Utah at Houston football: How to watch, TV channel, predictions
Willie Fritz and the Houston Cougars (2-5, 1-3) are hoping to get back on track Saturday when they host the Utah Utes in a Big 12 football game.
The Cougars offensive struggles have been well documented. They now have the worst scoring offense in Division I-A college football at just 13.7 points per game. Florida State and Kennesaw State are tied for second-worst at 15.0 ppg.
"I think everybody's frustrated a little bit," Fritz said in his weekly press conference when asked about Houston's offensive struggles. "You've gotta put that on the back burner and be as positive as you possibly can, and work hard. We've all got a part in this. I've got a big part in it. The coaches and the players and everyone involved in the program. There's a lot of things we can get better at."
Houston faces a Utah team that has been equally inept on offense as of late. The Utes come into the game on a three-game losing streak, averaging just 12.0 points in those losses. It has been so bad in Salt Lake City that Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig stepped down on Sunday and was replaced by Mike Bajakian.
"We're playing really good on defense," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It's not like we have a team-wide problem going on right now. We just need to get some things generated offensively. ... Ever since Cam [Rising] slid into that Gatorade cart it's been a struggle."
True freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of Denver Broncos backup quarterback Zach Wilson, will be the starting quarterback for Utah on Saturday. He has completed just 54.8 percent of his passes, with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Houston will likely turn to Zeon Chriss at quarterback. Chriss had to leave the Cougars' 42-14 loss to Kansas after just two series because of a hamstring injury. Fritz said he's healthy this week, so expect him back behind center.
Utah at Houston TV Channel, Live Stream, Betting Odds
Who: Utah (4-3, 1-3) at Houston (2-5, 1-3) in a Big 12 football game
When: 4 p.m. MST/7 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 26
Where: TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Live Stream: Stream Utah-Houston live on fuboTV (Start your free trial)
TV Channel: ESPN+
Our Prediction: Utah 24, Houston 17
Betting Odds: Utah is favored by 4.5 points per FanDuel Sportsbook
Live Updates, Highlights: Follow the game on Houston Cougars On SI for live updates and big-play highlights throughout Saturday's matchup
More Houston & Big 12 Analysis
Ben Sherman has been covering the sports world for most of his journalism career, including 17 years with The Oregonian/OregonLive. One of his favorite memories was covering the 1999 Fiesta Bowl - the first BCS National Championship Game - at Sun Devil Stadium.