West Virginia at Houston - 2025 Matchup Preview
West Virginia logo West Virginia Mountaineers at Houston CougarsHouston logo
Saturday, November 1st 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
O'Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium - Houston, TX  (Big 12)

 
Mountaineers (2 - 1) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Rich Rodriguez (60 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 15 (10 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.2 - 6.8 (#98)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 0)
HOU is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Houston -0.5   (SP+ HOU -2)

Projected Score: WVU: 19 - HOU: 20 (39)
HOU Win prob: 53% | Cover: 53%
WVU Travel: 1109 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Cougars (3 - 0) (3 - 0 - 0)
Coach Willie Fritz (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 33 - 10 (32 - 10 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.6 - 5.4 (#69)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
 
West Virginia's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 West Virginia vs Robert Morris-40.056.5W 45 - 3UY
Sat 9/6 West Virginia at Ohio-3.558.5L 10 - 17UN
Sat 9/13 West Virginia vs Pittsburgh+6.554.5W 31 - 24OY
Sat 9/20 West Virginia at Kansas+13.554.5
Sat 9/27 West Virginia vs Utah+11
Fri 10/3 West Virginia at BYU+8.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 West Virginia at UCF+2
Sat 10/25 West Virginia vs TCU+8.5
Sat 11/1 West Virginia at Houston+0.5
Sat 11/8 West Virginia vs Colorado-6
Sat 11/15 West Virginia at Arizona State+10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/29 West Virginia vs Texas Tech+14

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for West Virginia's Schedule
Houston's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Houston vs Stephen F. Austin-24.554.5W 27 - 0UY
Sat 9/6 Houston at Rice-13.538.5W 35 - 9OY
Fri 9/12 Houston vs Colorado-4.045.5W 36 - 20OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Houston at Oregon State-5.5
Sat 10/4 Houston vs Texas Tech+16
Sat 10/11 Houston at Oklahoma State-8
Sat 10/18 Houston vs Arizona+1.5
Sat 10/25 Houston at Arizona State+12.5
Sat 11/1 Houston vs West Virginia-0.5
Sat 11/8 Houston at UCF+4
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Houston vs TCU+10.5
Sat 11/29 Houston at Baylor+9.5

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Houston's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WVU#82 (.16)42% (85)28.744% (78)2.84 (84)21339% (96)2234.33 (51)#17 (-.04)32% (19)14.734% (30)32% (28)2.53 (36)71.32.32
HOU#95 (.13)36% (120)32.734% (120)2.69 (98)20239% (98)1873.67 (86)#18 (-.04)29% (8)9.736% (47)23% (4)5.17 (125)4102
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WVU#63 (.2)43% (69)44% (75)3.05 (64)19641% (73)2104.6 (16)#124 (.3)45% (103)41% (46)49% (128)4.74 (131)33.91.51.1
HOU#133 (-)35% (129)35% (130)2.52 (129)13737% (115)1532.57 (134)#51 (.14)40% (41)40% (41)39% (49)3.52 (41)51.92.31.6



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WVU Offense328.71041.7%4.332.3224362132234.656%44%44%39%15%.16
HOU Defense39.71029.1%5.172 - - - - - 51%47%36%23%18%-.04
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WVU Defense314.71732.5%2.532 - - - - - 51%48%34%32%20%-.04
HOU Offense332.731.535.9%3.670183902021874.561%39%34%39%11%.13

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
West Virginia325:0322.329%50%7.771.32.327.34.3029.4
Houston332:5617.745%40%4.741025.32.7136.5
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WVU Offense356% (33)44% (78)46.32134.69 (17).12 (77)2.84 (84)71% (67)11% (105)0.96 (66)
HOU Defense351% (80)36% (47) - - - - -.04 (38)2.28 (26)78% (100)10% (69)0.87 (52)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WVU Defense351% (85)34% (30) - - - - -.1 (22)2.32 (30)71% (72)13% (30)0.9 (60)
HOU Offense361% (17)34% (120)45.3202.34.56 (49)-.03 (116)2.69 (98)65% (95)7% (32)1.07 (47)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WVU Offense344% (97)39% (96)18.327.7223.38.112.22 (102)3 (92).21 (88)1.4 (110)30% (61)25% (106).19 (101)4% (45)1.7 (104)
HOU Defense347% (40)23% (4) - - - - - - 5 (6).01 (22)1.4 (49)39% (13)14% (11).05 (26)8% (30)2.2 (101)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WVU Defense348% (53)32% (28) - - - - - - 4 (12).03 (24)1.5 (64)35% (53)27% (56).15 (42)7% (45)1.6 (31)
HOU Offense339% (122)39% (98)15.324.3187.37.712.24 (72)0 (1).38 (51)2.1 (4)36% (117)34% (52).46 (49)4% (39)2.2 (36)

West Virginia's Power Ratings
West Virginia's Power Rating: 9.16 #56
West Virginia's Offense Rating: 11.55 #75
West Virginia's Defense Rating: 2.39 #39
2025 Talent Rating: 808.00 #50
Blue Chip Ratio: 4% #56
West Virginia's 2025 Expected Record: 5.2 - 6.8
West Virginia's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.6 #55
West Virginia's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.8 #51
West Virginia's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.4 #51

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 798.25
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: 9.16   Houston: 7.955

SP+ Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: 5.6   Houston: 7.8




Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: 7.955 #72
Houston's Offense Rating: 5.45 #100
Houston's Defense Rating: 2.34 #38
2025 Talent Rating: 786.00 #58
Blue Chip Ratio: 7 #46
Houston's 2025 Expected Record: 6.6 - 5.4
Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 7.8 #49
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.0 #75
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.1 #24

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 798.25
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


West Virginia Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 10
Defense: 14.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 17

West Virginia's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Houston 20
West Virginia 19


Total Points: 39

Houston Scoring
Offense: 32.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.5
Defense: 9.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 10

Houston's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 3 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202310/12Houston41West Virginia39HoustonWest Virginia -3.0Houston49.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Houston111 Overs
West Virginia000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0

(#56) West Virginia Info
Power Rating: 9.16 #56
Offense Rating: 11.55 #75
Defense Rating: 2.39 #39
Overall SP+ Rating: 5.6 #55
Offense SP+ Rating: 29.8 #51
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.4 #51
Talent Rating: 808.00 #50
Blue Chip Ratio: 4% #56
Expected Record: 5.2 - 6.8

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 4.33 PPO
Bad Run Success 44%
Poor Pass Success 39%
Bad OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 32%
Good in Scoring Position 2.53 PPO
Good Run Def Success 34%
Good Pass Def Success 32%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

West Virginia has lost 5 straight
West Virginia has lost 4 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 1 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

West Virginia Notes
(9/8) Star RB Jahiem White out for season (knee)
(9/8) Starting WR J Bray out for season (leg)
(8/30) Ran for nearly 400< Marchiol efficient vs RMU
(8/20) DE/LB Robinson likely academically ineligible
(6/11) RB White a top B12 RB, Edwards (FCS) 1k LY
(5/29) OL has bottom 20 exp & 94% is from 10 portals
(5/29) Def bad LY, added 5 DL, 4 LB & 13 portal DBs
(5/29) Over 1/2 roster new. 54 portal adds + new staff
(5/15) OT's are a huge ? IOL exp'd but not good.
(5/8) LB J Robinson was AAC Def POY in 2024 (UTSA)

West Virginia Highlights
West Virginia has Really Good Running Game (#26)
West Virginia Defense Sacks the QB a lot

West Virginia has a really good defense (#19)
West Virginia has a good run defense (#30)
West Virginia has a good pass defense (#28)
West Virginia Defensive Line is very good (#30)
West Virginia Front 7 is disruptive (#30)
West Virginia defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#12)

West Virginia Deficiencies
West Virginia has a bad TO Margin (#125)
West Virginia Fumbles a Lot (#128)
West Virginia Commits a Lot of Penalties (#109)
West Virginia offense is not Explosive (#107)
West Virginia Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#102)
West Virginia offense is bad on 3rd Downs

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatHOUWVU
OverallOver#29#62
OffenseOff#72#92
DefenseDef#8#29
Special TeamsST#8#40
PassingPass#92#89
RushingRush#62#75
Run BlockRBLK#27#105
Pass BlockPBLK#116#66
Route RunningWR Rt#52#67
TacklingTkl#4#77
Run DefenseR Def#16#12
Pass Rush DefPRush#84#78
Coverage DefCov#2#45

Previous Matchups
Houston beat West Virginia in 2023 (41-39)

Weather Forecast
Playing in O'Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: WVU | HOU
Depth Chart: WVU | HOU
Rosters: WVU | HOU
(#72) Houston Info
Power Rating: 7.955 #72
Offense Rating: 5.45 #100
Defense Rating: 2.34 #38
Overall SP+ Rating: 7.8 #49
Offense SP+ Rating: 27.0 #75
Defense SP+ Rating: 19.1 #24
Talent Rating: 786.00 #58
Blue Chip Ratio: 7 #46
Expected Record: 6.6 - 5.4

Team Profile
Very Run heavy Offense 61%, Pass: 39%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 36%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.67 PPO
Awful Run Success 34%
Poor Pass Success 39%
Poor OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 29%
Awful in Scoring Position 5.17 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 36%
Great Pass Def Success 23%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Houston has lost 5 straight
Houston has lost 2 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (2 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Houston Notes
(9/13) Determined to run but bad success, pop expl
(6/14) QB, RB, WR, TE + 3 OL upgrades via portals
(6/14) RB Connors pot. big add, workhorse w/ hands
(6/14) OL added 3 starters & depth, much better TY
(5/23) New OC Nagle great w/ Fritz @ Tulane
(5/23) New DC Armstrong downgrade from Shiel Wood
(5/15) DE/Pass Rush looks like a big ? Walls (FIU) key
(5/13) TE Koziol (Ball St) huge add, @ Wisc in spring
(4/4) CB Jeremiah Wilson a top 10 CB via PFF
(3/21) QB Weigman is talented. Could be great fit

Houston Highlights
Houston is Undefeated vs Spread
Houston in Undefeated
Houston is Undefeated at Home
Houston is Undefeated vs Spread at Home

Houston offense is explosive (#16)
Houston offense is good on 3rd downs
Houston has a really good defense (#8)
Houston defense does not give up big plays (#27)
Houston has a good pass defense (#4)
Houston Defensive Line is very good (#26)
Houston Secondary is very good (#30)
Houston has a great TO Margin (#1)
Houston defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#6)

Houston Deficiencies
Houston offense is really bad (#120)
Houston run game is really bad (#120)
Houston has a bad red zone defense (#125)


  
West Virginia's OC Rich Rodriguez
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nicco Marchiol517172%594218.4
Jaylen Henderson (Tr)2729%12001.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Tye Edwards (Tr)2514135.627
Jahiem White2413335.532
Scotty Fox Jr.86518.159
Clay Ash216203.011
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Vaughn (Tr)12203116.946
Grayson Barnes (Tr)997110.834
Jaden Bray795013.645
Rodney Gallagher87309.120

View West Virginia's Full Roster
West Virginia's DC Zac Alley
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Fred Perry (Tr)213212
Darrian Lewis (Tr)210000
Ben Cutter182011
Kekoura Tarnue151002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chase Wilson (Tr)134311
Fred Perry (Tr)213212
Hammond Russell IV93200
Edward Vesterinen92200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Fred Perry (Tr)213212
Kekoura Tarnue151002
Eddie Kelly81102

Houston's OC Slade Nagle
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Conner Weigman (Tr)457064%569408.1
Zeon Chriss1333%-700-2.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dean Connors (Tr)5027135.454
Conner Weigman (Tr)3314534.449
Stacy Sneed2510104.016
J'Marion Burnette104004.012
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Stephon Johnson Jr.6191131.874
Tanner Koziol (Tr)1714818.723
Amare Thomas (Tr)8110113.822
J'Marion Burnette139139.039

View Houston's Full Roster
Houston's DC Austin Armstrong
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jalen Garner201010
Carlos Allen172001
Latrell McCutchin162001
Kentrell Webb132000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Eddie Walls III (Tr)135211
Corey Platt Jr.72200
Brandon Mack72210
Khalil Laufau (Tr)81111
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Latreveon McCutchin80002
Zelmar Vedder (Tr)50002
Khalil Laufau (Tr)81111