The Colorado Buffaloes face a tall task if they want to keep their bowl game hopes alive in Week 11. The Buffs take on the No. 17 Houston Cougars on Friday in a situation where they must win the rest of their games this season to clinch a bowl berth.

The Buffaloes are heavy underdogs to win this week’s game, with ESPN analytics giving them just a 17 percent chance to win. However, there are some things playing in their favor that they could take advantage of to boost those odds.

Late-night kickoff in a home environment

Oct 17, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes mascot Chip performs in the second quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Buffaloes’ record under coach Deion Sanders in late-night kickoffs hasn’t been all-too-impressive since Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter left town, but they have a knack for staying in those games.

Colorado has given teams like the then-No. 25 BYU Cougars, then-No.…