Houston football is back on the calendar, and the opener comes with a little extra shine. In 13 days, the Cougars will host Oregon State at TDECU Stadium, and for just the second time this century, UH will begin a season ranked in the AP Poll.
The matchup puts Houston against a rebuilt Pac-12 program that is still trying to find its footing. Oregon State added five Mountain West teams to the league, but the Beavers are not being treated like a threat near the top of the conference. That’s no small drop from where the program has been, and the recent results tell the story: Oregon State has gone 7-17 over the past two seasons and is widely projected to finish near the bottom again.
First-year head coach JaMarcus Shephard, who came over from Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama staff, has already been blunt about what kind of season his team may be in for. “I'm letting you know, just so you know, guys, there's gonna be some adversity this year.
I'm letting you know. Now I need you guys to help us get through that adversity.
We gotta do it together,” Shephard told Oregon State Reporters in early August.
That kind of warning only adds to the expectation that Houston should have the edge. Most sportsbooks have the Cougars favored by three touchdowns, and the talent gap looks especially sharp up front. Oregon State has dealt with a major roster exodus, and the Beavers’ line play is expected to take a real hit after losing Power 4 status and the resources that came with it.
That said, Houston still has to go out and handle business. Conner Weigman is entering year five with a lot on his plate, and the early signs point to a big season if the team around him holds up. His first year in Houston went well, and the Cougars are hoping year two brings even more.
The pieces around him are plenty intriguing. Houston’s receiving group is loaded, with Beavers transfer Trent Walker joining a unit that also includes potential 1,000-yard receiver Amare Thomas.
Oregon transfer Makhi Hughes gives the offense another important layer. Oregon State’s secondary looks like the soft spot, which sets up a chance for Houston’s pass catchers to make noise early and often.
If the Cougars run into resistance on offense, it figures to come from the Beavers’ linebackers.
On the other side of the ball, Houston’s biggest concern is Oregon State quarterback Maalik Murphy. He had a rough year with the Beavers last season, but the talent is still there. Vanderbilt transfer AJ Newberry also brings potential as a runner and gives the Oregon State offense another wrinkle to monitor.
Week 1 offers Houston a real chance to make a statement. Willie Fritz’s program has Big 12 title dreams, and with more resources behind it, the Cougars are positioned to aim higher on a national stage.
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