Things are gradually heating up in the 2025 season. We are stepping into week 3. One of the crucial games that the fans are eagerly waiting for is the face-off between Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes and Willie Fritz’s Houston Cougars. As per ESPN Matchup Predictor, Houston is projected as 4.5-point favorites and has a 57.9% chance to defeat Colorado. The Cougars are going full throttle with wins over SFA and Rice for their first 2-0 start since 2018. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes lost in their season opener against Georgia Tech, but recovered with a victory against Delaware. Now, who is going to tune up the fever of the game through their commentary? 

ESPN’s Anish Shroff and Andre Ware are coming to the box to report the face-off that will be taking place at TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas, on September 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET. What will these commentators bring to the table?

Shroff is a play-by-play commentator for various sports. He has been the voice behind multiple telecasts, including college football, college basketball, college baseball, and lacrosse. The Colorado vs Houston announcer is currently the play-by-play announcer for the Carolina Panthers NFL team. He has been assigned the role since March 2022. Before that, Shroff also worked the NFL preseason in the summer of 2021. Will Shroff have a favorite in the upcoming Colorado vs Houston face-off?

He has not shared a path with either of the universities as he is a Syracuse University alum, who graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, holding a degree in broadcast journalism. Now, what about Ware? The other voice behind the Colorado vs Houston game, Ware, is someone who himself has played the sport. The former Heisman Trophy winner and Davey O’Brien Award recipient is a regular contributor to College Football Live. Unlike Shroff, Ware might have his favorite between Colorado and Houston. 

Being a native of Texas, who played quarterback for the University of Houston, you know he will be rooting for the Cougars. Other than being part of ESPN, Ware is also an analyst for the Houston Texans radio. Bringing so much broadcasting experience to the table, their commentary will give fans a hair-raising experience. Now, where do the two programs stand?  

Willie Fritz and Deion Sanders set the tone

Time for some stat comparisons. Fritz’s Houston offense is averaging 31 points per game this season. That’s a big boost from last season, when they averaged 14 points per game. Cut to Colorado’s offense. Deion’s squad ranks second-to-last in the Big 12 Conference in offense. The Buffs come up with an average of just under 26 points per game. 

Houston’s defense scored extra marks. Till now in the 2025 season, they’ve only allowed nine points and one touchdown. With this, they have been given the No.2 rank in the Big 12. Meanwhile, Deion’s defense sits at No.10 and allowed 17 points per game. As the two programs prepare for a face-off for the first time after 54 years, what are the head coaches saying?

Before the big day, Houston head coach Fritz came with a plea for the fans to fill the stands. During the September 8 press conference, he said, “We’re going to make sure that we maximize to get our students in the venue, because that energy they bring is impactful to our student athletes…it’s a testament to the students. And I appreciate them more than ever to come on out. This is for them. They make that venue what it can be.”

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders also came with the same plea. But his reason was different. Texas, being the hub of high school football athlete gems, they can’t take the game easy. So, in order to woo the Texas recruits, the Colorado head coach shared, “But it’s going to be a good game and I can’t wait to get to Houston. It’s a tremendous recruiting ground for us, Texas, period. So, we love to go down there and play, and I pray that it’s a sellout.” Let’s see if the commentary booth captures the drama on the field.