Houston at Utah - 2026 Matchup Preview
Houston logo Houston Cougars at Utah UtesUtah logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Rice-Eccles Stadium - Salt Lake City, UT

 
Cougars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Willie Fritz (14 - 11)
Avg Score : 29 - 23 (31 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.3 - 3.7 (#29)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
HOU is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: Utah -12.5  (SP+ UTAH -15)
Projected Score: HOU: 22 - UTAH: 35 (57)
UTAH Win prob: 81% | Cover: 53%
HOU Travel: 1200 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Utes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Morgan Scalley (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 41 - 19 (44 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.9 - 2.1 (#12)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Houston's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Houston vs Oregon State-24.5
Sat 9/12 Houston vs Southern-30
Sat 9/19 Houston at Texas Tech+22.5
Sat 9/26 Houston at Georgia Southern-14.5
Sat 10/3 Houston vs UCF-11.5
Sat 10/10 Houston at Kansas State+2.5
Sat 10/17 Houston vs Oklahoma State-17.5
Sat 10/24 Houston at Utah+12.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Houston vs Cincinnati-5.5
Sat 11/14 Houston at Colorado-12
Sat 11/21 Houston at West Virginia-6.5
Sat 11/28 Houston vs Baylor-7

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 Houston's Schedule
Utah's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Utah vs Idaho-40
Sat 9/12 Utah vs Arkansas-15.5
Sat 9/19 Utah vs Utah State-27.5
Sat 9/26 Utah at Iowa State-10
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 Utah vs Kansas-17.5
Sat 10/17 Utah at Colorado-22
Sat 10/24 Utah vs Houston-12.5
Sat 10/31 Utah at Cincinnati-10.5
Sat 11/7 Utah vs BYU-4
Sat 11/14 Utah at Arizona-6
Sat 11/21 Utah at TCU-6
Sat 11/28 Utah vs West Virginia-21.5

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 Utah'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
HOU#102 (.12)42% (74)29.140% (99)2.61 (125)17945% (35)2163.55 (83)#44 (.11)42% (65)22.846% (104)38% (35)3.91 (94)40.11.11.4
UTAH#3 (.36)49% (8)41.351% (5)3.55 (2)26747% (23)2175.01 (2)#23 (.07)38% (28)18.943% (79)33% (8)2.93 (16)480.91.4
 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
HOU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UTAH0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOU Offense1329.13141.9%3.551.1223951792164.357%42%40%45%13%.12
UTAH Defense1318.920.238.4%2.931.4 - - - - - 51%47%43%33%17%.07
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HOU Defense1322.819.541.5%3.911.4 - - - - - 49%49%46%38%16%.11
UTAH Offense1341.34449.1%5.010.9254832672176.156%44%51%47%12%.36

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
Houston1332:1822.141%59%4.640.11.11.44.72.2230.6
Utah1330:4725.553%64%5.9480.91.46.32.6428.7
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
HOU Offense1357% (17)40% (99)41.9178.64.317 (78)-.03 (132)2.61 (125)73% (61)8% (40)0.8 (130)
UTAH Defense1351% (80)43% (79) - - - - .18 (115)2.87 (65)73% (80)10% (57)1.11 (126)
 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
HOU Defense1349% (55)46% (104) - - - - .05 (41)2.7 (32)76% (104)9% (84)0.78 (5)
UTAH Offense1356% (25)51% (5)44.1266.56.141 (11).35 (2)3.55 (2)82% (6)7% (17)1.1 (18)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOU Offense1342% (118)45% (35)18.629216.47.511.626 (50)10 (20).35 (35)1.7 (16)30% (43)27% (105).21 (101)5% (33)2 (79)
UTAH Defense1347% (49)33% (8) - - - - - - 15 (38).01 (4)1.7 (118)33% (47)25% (18).1 (6)7% (22)2.1 (111)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HOU Defense1349% (80)38% (35) - - - - - - 12 (38).21 (56)1.5 (53)32% (60)25% (14).23 (46)7% (28)2.1 (100)
UTAH Offense1344% (105)47% (23)1828.7216.67.61227 (33)5 (34).38 (30)1.5 (83)28% (22)41% (3).65 (2)5% (39)2.1 (56)

Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: 5.68  #40
Houston's Offense Rating: 13.90  #43
Houston's Defense Rating: 13.22  #39
2026 Talent Rating: 812.00  #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 7%  #46
Houston's 2026 Expected Record: 9.3 - 3.7
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 796.63
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Houston: 5.68   Utah: 19.18

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Houston: 7.4   Utah: 22.2




Utah's Power Ratings
Utah's Power Rating: 19.18  #25
Utah's Offense Rating: 18.22  #20
Utah's Defense Rating: 12.06  #34
2026 Talent Rating: 736.00  #68
Blue Chip Ratio: 13  #36
Utah's 2026 Expected Record: 10.9 - 2.1
Utah's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 22.2  #8
Utah's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.7  #6
Utah's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.5  #17

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 796.63
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


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
Utah 35
Houston 22

Projected Total Points: 57
Utah Scoring
Offense: 41.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 44
Defense: 18.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.2

Utah'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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/26Houston17Utah14Utah -4.5Houston36.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Utah000 Overs
Houston111 Unders

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

(#40) HOU at (#25) UTAH
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatHOUUTAH
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #40 #25
SP+SP+ #40 #8
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #52 #68
Blue ChipsBC% #46 #36
Houston on Offense
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat
HOU OffUTAH Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #74 #28
ExplosiveExp #85 #116
PPAPPA #102 #23
PowerPwr #43 #34
SP+SP+ #44 #17
Pts POPPO #83 #16
HavocHav #36 #42
Houston Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat
HOU OffUTAH Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #99 #79
Run ExplRExp #130 #126
PPAExp #132 #115
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #125 #65
Stuff RateStuff #108 #51
TackleTak - NR
Houston Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat
HOU OffUTAH Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #35 #8
Pass ExplPExl #16 #118
PPAExp #35 #4
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #40 #57
DB HavocDB #33 #22
Utah on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatUTAH OffHOU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #8 #65
ExplosiveExp #52 #9
PPAPPA #3 #44
PowerPwr #20 #39
SP+SP+ #6 #46
Pts POPPO #2 #94
HavocHav #18 #58
Utah Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
UTAH OffHOU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #5 #104
Run ExplRExp #18 #5
PPAExp #2 #41
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #2 #32
Stuff RateStuff #3 #54
TackleTak - NR
Utah Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatUTAH OffHOU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #23 #35
Pass ExplPExl #83 #53
PPAExp #30 #56
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #84
DB HavocDB #39 #28
Program Comparison
UTAH 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to Title Contenders

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice-Eccles Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Houston beat Utah in 2024 (17-14)

  
HOU's OC Slade Nagle (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Conner Weigman23235665%27052597.6
Luke Carney (Tr)5771%22003.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Conner Weigman170703114.150
DJ Butler6830104.415
Makhi Hughes (Tr)177004.119
Luke Carney (Tr)102812.818
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Amare Thomas679661214.464
Trent Walker (Tr)68823212.143
Patrick Overmyer (Tr)27344512.745
Koby Young12191015.943

View Houston's Full Roster

HOU's DC Austin Armstrong (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kentrell Webb713004
Jaden Yates (Tr)552100
Sione Fotu531120
Jordan Allen482102
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Mack326510
Khalil Laufau343221
Latreveon McCutchin373142
Carmycah Glass241122
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javion White (Tr)444006
Will James394005
Kentrell Webb713004

UTAH's OC Kevin McGiven (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Devon Dampier21233464%24902457.5
Byrd Ficklin213560%301308.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayshawn Parker14998166.664
Devon Dampier146835105.759
Byrd Ficklin61513108.474
Steve Chavez-Soto (Tr)8744875.166
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Braden Pegan (Tr)60925515.454
Kyri Shoels (Tr)59768213.043
Dallen Bentley48620612.945
Larry Simmons15280618.748

View Utah's Full Roster

UTAH's DC Colton Swan (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Johnathan Hall636314
Jackson Bennee624125
Ethan Day (Tr)547580
Elijah Reed (Tr)442104
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ethan Day (Tr)547580
Kash Dillon325410
Johnathan Hall636314
Elijah Elliss183200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jackson Bennee624125
Johnathan Hall636314
Elijah Reed (Tr)442104