Texas is coming in off a tough loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, in which they dropped the shootout 34-30, while the Houston Cougars last weekend picked up a win 41-39 over West Virginia thanks to a walk-off Hail Mary.
Texas Longhorns 5-1 (1-1 Big 12) vs. Houston Cougars 3-3 (1-2 Big 12)
Date: Saturday, October 21
Time: 4:00 p.m. EST
TV Channel: FOX
Location: TDECU Stadium, Houston TX
Line: Longhorns -23.5 / O/U: 61
2023 Season Stats
Texas:
2023 Record — 5-1 (1-1 in Big 12)
2023 Offense (Big 12 Rank) —
Total Yards: 2919 (5)
Passing Yards: 1804 (3)
Rushing Yards: 1115 (7)
2023 Defense (Big 12 Rank) —
Total Yards Allowed: 1,940 (1)
Passing Yards Allowed: 1266 (3)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 674 (3)
2023 Cumulative Points Scored: 210 (6)
2023 Cumulative Points Allowed: 98 (2)
2023 Ranking: 8
Houston:
2023 Record —3-3 (1-2 in Big 12)
2023 Offense (Big 12 Rank) —
Total Yards: 2463 (9)
Passing Yards: 1658 (5)
Rushing Yards: 805 (10)
2023 Defense (Big 12 Rank) —
Total Yards Allowed: 2575 (12)
Passing Yards Allowed: 1602 (11)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 973 (10)
2023 Cumulative Points Scored: 178 (8)
2023 Cumulative Points Allowed: 188 (13)
2023 Ranking: 82
Series History/All-Time Records
All-time head-to-head record: Texas Leads 16-7-2
Current streak: Texas has won seven straight
Last Texas win: 2022 (41-11)
Last Houston win: 1991 (23-14)
2023 Top Players
Texas Longhorns
Passing: Quinn Ewers- 128-184, 1704 yards, 11-3 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Jonathan Brooks – 108 ATT, 726 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving: Xavier Worthy – 34 REC, 453 YDS, 3 TD
Tackles: Jaylan Ford – 40 (19-21)
Sacks: Anthony Hill Jr. – 3.0
Interceptions: Jaylan Ford & Jerrin Thompson – 2
Houston Cougars
Passing: Donovan Smith – 145-219, 1,600 YDS, 13-3 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Parker Jenkins – 47 ATT, 242 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Samuel Brown – 37 REC, 549 YDS, 2 TD
Tackles: Malik Robinson – 44 (19-25)
Sacks: Nelson Ceasar – 4.5
Interceptions: Malik Flemming & Isaiah Hamilton – 3
Texas Longhorns Players To Watch:
Offense: Quarterback – Quinn Ewers – Sophomore
Ewers will look to try not to turn the ball over this week after throwing two interceptions. He is facing a Houston defense that ranks in the bottom of the Big 12 against the pass, so look for that Ewers and Worthy connection to have one of their best games this weekend.
Defense: Defensive Back – Jerrin Thompson – Junior
Jaylan Ford is a key cog on the defense, leading the Longhorns in tackles. Look for him to try to contain Donovan Smith and make plays that could lead to turnovers to get Texas the ball back. He will also try to contain Parker Jenkins for Houston, who averages 40.3 yards a game.
Bottom Line: Texas looks to get back in the win column
Texas had to sit with that loss to Oklahoma for a week as they had a Bye, but the schedule ahead should help them with the most challenging game remaining based on the record being Kansas State; they can’t overlook anyone in the Big 12 if they can handle their business and win out they will get a second shot to avenge that loss to Oklahoma, and that starts this week against Houston.
