Houston at Georgia Southern - 2026 Matchup Preview

Houston Cougars at Georgia Southern Eagles

Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Paulson Stadium - Statesboro, GA

Cougars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Willie Fritz (14 - 11)
Avg Score : 29 - 23 (31 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.9 - 4.1 (#34)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 5)

HOU 2nd straight Road Game
GASO coming off BYE
HOU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Houston -13.5 (SP+ HOU -17)
Projected Score: HOU: 36 - GASO: 22 (58)
HOU Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
HOU Travel: 823 miles, 1 hrs behind

Eagles (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Clay Helton (27 - 25)
Avg Score : 28 - 32 (36 - 33 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#94)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
HOU Players
GASO Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Houston's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Houston vs Oregon State	-21
Sat 9/12	Houston vs Southern	-31.5
Sat 9/19	Houston at Texas Tech	+22
Sat 9/26	Houston at Georgia Southern	-13.5
Sat 10/3	Houston vs UCF	-6
Sat 10/10	Houston at Kansas State	+2.5
Sat 10/17	Houston vs Oklahoma State	-13
Sat 10/24	Houston at Utah	+12.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7	Houston vs Cincinnati	-7.5
Sat 11/14	Houston at Colorado	-6.5
Sat 11/21	Houston at West Virginia	-5
Sat 11/28	Houston vs Baylor	-6

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

Predictions for Houston's Schedule

Georgia Southern's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/12	Georgia Southern at Clemson	+22
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/26	Georgia Southern vs Houston	+13.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Georgia Southern's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
HOU	#102 (.12)	42% (74)	29.1	40% (99)	2.61 (125)	179	45% (35)	216	3.55 (83)	#44 (.11)	42% (65)	22.8	46% (104)	38% (35)	3.91 (94)	40.1	1.1	1.4
GASO	#38 (.21)	45% (36)	27.9	47% (34)	3.22 (20)	155	45% (34)	247	4.09 (37)	#128 (.28)	49% (133)	32.3	51% (134)	48% (126)	4.21 (117)	50.4	1	1.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
HOU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
GASO		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
HOU Offense	13	29.1	31	41.9%	3.55	1.1	22	395	179	216	4.3	57%	42%	40%	45%	13%	.12
GASO Defense	13	32.3	33	49%	4.21	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	51%	47%	51%	48%	15%	.28

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
HOU Defense	13	22.8	19.5	41.5%	3.91	1.4	-	-	-	-	-	49%	49%	46%	38%	16%	.11
GASO Offense	13	27.9	36.2	45.5%	4.09	1	22	402	155	247	4.4	49%	49%	47%	45%	14%	.21

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Houston	13	32:18	22.1	41%	59%	4.6	40.1	1.1	1.4	4.7	2.2	2	30.6
Georgia Southern	13	29:30	22.1	45%	56%	5.3	50.4	1	1.5	4.6	0.9	1	28.1

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
HOU Offense	13	57% (17)	40% (99)	41.9	178.6	4.3	17 (78)	-.03 (132)	2.61 (125)	73% (61)	8% (40)	0.8 (130)
GASO Defense	13	51% (84)	51% (134)	-	-	-	-	.27 (135)	3.4 (134)	75% (97)	9% (93)	1.06 (113)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
HOU Defense	13	49% (55)	46% (104)	-	-	-	-	.05 (41)	2.7 (32)	76% (104)	9% (84)	0.78 (5)
GASO Offense	13	49% (70)	47% (34)	35.5	155.3	4.4	18 (60)	.18 (39)	3.22 (20)	72% (68)	9% (47)	0.91 (89)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
HOU Offense	13	42% (118)	45% (35)	18.6	29	216.4	7.5	11.6	26 (50)	10 (20)	.35 (35)	1.7 (16)	30% (43)	27% (105)	.21 (101)	5% (33)	2 (79)
GASO Defense	13	47% (52)	48% (126)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (75)	.34 (111)	1.5 (36)	29% (113)	37% (133)	.33 (87)	6% (62)	1.8 (17)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
HOU Defense	13	49% (80)	38% (35)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (38)	.21 (56)	1.5 (53)	32% (60)	25% (14)	.23 (46)	7% (28)	2.1 (100)
GASO Offense	13	49% (70)	45% (34)	21	33.2	247	7.5	11.8	26 (33)	9 (88)	.29 (48)	1.5 (78)	29% (26)	37% (16)	.46 (17)	5% (28)	2 (77)

Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: 8.40 #46
Houston's Offense Rating: 15.17 #55
Houston's Defense Rating: 11.77 #40
2026 Talent Rating: 824.00 #53
Blue Chip Ratio: 6% #53
Houston's 2026 Expected Record: 7.9 - 4.1
Houston's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 7.4 #40
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.5 #44
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.0 #46

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Houston: 8.40 Georgia Southern: -5.545

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Houston: 7.4 Georgia Southern: -9.4

Georgia Southern's Power Ratings
Georgia Southern's Power Rating: -5.545 #102
Georgia Southern's Offense Rating: 11.75 #78
Georgia Southern's Defense Rating: 23.44 #124
2026 Talent Rating: 700.00 #76
Blue Chip Ratio: 4 #57
Georgia Southern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Georgia Southern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -9.4 #103
Georgia Southern's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.3 #59
Georgia Southern's Defense SP+ Rating: 37.7 #130

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 538.15
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Houston Scoring
Offense: 29.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 31
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 19.5

Houston's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Houston 36
Georgia Southern 22

Projected Total Points: 58

Georgia Southern Scoring
Offense: 27.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.2
Defense: 32.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 33

Georgia Southern's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Georgia Southern	0	0	0 Overs
Houston	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0

(#46) HOU at (#102) GASO

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	HOU	GASO
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#46	#102
SP+SP+	#40	#103
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#53	#76
Blue ChipsBC%	#53	#57

Houston Notes(2/17) Vibes: Great, HC Fritz cookin here, high hopes
(3/3) DBs really good, CB duo looks great, good at S
(2/6) 247 has Hou portal class #46, On3 top ten?
(2/4) HC Fritz great job 10 wins in year 2. Big jump
(2/4) OC Nagle has a lot to prove this year
(2/4) QB Weigman good, somehow back again. Depth?
(2/4) RB big ? Hughes (OU) great in '24 w Tulane
(2/4) WR duo of Thomas/Walker really good. Have depth
(2/4) OL relying on G5 jump ups. IOL solid, OT has ?
(2/4) DL has good parts, DE/LB mixed, lots of options
(2/4) Pass rush a big concern on paper, v low grades
Houston Injury Report

Georgia Southern Notes(2/24) QB M Johnson hasn't played full season since '21
(2/24) RB has 5 with very little exp & prod
(2/24) WR added 7 portals, mostly P4 projects
(2/24) OL has little exp & 1 portal starter added.
(2/24) Def awful LY but returns a lot, can they improve?
(2/2) Helton era acceptable but feels stale, new DC TY
Georgia Southern Injury Report

Houston on Offense

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	HOU Off	GASO Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#74	#133
ExplosiveExp	#85	#63
PPAPPA	#102	#128
PowerPwr	#55	#124
SP+SP+	#44	#130
Pts POPPO	#83	#117
HavocHav	#36	#83

Houston Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	HOU Off	GASO Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#99	#134
Run ExplRExp	#130	#113
PPAExp	#132	#135
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#125	#134
Stuff RateStuff	#108	#113
TackleTak	-	NR

Houston Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	HOU Off	GASO Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#35	#126
Pass ExplPExl	#16	#36
PPAExp	#35	#111
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#40	#93
DB HavocDB	#33	#62

Georgia Southern on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	GASO Off	HOU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#36	#65
ExplosiveExp	#80	#9
PPAPPA	#38	#44
PowerPwr	#78	#40
SP+SP+	#59	#46
Pts POPPO	#37	#94
HavocHav	#43	#58

Georgia Southern Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	GASO Off	HOU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#34	#104
Run ExplRExp	#89	#5
PPAExp	#39	#41
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#20	#32
Stuff RateStuff	#41	#54
TackleTak	-	NR

Georgia Southern Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat	GASO Off	HOU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#34	#35
Pass ExplPExl	#78	#53
PPAExp	#48	#56
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#47	#84
DB HavocDB	#28	#28

Program Comparison
GASO 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

HOU 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Paulson Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

No Matchups Past 4 Years

HOU's OC Slade Nagle (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Conner Weigman	232	356	65%	2705	25	9	7.6
Luke Carney (Tr)	5	7	71%	22	0	0	3.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Conner Weigman	170	703	11	4.1	50
DJ Butler	68	301	0	4.4	15
Makhi Hughes (Tr)	17	70	0	4.1	19
Luke Carney (Tr)	10	28	1	2.8	18

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Amare Thomas	67	966	12	14.4	64
Trent Walker (Tr)	68	823	2	12.1	43
Patrick Overmyer (Tr)	27	344	5	12.7	45
Koby Young	12	191	0	15.9	43

View Houston's Full Roster

HOU's DC Austin Armstrong (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kentrell Webb	71	3	0	0	4
Jaden Yates (Tr)	55	2	1	0	0
Sione Fotu	53	1	1	2	0
Jordan Allen	48	2	1	0	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Brandon Mack	32	6	5	1	0
Khalil Laufau	34	3	2	2	1
Latreveon McCutchin	37	3	1	4	2
Carmycah Glass	24	1	1	2	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Javion White (Tr)	44	4	6
Will James	39	4	5
Kentrell Webb	71	3	4

GASO's OC Ryan Aplin (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Max Johnson (Tr)	54	87	62%	437	2	0	5.0
Turner Helton	14	26	54%	74	1	0	2.8

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
David Mbadinga	49	196	1	4.0	16
Weston Bryan	31	111	3	3.6	11
Taeo Todd	26	102	0	3.9	19
Jamarian Samuel	12	87	1	7.3	36

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Taylor Bradshaw	16	131	1	8.2	22
Ashton Hollins (Tr)	4	108	1	27.0	49
Josh Dallas	8	68	0	8.5	17
Terrance Gibbs	7	68	0	9.7	17

View Georgia Southern's Full Roster

GASO's DC Mike Mutz (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Brandon Tyson	84	3	0	6	2
Anthony Bynum (Tr)	63	6	3	8	4
Tracy Hill Jr.	41	4	1	0	7
MJ Stroud	33	16	7	6	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
MJ Stroud	33	16	7	6	2
Anthony Bynum (Tr)	63	6	3	8	4
Caleb Moore	27	4	2	2	1
Devin Collier	24	1	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tracy Hill Jr.	41	4	1	0	7
Anthony Bynum (Tr)	63	6	3	8	4
Jaquari Brown	16	1	0	0	3