It is a must-win for the Colorado Buffaloes when they take on the Houston Cougars on Friday. If Colorado loses this game, their chances of making a bowl game will officially be gone. But with a win, the Buffaloes keep their postseason hopes alive going into their game against Cincinnati.
Houston comes into this game ranked No. 14 in the CFP after their 31-24 win over the Bearcats. They have a solid defense and a good quarterback. He is not an explosive playmaker like some other quarterbacks Colorado has faced, particularly Drew Mestemaker a few weeks ago, but Houston quarterback Conner Weigman needs to be contained if Colorado is going to win.
How Conner Weigman can change this game
Houston's most recent game against Cincinnati is a good example of how Weigman changes games. He did
not beat the Bearcats with bombs downfield. He beat them by making the right read, getting completions, moving the chains and getting in the end zone. Weigman is not a rushing quarterback, but he can run when he has to, as in his two-yard touchdown run against Cincinnati in the second quarter.
Colorado has struggled against the pass this season, allowing 243.7 passing yards per game and a completion percentage above 60 percent in four of the last five games. If they allow Weigman to do that on Friday, the Buffaloes will lose their shot at a bowl game.
How Colorado slows Weigman down
Houston has only lost twice for a reason. Weigman is consistent in wins and losses. He has only two interceptions, both in wins. They beat UCF when his completion percentage was only 54.3 percent and won while throwing for just 227 yards against Cincinnati, his lowest total against a Power Four team this season.
In every game this season, he has thrown at least three total touchdowns except against Utah. Against the Utes, he completed only 54.3 percent of his 35 passes, second only to his 38 pass attempts in the Cougars' loss to Texas Tech.
Prediction
Colorado's defense has been good at keeping them in games this season. Three of their losses have been by 10 points or less, and their game against Texas Tech was close for three quarters. Their problem has always been scoring.
They managed only 10 points against Arizona State last week, and Houston has a good defense. I don't see the Buffaloes scoring enough points to keep Weigman and the Cougars' offense off the field long enough to slow them down.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado vs. Houston: How to slow down QB Conner Weigman
