Under the crisp mountain air at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the BYU Cougars welcome the Houston Cougars for a critical Week 14 Big 12 showdown. BYU comes off a hard-fought 28-23 loss to Arizona State, while Houston enters after a 20-10 defeat against Baylor.
For BYU, the stakes couldn’t be more significant. They’re still in the mix as one of nine Big 12 teams vying for a championship berth, but their path requires some outside help. A win, combined with two losses among Arizona State, Iowa State, or Colorado, would send BYU to the title game. In our Houston vs. BYU prediction, we discuss whether the Cougars can take care of their end of the bargain.
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 -12 - Moneyline
BYU -470, Houston +360 - Over/Under
40.5 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 couldn’t be clearer: BYU is out for redemption in a crucial Big 12 clash against Houston. The Cougars from Texas arrive in disarray, with quarterback Zeon Chriss enduring a rough season—just 668 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions to his name.
On the ground, Re’Shaun Sanford II leads Houston with 413 rushing yards, while Stephon Johnson has contributed 348 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The defense has shown flashes with 19 sacks and 12 interceptions, but the offense has been a glaring weakness all season.
Adding to the chaos, the recent firing of offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay leaves quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell stepping in as the interim OC, creating even more uncertainty.
BYU, once riding high at 9-0, now sits at 9-2 after two straight losses, including a tough 28-23 defeat to No. 21 Arizona State. Despite falling behind 21-0 early, BYU clawed back, showing their trademark resilience late in the game.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff continues to shine, amassing 2,580 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season. He’s supported by LJ Martin’s 543 rushing yards and Chase Roberts’ 718 receiving yards. Defensively, BYU has been stout, grabbing 18 interceptions and holding opponents to just 20.3 points per game.
Houston’s sputtering offense, averaging a mere 13.6 points per game, faces a tall order against BYU’s disciplined defense. Meanwhile, BYU has been dominant at home, covering the spread in four of their last five Saturday games.
Expect the home Cougars to break their losing streak with a statement win, powered by Retzlaff and a balanced attack that should overwhelm Houston.
Prediction: BYU 27, Houston 13
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