Houston Cougars is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +7.2. Houston Cougars enters the season with a power rating of +7.2, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Houston Cougars host Oregon State next in Week 1. In 2025, Houston Cougars went 9-3 overall, 8-4 against the spread, and 7-5 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the Houston Cougars Power Rating of +7.2 is 7.0 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Houston Cougars have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 10,328 miles, ranking 26th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Oregon State | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Southern | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 3 | Texas Tech | 468 mi | 935 mi |
| Week 4 | Georgia Southern | 825 mi | 2,585 mi |
| Week 5 | UCF | Home | 2,585 mi |
| Week 6 | Kansas State | 657 mi | 3,900 mi |
| Week 7 | Oklahoma State | Home | 3,900 mi |
| Week 8 | Utah | 1,200 mi | 6,301 mi |
| Week 9 | — | Bye | |
| Week 10 | Cincinnati | Home | 6,301 mi |
| Week 11 | Colorado | 904 mi | 8,110 mi |
| Week 12 | West Virginia | 1,109 mi | 10,328 mi |
| Week 13 | Baylor | Home | 10,328 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
Houston enters the season with a veteran leader in Conner Weigman, who threw for 2,705 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 700 rushing yards and 11 scores last year. He returns with the same offensive coordinator for the first time in his career, and the offense is built around his dual-threat ability. The Cougars also added running back Makhi Hughes, who rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in two seasons at Tulane, and tight end Patrick Overmyer, an NFL-caliber transfer from UTSA. The offensive line was retooled with three portal starters, giving Weigman a strong foundation.
The defense lost its leading tackler and sacks leader from last season, but the secondary returns All-Big 12 cornerback Will James, safeties Kentrell Webb and Jordan Allen, and adds FCS All-American Jalen Mayo (four interceptions) and nickel Javion White. The edge rush returns Brandon Mack II (five sacks) and Latreveon McCutchin, while the interior adds Oklahoma State transfer De'Marion Thomas. Linebacker Sione Fotu is back with 12 starts, and the unit has speed and experience in the back end.
Houston will have a new placekicker this season, with Zac Yoakam as the only candidate with college experience. The Cougars also brought in the No. 1 kicking prospect in the 2025 class, Evan Noel, and Jonathan Dimas. Punter Liam Dougherty returns after a career-best 44.1-yard average, but the kicking game remains a question mark until someone emerges.
The Cougars have a deep receiving corps led by All-Big 12 wideout Amare Thomas, who had 12 touchdown catches last season. The running game gets a boost from Hughes, and Weigman's ability to run the ball adds another dimension. The offensive line is more experienced with three portal additions, and the scheme under coordinator Slade Nagle should allow Houston to be explosive both through the air and on the ground.
Head coach Willie Fritz led Houston to 10 wins in his second season, and expectations are even higher this year. The Cougars have a favorable schedule with key home games and a veteran quarterback who can carry the team. If the rebuilt defense gels and the kicking game stabilizes, Houston has the talent to compete for the Big 12 Championship Game.
Houston Cougars is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
Houston Cougars holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +7.2, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Houston Cougars's home field advantage rating is 1.5 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Houston Cougars travels 10,328 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 26th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Houston Cougars: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +7.2.
