair of explosive plays.
On offense
The new-look Houston offense has looked the part through two games.
Even though it was against lower competition and the Cougars have looked like a unit trying to find a rhythm at times, you can see why head coach Willie Fritz reunited with Slade Nagle and brought him in to be the offensive coordinator after the two worked together for eight seasons at Tulane.
It’s a balanced unit that was revamped by the transfer portal, with the three key figures all still new to the program. Weigman is a former five-star high school recruit who played three seasons at Texas A&M, but lost the starting job last season. He hasn’t taken many risks so far, completing over 65% of his passes through two games for 347 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman (1) passes the ball over offensive lineman Matthew Wykoff (74) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
Michael Wyke
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Weigman’s top target is Ball State transfer Tanner Koziol, one of the top tight ends in the transfer portal this offseason. Koziol has 13 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown through two games. No other player has more than five catches or more than 74 receiving yards.
Part of the reason for that is because the Cougars’ rushing attack has proved successful so far. Connors has 182 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 6.5 yards per carry thanks to a pair of runs of over 40 yards.
After the Buffs struggled to contain the run in Week 1 and the pass on Saturday against Delaware, Houston might be able to pick which facet it wants to rely on.
On defense
Houston is also working with a new defensive coordinator as Austin Armstrong was hired away from Florida after Shiel Wood took the same position at Texas Tech.
The Cougars have taken care of business defensively through two games, holding their opponents to 9 total points and just 186 yards per game.
Rice running back Quinton Jackson, left, is caught by Rice cornerback Jerrick Harper, center, and defensive back Wrook Brown, right, during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
Michael Wyke
Florida International transfer Eddie Walls III has made an instant impact with three tackles for loss (including a sack) to begin his Cougars career, while returners Jalen Garner and Latrell McCutchin Sr. have picked up where they left off at linebacker and cornerback, respectively.
This Friday will be the biggest test for this group, not just because CU boats more offensive talent than Stephen F. Austin and Rice, but because no one outside of the Buffs facility knows who is going to play at quarterback. Could it be Ryan Staub after his impressive performance? Will Kaidon Salter get a third-straight start? Houston will likely have to prepare for both of them.
The Houston Cougars File
Record: 2-0
Head coach: Willie Fritz (2nd season, 6-8 record)
Offensive coordinator: Slade Nagle (1st season)
Defensive coordinator: Austin Armstrong (1st season)
Names to know: QB Conor Weigman, RB Dean Connors, TE Tanner Koziol, DL Eddie Walls III, LB Jalen Garner, DB Latrell McCutchin Sr., DB Will James
Betting line: Colorado +4.5 (ESPN Bet)