Colorado (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) at Houston (2-0, 0-0 Big 12)

When/where: 5:30 p.m. Friday/TDECU Stadium

TV/Radio: ESPN/KOA 850 AM, 94.1 FM

BetMGM Line: CU +5.5, 45.5 over/under

Weather: 79 degrees, clear skies

Series History: CU won the first and only matchup in the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1971, 29-17

Three storylines

Buffs’ QB situation: After the Buffs played three QBs in last week’s win against Delaware, third-stringer Ryan Staub stood out over prized freshman recruit Julian Lewis and senior transfer Kaidon Salter. When Staub came into the game, CU was stagnant. After four series at the helm, the Buffs were up 31-7. Despite all the preseason talk about the competition between Lewis and Salter for the starting job, could Staub actually be the guy? He’s been getting the first-team reps in practice this week. Saturday’s a big litmus test.

Toughest Test, Part 2: After Georgia Tech bullied the Buffs in Boulder a couple of weeks ago, using the ground game to rack up yardage and control the clock, expect Houston to enact a similar game plan. Georgia Tech outgained CU 463 yards to 305 in that opener, largely because CU couldn’t handle the Yellowjackets’ tenacity in the trenches. The Buffs’ front seven must contain Houston tailback Dean Connors, who is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, while CU has to be able to run the rock on offense.

Fast start: The Buffs looked sluggish last week against Delaware before Staub entered the game, holding a 10-7 lead late in the second quarter. Going into that final possession of the first half, the Buffs had 20 first-half points combined over the first two weeks — and that was with Georgia Tech turning the ball over on three consecutive possessions in the opener. Those sorts of starts must stop if CU is going to match last year’s 9-3 regular season — especially on the road.

Predictions

Kyle Newman, sportswriter: Houston 31, CU 21

Ryan Staub holds his own in his second career college start and first since at Utah in 2023. But just like the game against Georgia Tech, the Buffs get pushed around and outgained in the running game and can’t make key stops when they need them. The Big 12 opener leaves a salty taste in CU’s mouth and opens up more questions about this team’s identity: Are the Buffs tough enough to hang in the Big 12 this season?

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 26, Houston 23 (OT)

Kaidon Salter’s running is his greatest strength, yet he struggles to throw on the run. The college game looks too fast for freshman Julian Lewis. Ryan Staub is Deion Sanders’ least-talented option on paper, who, oddly enough, probably runs Shurmurball the best. That can’t be discounted, as Houston, while it’s got the ball, could chew up a lot of clock against this CU defensive front. The Buffs need a signal-caller that — in Shedeur fashion — is cool with scoring quickly and unflappable while playing from behind in a hostile environment. That sounds more Staub than Salter, but would it shock anyone if we saw both?

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Houston 27, CU 24

Before Ryan Staub entered last week’s game, the Buffs offense had gone from explosive and jaw-dropping to methodical and head-scratching. With Staub taking snaps this week, CU can finally use all those weapons on the perimeter again. Unfortunately, that doesn’t solve this team’s biggest problem: The Buffs’ inability to consistently stop physical, run-first attacks.

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