Houston keeps climbing in the preseason conversation.
The Cougars landed at No. 22 in ESPN analyst Mark Schlabach’s preseason power rankings, moving up from No. 24 in the Coaches Poll and No. 23 in the AP Top 25 Preseason Poll. Schlabach also went a step further, pointing Houston toward a possible run at the Big 12 Championship by December.
The case starts with what Houston brings back. Schlabach highlighted 12 returning starters, including quarterback Conner Weigman and receiver Amare Thomas, and he viewed that mix of continuity and new firepower as enough to make the Cougars a real threat in the league race.
"With 12 starters coming back, including quarterback Conner Weigman and receiver Amare Thomas, the Cougars might be a sleeper candidate to challenge for the Big 12 title," Schlabach wrote. "Willie Fritz guided the Cougars to a 10-3 record in 2025, which isn't all that surprising considering the rebuilding job he did at Tulane.
One of Houston's biggest offseason priorities was finding a replacement for leading rusher Dean Connors, and Fritz brought in former Tulane star Makhi Hughes. Hughes ran for 2,779 yards with 22 touchdowns in two seasons with the Green Wave, but he couldn't get playing time after transferring to Oregon in 2025."
Houston’s offensive buzz is obvious, but the defense deserves a look too. The Cougars return 58% of their production from last season and finished in the top half of the Big 12 in most defensive categories, though they never ranked higher than fourth in any of them.
Austin Armstrong’s unit should have help on the back end, with safety Kentrell Webb and Javion White giving the secondary some flexibility across different alignments. Jaden Yates brings intrigue as an off-ball WILL linebacker, but the real issue remains up front, where Houston still needs more punch in the pass rush.
That means the trenches are the area to watch. The Cougars need to develop a true edge threat, and JACK LB Brandon Mack, who is entering his eighth year in the sport, has the frame to be the answer.
Armstrong has built a reputation as a rising defensive mind, and Houston’s hope is that his group can hold up well enough to match Slade Nagle’s offense. If that happens, the Big 12 could be there for the taking as Fritz’s team keeps pace with programs like Texas Tech and BYU.
In Other News...
Houston Has A Few Final Camp Battles Fans Should Watch Closely
Houston is wrapping up fall camp with the kind of late-August competition that usually tells you as much about a roster as any early-season box score. With Oregon State waiting in the opener, the Cougars still have a few spots that appear up for grabs, and the final stretch of practice will help sort out which players are ready to turn promise into meaningful snaps when the games start counting.
Among the names worth watching are wide receivers Trent Walker, Koby Young and Broussard III, along with cornerback Mayo and running back Butler, all of whom have a chance to make a real push in camp. The bigger takeaway is the depth Houston seems to have assembled, but the last few practices should show whether those pieces are ready to lock into larger roles as the Cougars build toward the 2026 season. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Enters Final Camp Week With One Crucial Battle Still Open
Houston football is heading into the final week of fall camp with most of the heavy lifting already done. With 12 returning starters back and a wave of transfers in place, Willie Fritz has a clearer picture of his lineup than he did a few weeks ago, and the current starter alignments suggest a roster that is starting to take shape as the regular season approaches.
Still, a few spots remain worth watching as camp winds down. The kicker battle between Jonathan Dimas and Evan Noel is unresolved, wide receiver depth is being sorted out with several players in the mix for the No. 4 role, and the second-team offensive line is still developing behind a group of freshmen and sophomores. Those are the kinds of decisions that can matter later, even if most of the roster is already settled. [Read more 🡒]
Conner Weigman Is Giving Houston Fans A Real Reason To Believe
Conner Weigmans summer keeps building momentum, and Houston has reason to feel better about where its offense is headed. The Cougars quarterback has already landed on the Preseason Maxwell Award and Johnny Unitas Award watch lists, and now hes been added to another national list as the recognition around him continues to pile up.
It is a sign of how much attention Weigman is drawing before Houston even takes the field. Among returning Big 12 quarterbacks, he is right near the top in passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and passing yards, and he also stands out for his accuracy. For a team trying to set the tone early, that kind of profile gives the Sept. 5 opener against Oregon State a little more intrigue. [Read more 🡒]