Houston walks into Saturday’s Big 12 matchup with Cincinnati carrying more than just a loss. The No.
17 Cougars are trying to shake off a frustrating 21-13 defeat to undefeated Utah, a game in which they led 10-0 before the offense hit a wall in the fourth quarter. It was a painful miss, especially with a massive statement opportunity sitting right there, and it marked the second time Houston has blown a 10-0 lead on the road against a ranked opponent.
The good news for Houston is that the bye week came at the right time. With a 10-2 finish, the Cougars would likely put themselves in position to reach the College Football Playoff, and their new No. 17 ranking in the CFP standings says they still have a path to get there. Now the question is how this team responds after a loss that stung.
Cincinnati is the kind of opponent that makes that response tricky. Two weeks ago, the Bearcats looked like a wrecking crew in a 37-24 win over undefeated Texas Tech, using defense, the run game, and explosive plays to take control. Then came the other side of Cincinnati: the version that lost 34-7 to Arizona and the one that got blown out by Utah.
That inconsistency is the real issue heading into Saturday. Last week, Utah rolled past the Bearcats 49-25, and Houston has to be ready for either version of Cincinnati to show up. The Cougars can’t afford to assume they’re getting the weaker one.
Houston’s offense also has some repair work to do. Against Utah, the Cougars missed tight end Patrick Overmyer, who was injured, and the unit never found its rhythm.
The run game stalled, and the passing attack wasn’t the same without him. Quarterback Conner Weigman is getting Overmyer back, though, and Houston still has Trent Walker, Amare Thomas, and Koby Young at receiver, along with a strong running back room.
That group needs to look like itself again.
Utah’s defense exposed the cracks, and now Houston has to show that game was an outlier rather than a preview. Willie Fritz and the offense need a cleaner showing this week, because another night like that against Cincinnati would be a problem.
There’s also reason to keep an eye on the other side of the ball. Not long ago, Houston’s secondary was tough to watch - disorganized, shaky in space, and too easy to attack.
It looked much better against Kansas State, even if Drew Mestemaker did Mestemaker things against it. Houston still needed more from the defense in the second half, but the unit was at least more competitive than it had been earlier in the season.
That’s all Houston really needs right now: a solid performance, not perfection. The offense should be capable of doing enough against Cincinnati, but if the Cougars are going to keep climbing toward the CFP picture, the defense has to keep showing signs of life too. A good defense changes the ceiling for this team.
Saturday should answer a lot of these questions. At minimum, Houston needs to get back in the win column against Cincinnati.
In Other News...
Kelvin Sampson Already Sees One Big Test For This Houston Team
The No. 10 Cougars opened the season with a 94-55 win over La Salle at Fertitta Center, and Kelvin Sampson had plenty to like afterward, especially the way Houston defended and controlled the glass. The opener also offered an early look at some of the adjustments this group is making, including senior forward Joseph Tuglers move into a different spot in the frontcourt as the staff continues to sort out roles.
What stood out most was how Houston wanted to play offensively, with a clear emphasis on getting downhill and creating easier looks around the rim while also earning trips to the line. Sampson has already pointed to one major test ahead for this team, and it will be a useful measuring stick for a roster that looked sharp in its first outing but is still working through the details that matter once the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Gets A Chance To Answer Its Utah Loss At Home
Cincinnatis trip to No. 17 Houston gives the Cougars a quick chance to move past their loss to No. 3 Utah and get back on track at home in a Big 12 matchup that should tell a lot about where both teams stand. Houston has been one of the leagues more efficient offenses, especially on third down, and its run defense has been a strength, while Cincinnati arrives with a rushing attack that can stress opponents if it gets rolling.
The Bearcats also bring plenty of urgency after their own setback against Utah, and both coaching staffs have stressed the same message this week: learn from what happened, then turn the page. For Houston, the focus is on protecting its home field and proving the Utah result was a detour, not a trend, while Cincinnati is trying to show it can travel and compete against a ranked opponent without letting defensive issues decide the night. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Stunned No 5 Georgia In A Program Defining Moment
Homecoming in 1967 became a turning point for Houston when the Cougars welcomed No. 5 Georgia into the Astrodome and played in front of the largest crowd the building had seen to that point. Houston dug itself out of a 14-0 hole and leaned on Paul Gipson, who powered the offense in a way that gave the game its edge and kept the home crowd believing the upset was still there to be had.
The finish only added to the sense that this was more than just another win, because Houston had already shown it could knock off elite opposition and this one carried the kind of weight that changes how a program is viewed. The victory sent the Cougars back into the AP Poll at No. 10 and gave that afternoon a place in school history, even before the final margin was settled in the most dramatic way possible. [Read more 🡒]