The 2025 college football season is right around the corner, and down in Houston, anticipation is building for what could be a defining year for the Cougars. After a rocky transition into the Big 12, Houston is entering the season with renewed energy.
If that’s not enough, then more promising talents are there. And with that comes a schedule that blends rivalries, revenge games, and national attention. With a balance of tough road games and big-time home matchups, Houston has both the stage and the challenge laid out.
2025 Houston Cougars Football Schedule
Let’s dive into the full schedule—12 games that could determine not just bowl eligibility, but whether Houston begins to climb the Big 12 ladder for real in their third season in the conference.
- Thu., Aug. 28: vs. Stephen F. Austin (Home)
- Sat., Sep. 6: at Rice (Away)
- Fri., Sep. 12: vs. Colorado (Home)
- Fri., Sep. 26: at Oregon State (Away)
- Sat., Oct. 4: vs. Texas Tech (Home)
- Sat., Oct. 11: at Oklahoma State (Away)
- Sat., Oct. 18: vs. Arizona (Home)
- Sat., Oct. 25: at Arizona State (Away)
- Sat., Nov. 1: vs. West Virginia (Home)
- Fri., Nov. 7: at UCF (Away)
- Sat., Nov. 22: vs. TCU (Home)
- Sat., Nov. 29: at Baylor (Away)
Breaking Down the Slate: What to Expect in 2025
The Cougars kick off the season at home against Stephen F. Austin, a welcome tune-up opportunity that should help new starters settle in. But things ramp up quickly with a trip across town to battle Rice in the Bayou Bucket — a rivalry that means more than just bragging rights. Houston dominated the Owls last time, but Rice has steadily improved and will be looking for revenge in front of their home crowd.
Then, Houston welcomes one of the most-watched teams in college football to TDECU Stadium: Colorado. Coach Prime and his Buffaloes are a media circus, but they’re also bringing firepower. If the Cougars can pull off a home upset in front of a national audience on Sept. 12, it could be a season-defining moment.
The rest of the schedule? A gauntlet. Houston travels to Oregon State — a rising program in the newly formed Pac-2 — before diving into the heart of Big 12 play. Matchups against Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Arizona will test the Cougars’ grit and depth. The back half of the schedule features road games against Arizona State, UCF, and Baylor, and home tilts against West Virginia and TCU.
No stretch will be more pivotal than Oct. 4 through Nov. 7. That’s five weeks with four conference games, two ranked opponents, and three road trips. It will either sink Houston’s season or catapult them into postseason contention.
Can the Cougars Put Up a Fight?
If there’s ever been a prove-it year for the Houston Cougars, this is it. The days of dominating the AAC are behind them, and Big 12 competition has exposed the gaps in depth, line play, and physicality over the past two years. But with new leadership and a stronger foundation of transfers and high school recruits, there’s cautious optimism in H-Town.
Quarterback Donovan Smith returns after an up-and-down 2024 season, where he showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. Smith passed for over 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, and if he can cut down on turnovers, he could be one of the more productive QBs in the conference.
The defense also gets a facelift, with head coach Willie Fritz bringing over several players and staff from Tulane’s aggressive unit. Linebacker Jamal Morris and safety A.J. Haulcy will anchor a group that has to get better on third downs and in the red zone — two Achilles heels in 2024.
There’s talent. There’s experience. But the biggest question is: can Houston finish games?
Last year, the Cougars lost three games by less than a touchdown. Those close calls have to turn into wins if they want to play in December.
KEEP READING: USF 2025 Football Schedule: Bullish on the Bulls?
The 2025 season is a fresh start for Houston — new coaching, new energy, and a schedule filled with opportunities to prove they belong. The Cougars have to bring their best to survive the grind of Big 12 play, but there are enough winnable games for a bowl run to be realistic.
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