Summer Schedule Preview: Oklahoma State Hosts Houston for First Time as a Big 12 Foe

The Cowboys will hit the halfway point of their season with a visit from Houston, which hasn’t played in Stillwater in 16 years. Let’s continue our dog days look at the Cowboys’ fall slate with that matchup with the Cougars.

Be sure to check out our previous previews: Noncon | Baylor | Arizona

Week 7: Houston | Oct. 11 | Stillwater, Okla.

Series history: 10-10

Last meeting: OSU 43, UH 30 (2023)

In a game that reads like ancient history, the Cowboys went on the road and hung 43 points on the Cougars in the two teams’ first meeting as Big 12 rivals. Brennan Presley grabbed 15 catches for 189 yards and Ollie Gordon rolled for 164 yards and three TDs. That was in 2023. With the Big 12 title game a firm possibility, the Pokes had to come back to win this game in Houston, as OSU trailed 23-19 at halftime before outscoring the Cougars 24-7 in the second half.

Houston in 2024: The Cougars are coming off consecutive 4-8 seasons, so the switch from Dana Holgorsen to Willie Fritz didn’t have an immediate impact in the win column.

Houston ranked dead last in the conference in scoring offense, managing just 14 points per game last season. The Cougars were also the worst Big 12 team in passing offense, total offense, third-down percentage, red-zone percentage. And the Coogs committed 27 turnovers, good for fourth-worst in the FBS. Only Kent State scored fewer points per game last season.

Houston’s Offense in 2025: Houston brought in former Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman. He’ll have former OSU receiver Stephon Johnson (UH’s leading receiver last year) and as well as solid additions in UAB transfer Amare Thomas and Harvey Broussard III from Louisiana to throw to.

Of UH’s 30 newcomers (21 via portal, nine freshmen), half are on the offensive side of the ball.

Houston’s Defense in 2025: The Cougars didn’t have as far to improve on defense. Houston ranked fourth in the Big 12 allowing teams to score just 22.9 points per game last year. The Cougars ranked second in the league in total defense, allowing fewer than 325 yards per game and only 136 yards per game on the ground.

The biggest issues will be creating more a pass rush and replacing the production of cornerback Jeremiah Wilson (four interceptions including one for a TD) who transferred to Florida State.

Of note: This will be Houston’s first trip to Stillwater since 2009 when the Cougars upset the No. 5 Cowboys 45-35 in what was their first Top 5 road win since 1984. That was just one week after the Cowboys’ win over a Top 15 Georgia team in their season opener.