Colorado Hosts Houston in Bowl-Hopes Showdown
The Buffaloes, last among Big 12 teams in the ESPN Football Power Index, face the Cougars at Folsom Field on Nov. 13.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Football
Colorado hosts Houston at Folsom Field on Nov. 13, 2026, in a game that will shape the Buffaloes' bowl eligibility. Colorado must win its final three games to reach a bowl, starting with the Cougars.
Why it matters
Colorado's 3-6 record and -1.8 FPI rating leave its postseason hopes in doubt, while Houston is positioned to compete for the College Football Playoff. The matchup marks a steep test for a Buffaloes team with long odds to reach six wins.
Colorado has a 2.0 percent chance to win out and a 2.0 percent chance to reach six wins, per ESPN Football Power Index projections. Houston has a 25.9 percent chance to win its remaining schedule and a 21.6 percent chance to make the College Football Playoff.
The players
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder football program competes in the Big 12 Conference and plays its home games at Folsom Field.
Houston Cougars
The University of Houston football program competes in the Big 12 Conference and is positioned among the league's stronger teams by RPI.
The details
Colorado (3-6) hosts Houston on Nov. 13 at Folsom Field in Boulder. The Buffaloes must win their final three games to become bowl eligible, and the Cougars enter with a strong resume, ranked fifth-best in the Big 12 by RPI.
Timeline
Week of Veterans Day 2026: Colorado lands recruiting momentum, including Tavarren Wade's cornerback commitment for 2027 and tackle Li'Marcus Jones's flip back to the program.
Nov. 13, 2026: Colorado hosts Houston at Folsom Field.
Season Trajectory
Colorado's ESPN Football Power Index rating of -1.8 is the only negative mark among Big 12 teams, placing the Buffaloes last in the conference. A win over Houston would be the first step in a three-game run needed to reach bowl eligibility.
A Colorado win would keep its bowl hopes alive, while a loss would leave the Buffaloes needing to win their final two games with the postseason still at stake. Fantasy and betting interest may track Houston's favored status against the struggling home side.
The takeaway
Colorado's path to a bowl runs through a difficult stretch, and the Houston game sets the tone for whether the Buffaloes can salvage the season. Fans tracking the team should watch how the program responds to recent recruiting momentum.
What happens next
Colorado hosts Houston at Folsom Field on Nov. 13, 2026, the next scheduled game in its bowl-eligibility push.
Further reading
For more on the program's season, see Football coverage across Boulder.
