Under the crisp mountain air of LaVell Edwards Stadium, the BYU Cougars host the Houston Cougars on Saturday in a pivotal Week 14 Big 12 clash. BYU enters after a narrow 28-23 loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils, while Houston fell 20-10 to the Baylor Bears.
For BYU, the stakes couldn’t be higher. They remain one of nine Big 12 teams still alive in the race for a championship berth, but they’ll need help—a win, combined with two losses among Arizona State, the Iowa State Cyclones, or the Colorado Buffaloes, sends BYU to the title game. Our Houston vs. BYU prediction examines if they can handle their business.
Houston vs. BYU Betting Preview
All Houston vs. BYU odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
BYU -13 - Spread
BYU -13 - Moneyline
BYU -550, Houston +450 - Over/Under
41.5 points - Game Time
10:15 p.m. ET - Location
LaVell Edwards Stadium | Provo, UT - Predicted Weather at Kick
31 degrees, mostly cloudy, 4 mph winds - How To Watch
ESPN
BYU initially opened as an -11-point favorite, but that number has steadily climbed to -13, where it currently sits. The total opened at 42.5 and has dropped a tick to 41.5, where it currently sits. Both the total and spread are likely to see some more action before kickoff, which will result in some more line movement.
Houston’s Winning Probability
According to CFN’s Football Playoff Meter, the Cougars have a 17.0% chance of defeating the Cyclones on Saturday.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
If the win probability holds, Houston will finish their 2024 campaign at 4-8. That would mark back-to-back years for the Cougars with a 4-8 finish, giving them just eight total wins in their first two seasons as a member of the Big 12 conference.
- at BYU: 17%
BYU’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, BYU has an 83% chance of defeating Houston on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, BYU will finish the 2024 regular season with a record of 10-2. Following a rough first year in the Big 12 in 2023, when they finished 5-7 and missed a bowl game, this redemption season would give head coach Kalani Sitake and the Cougars their third double-digit win season in the last five years.
- vs. Houston: 83%
Prediction for Houston vs. BYU
In Provo, the stakes are clear: BYU seeks redemption against Houston in a pivotal Big 12 matchup. Houston enters with turmoil, as quarterback Zeon Chriss has struggled this season, throwing for just 668 yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Running back Re’Shaun Sanford II leads the ground game with 413 yards, while Stephon Johnson has tallied 348 receiving yards and two scores. Defensive sparks have come from 19 sacks and 12 interceptions, but the offense has faltered.
The recent firing of offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay adds another layer of uncertainty, with quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell stepping in as interim.
BYU, once soaring at 9-0, now finds itself at 9-2 after back-to-back losses, including a 28-23 defeat to No. 21 Arizona State. Despite trailing 21-0 early, BYU showed resilience, narrowing the gap late.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been a bright spot with 2,580 yards and 20 touchdowns, complemented by LJ Martin’s 543 rushing yards and Chase Roberts’ 718 receiving yards. Defensively, BYU has snagged 18 interceptions while allowing just 20.3 points per game.
Houston’s offense, averaging only 13.6 points, faces a stiff test against BYU’s disciplined defense. At home, the Cougars have been formidable, covering the spread in four of their last five Saturday games. Expect BYU to snap their skid with a decisive victory, fueled by Retzlaff and their balanced attack.
Prediction: BYU 27, Houston 13
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