Houston’s case in the Big 12 starts with something simple, and maybe a little easy to miss: stability.
The Cougars have put themselves in position to make noise in 2026, and the buzz around them isn’t just about talent. Houston is coming off a huge leap from four wins to 10, finished the year ranked, and capped it with a Texas Bowl victory.
That kind of turnaround changes the conversation fast. Now the expectation is another step forward, with Houston eyeing a real push toward the Big 12 championship picture.
The league still has its headliners. Texas Tech and BYU are viewed as the top two favorites after meeting in last season’s title game, and Utah is also expected to contend.
Houston belongs in that group too after finishing fourth last season with a 6-3 record. But what separates the Cougars from a lot of the pack is how complete they look.
That balance shows up everywhere. Houston has the kind of depth and return production that can steady a team over a long season, especially in a conference where so many contenders are dealing with uncertainty. The Cougars bring back a large number of key starters on both sides of the ball, and that continuity matters.
It starts with the offense. Senior quarterback Connor Weigman is back for his second season with offensive coordinator Slade Nagle, and that pairing gives Houston a level of continuity that can pay off in a big way.
Weigman also has plenty of help around him. Senior wideout Amare Thomas stands out as one of the best receivers in the conference, while Koby Young adds young talent and Trent Walker gives the group another transfer option.
Houston also has multiple returning starters on the offensive line and a strong running back room, giving the offense more ways to stay on schedule and keep rolling.
The defense brings back important pieces too. Junior cornerback Will James and senior defensive back Kentrell Webb give the secondary experience, and Brandon Mack remains a key pass-rushing presence.
That kind of steadiness stands out when compared with some of the other Big 12 contenders. BYU is still working with a young offense and some questions at wide receiver.
Utah is navigating a coaching change and a rebuild along the offensive line. Texas Tech had to deal with the Brendan Sorsby situation and will not have him at quarterback.
Houston, by contrast, is in a much cleaner spot. The Cougars have balance, depth, and a roster with plenty of familiar faces. In a conference full of moving parts, that gives Houston a major edge that isn’t getting talked about enough.
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Big 12 Tension With Texas Tech Just Put Houston Fans On Notice
Big 12 media days in Frisco gave Brett Yormark another chance to talk about where the league is headed, and he used it to touch on everything from playoff expansion to sports gambling while also unveiling a new partnership with Monster Energy. For Houston fans, the backdrop matters because the conference office is still trying to project stability even as its most combustible member-school disputes keep spilling into public view.
Texas Tech was again at the center of that tension, with Yormark fielding pointed questions about the leagues treatment of the Red Raiders and the lingering friction around fines, scheduling and other flashpoints. The broader fight has also pulled in booster Cody Campbell, who has sparred with Yormark before over a Friday night game against Houston and over the leagues move to ban the tortilla-throwing tradition, leaving one more reminder that the Big 12s internal politics are far from settled. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Is Sending A Big 12 Message Fans Can't Ignore
Houstons climb under Willie Fritz has already changed the tone around the program, and the 2025 finish only sharpened it. After going from 4-8 to 10-3 and knocking off LSU in its bowl game, the Cougars arrived at Big 12 media days with a different kind of confidence, one rooted less in surprise and more in expectation. The schedule ahead is viewed as manageable enough to keep the conversation pointed toward bigger things, and Houston has every reason to believe it belongs in that mix.
Kentrell Webb, one of the leaders in the secondary, made it clear the standard inside the building has shifted with the results. The message is not about settling for another nice season or waiting for respect to arrive later. It is about the Big 12 title, and the Cougars know the path will likely be shaped by the leagues biggest checkpoints, with Texas Tech and Utah looming as the games that could define how far this push really goes. [Read more 🡒]
Willie Fritz Finally Clarified Houstons Quarterback Tension
Houstons quarterback picture has been one of the more interesting subplots around the program, especially with senior Conner Weigman in the room and freshman Keisean Henderson arriving with the kind of pedigree that naturally invites attention. Willie Fritz helped clear up at least part of the discussion by confirming the Cougars are moving forward with a veteran at the top of the depth chart, while also making it clear Henderson is not just a name to stash away for the future.
The more intriguing part is how Houston plans to use Henderson as he settles in. Fritz said the freshman could still have a role in specific packages or situations, which gives the Cougars a chance to tap into his athleticism without asking him to carry the full load right away. For a team trying to balance present stability with long-term upside, that kind of arrangement could matter just as much as the headline answer at quarterback. [Read more 🡒]