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Colorado football opponent preview: Big 12 schedule begins with trip to Houston

By Tyler King May 29, 2025 | updated 2 months ago

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Colorado’s return to the Big 12 was filled with several first-time road games.

The 2025 season will be much of the same, and it begins with the conference opener on a Friday night.

The Buffaloes will take on Houston for just the second time in program history and the first as conference opponents. The teams met in the 1971 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, a 29-17 Buffs win.

But this will be CU’s first trip to TDECU Stadium and Houston’s campus and it will come on Sept. 12 (5:30 p.m. ESPN).

Here’s what to expect from the Cougars:

Offseason storylines

None of the Big 12 newcomers on the football field have adjusted as poorly as Houston over the last two years.

After winning 20 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons under coach Dana Holgorsen, the Cougars went 4-8 in their first season in the Big 12 in 2023 and quickly moved on, hiring veteran coach Willie Fritz from Tulane.

Well, Houston went 4-8 again in Fritz’s first season, even if progress was shown late in the season. Yes, the back-to-back wins over Utah and Kansas State were impressive. But the Cougars had to get better across the board and show signs that more significant progress will be made in 2025.

Kansas St Houston Football

Houston linebacker Michael Batton, center, celebrates his interception against Kansas State with linebacker Jalen Garner (36), and defensive backs Jeremiah Wilson (20) and Kentrell Webb (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Michael Wyke

Kansas St Houston Football

Houston linebacker Michael Batton, center, celebrates his interception against Kansas State with linebacker Jalen Garner (36), and defensive backs Jeremiah Wilson (20) and Kentrell Webb (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)



Michael Wyke


Both the offensive and defensive coordinators are new. Houston lost 28 players but brought in 30 new transfers rated as the third-best transfer portal class in the Big 12, trailing only Texas Tech and Colorado.

Will it matter? Time will tell.

On offense

If any unit in the Big 12 was in need of an overhaul, it was the Cougars offense. Houston ranked in the bottom six nationally in yards per game and had the second-worst scoring offense in the country in 2024. A passing game that averaged slightly over 150 yards per game was the biggest reason.

Houston hopes it solved that problem with the addition of former five-star high school recruit and Houston-area native Conner Weigman from Texas A&M. An injury-riddled career with the Aggies saw Weigman lose his job to Marcel Reed, and he’s in search of a fresh start.

Texas A M Mississippi St Football

Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman (15) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)

Randy J. Williams

Texas A M Mississippi St Football

Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman (15) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)



Randy J. Williams


He was on the way back to full health in spring practices in hopes of taking the starting quarterback job from Zeon Chriss, a run-first player.

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Leading rusher Re’Shaun Sanford II is also back for Houston. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Rice transfer Dean Connors, who could provide a spark to the offense.

Wisconsin transfer tight end Tanner Koziol was the Cougars’ biggest portal addition outside of Weigman. Koziol could be the focal point of the offense.

On defense

The reason for the defensive coordinator change was for a much different reason. While Kevin Barbay was fired and replaced by Slade Nagle at offensive coordinator, Houston was forced to replace up-and-coming defensive coordinator Shiel Wood after he was hired away to fill the same position at Texas Tech.

Austin Armstrong arrived in Houston after two seasons in the same role at Florida. He has big shoes to fill after Houston ranked in the top 30 in the country in total defense and fourth in the Big 12 in scoring defense.

Mississippi Florida Football

Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong looks on from the sideline against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Phelan M. Ebenhack

Mississippi Florida Football

Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong looks on from the sideline against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)



Phelan M. Ebenhack


He’ll have to do it without some big time playmakers. First-team all-Big 12 defensive back A.J. Haulcy left for Auburn. The team’s leading tackler, Michael Batton, and sacks leader, Keith Cooper Jr., graduated.

Only one of the team’s top-five tacklers is back: defensive back Kentrell Webb. FIU edge rusher Eddie Walls III and Auburn cornerback Keionte Scott have a chance to be difference makers among the large group of newcomers.

The Houston Cougars file

2024 record: 4-8 (3-6 Big 12)

Head coach: Willie Fritz (2nd season)

Offensive coordinator: Slade Nagle (1st season)

Defensive coordinator: Austin Armstrong (1st season)

Key returners: QB Zeon Chriss, RB Re’Shaun Sanford II, WR Stephon Johnson, DB Kentrell Webb, DL Carlos Allen Jr.

Key newcomers: QB Conner Weigman, RB Dean Connors, TE Tanner Koziol, CB Keionte Scott, EDGE Eddie Walls III

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Tyler King

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