Houston at West Virginia - 2026 Matchup Preview

Houston Cougars at West Virginia Mountaineers

Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Field at Milan Puskar Stadium - Morgantown, WV

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 2nd straight Road Game
WVU 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Houston -6.5 (SP+ HOU -14)
Projected Score: HOU: 29 - WVU: 23 (52)
HOU Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
HOU Travel: 1109 miles, 1 hrs behind

Mountaineers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rich Rodriguez (64 - 34)
Avg Score : 22 - 31 (23 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#96)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
HOU Players
WVU 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	-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

West Virginia's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	West Virginia vs Coastal Carolina	-18
Sat 9/12	West Virginia vs UT Martin	-21
Sat 9/19	West Virginia vs Virginia	+8
Sat 9/26	West Virginia vs Oklahoma State	-8.5
Sat 10/3	West Virginia at Iowa State	+9
Sat 10/10	West Virginia vs Arizona	+8
Sat 10/17	West Virginia vs Cincinnati	+3.5
Sat 10/24	West Virginia at TCU	+13
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7	West Virginia at Texas Tech	+31.5
Sat 11/14	West Virginia vs Kansas	+1.5
Sat 11/21	West Virginia vs Houston	+6.5
Sat 11/28	West Virginia at Utah	+21.5

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
WVU	#118 (.07)	37% (121)	21.8	39% (113)	2.66 (118)	161	34% (130)	189	3.53 (86)	#63 (.16)	40% (54)	30.8	39% (36)	43% (80)	3.9 (91)	56	1.5	1.7

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
WVU		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
WVU Defense	12	30.8	28.2	40.5%	3.9	1.7	-	-	-	-	-	49%	49%	39%	43%	18%	.16

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
WVU Offense	12	21.8	22.7	36.8%	3.53	1.5	19	350	161	189	3.7	57%	42%	39%	34%	16%	.07

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
West Virginia	12	26:18	18.8	30%	45%	5.8	56	1.5	1.7	6.7	2.4	1	28.3

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)
WVU Defense	12	49% (60)	39% (36)	-	-	-	-	.02 (25)	2.42 (8)	73% (80)	12% (12)	0.95 (64)

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)
WVU Offense	12	57% (20)	39% (113)	43.6	160.7	3.7	22 (36)	-.02 (126)	2.66 (118)	62% (121)	10% (103)	0.89 (101)

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)
WVU Defense	12	49% (82)	43% (80)	-	-	-	-	-	-	11 (22)	.33 (104)	1.7 (125)	34% (27)	33% (112)	.42 (121)	6% (69)	2.1 (110)

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)
WVU Offense	12	42% (116)	34% (130)	16	27.3	188.9	6.9	11.8	10 (128)	11 (88)	.2 (99)	1.7 (24)	30% (53)	26% (116)	.21 (99)	6% (55)	2.1 (52)

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 West Virginia: 0.155

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Houston: 7.4 West Virginia: -6.8

West Virginia's Power Ratings
West Virginia's Power Rating: 0.155 #56
West Virginia's Offense Rating: 10.34 #69
West Virginia's Defense Rating: 13.23 #40
2026 Talent Rating: 902.00 #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 4 #56
West Virginia's 2026 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
West Virginia's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.8 #93
West Virginia's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.8 #102
West Virginia's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.0 #91

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
Houston 29
West Virginia 23

Projected Total Points: 52

West Virginia Scoring
Offense: 21.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 22.7
Defense: 30.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.2

West Virginia'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
2025	11/01	Houston	35	West Virginia	45	Houston -13.5	West Virginia	48.5	Over
2023	10/12	Houston	41	West Virginia	39	West Virginia -3.0	Houston	49.5	Over

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
West Virginia	1	1	2 Overs
Houston	1	1	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 1	1 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 1	1 - 0

(#40) HOU at (#56) WVU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	HOU	WVU
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#40	#56
SP+SP+	#40	#93
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#52	#26
Blue ChipsBC%	#46	#56

Houston Injury Report

West Virginia Injury Report

Houston on Offense

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	HOU Off	WVU Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#74	#54
ExplosiveExp	#85	#125
PPAPPA	#102	#63
PowerPwr	#43	#40
SP+SP+	#44	#91
Pts POPPO	#83	#91
HavocHav	#36	#26

Houston Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	HOU Off	WVU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#99	#36
Run ExplRExp	#130	#64
PPAExp	#132	#25
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#125	#8
Stuff RateStuff	#108	#18
TackleTak	-	NR

Houston Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat	HOU Off	WVU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#35	#80
Pass ExplPExl	#16	#125
PPAExp	#35	#104
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#40	#12
DB HavocDB	#33	#69

West Virginia on Offense

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	WVU Off	HOU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#121	#65
ExplosiveExp	#79	#9
PPAPPA	#118	#44
PowerPwr	#69	#39
SP+SP+	#102	#46
Pts POPPO	#86	#94
HavocHav	#80	#58

West Virginia Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	WVU Off	HOU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#113	#104
Run ExplRExp	#101	#5
PPAExp	#126	#41
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#118	#32
Stuff RateStuff	#104	#54
TackleTak	-	NR

West Virginia Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	WVU Off	HOU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#130	#35
Pass ExplPExl	#24	#53
PPAExp	#99	#56
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#103	#84
DB HavocDB	#55	#28

Program Comparison
WVU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Previous Matchups
West Virginia beat Houston last year (45-35)
Houston beat West Virginia in 2023 (41-39)

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

WVU's OC Rich Rodriguez (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Scotty Fox Jr.	101	170	59%	1276	7	6	7.5
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)	15	27	56%	167	3	0	6.2

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cam Cook (Tr)	296	1666	16	5.6	73
Scotty Fox Jr.	84	201	3	2.4	59
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)	15	58	1	3.9	27
Armoni Weaver	1	29	0	29.0	29

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
DJ Epps (Tr)	46	498	5	10.8	48
John Neider (Tr)	27	422	2	15.6	45
Cam Cook (Tr)	30	286	0	9.5	54
Josh Sapp (Tr)	11	150	0	13.6	32

View West Virginia's Full Roster

WVU's DC Zac Alley (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tyler Stolsky (Tr)	86	2	1	1	2
Kamari Wilson (Tr)	78	7	1	1	4
Fred Perry	78	10	3	2	3
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)	63	2	0	2	5

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Fred Perry	78	10	3	2	3
David Afogho (Tr)	37	4	3	6	1
Harper Holloman (Tr)	39	6	2	6	4
Tyler Stolsky (Tr)	86	2	1	1	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jaire Rawlison (Tr)	52	2	1	0	6
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)	63	2	0	2	5
Harper Holloman (Tr)	39	6	2	6	4