Houston at Georgia Southern - 2026 Matchup Preview
Houston logo

Houston Cougars at Georgia Southern Eagles

Georgia Southern logo
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: 8.3 - 3.7 (#28)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 4)
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: 0.3 - 1.7 (#132)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
Houston's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Houston vs Oregon State-21.5————
Sat 9/12Houston vs Southern-29.5————
Sat 9/19Houston at Texas Tech+22.5————
Sat 9/26Houston at Georgia Southern-13.5————
Sat 10/3Houston vs UCF-9————
Sat 10/10Houston at Kansas State+1.5————
Sat 10/17Houston vs Oklahoma State-5.5————
Sat 10/24Houston at Utah+4.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Houston vs Cincinnati-8.5————
Sat 11/14Houston at Colorado-9.5————
Sat 11/21Houston at West Virginia-8————
Sat 11/28Houston vs Baylor-8————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 4, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 4, Bad 3, Poor 1
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
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/12Georgia Southern at Clemson+19.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26Georgia Southern vs Houston+13.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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

Predictions for Georgia Southern'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
GASO#38 (.21)45% (36)27.947% (34)3.22 (20)15545% (34)2474.09 (37)#128 (.28)49% (133)32.351% (134)48% (126)4.21 (117)50.411.5
 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
GASO0%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
GASO Defense1332.33349%4.211.5 - - - - - 51%47%51%48%15%.28
 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
GASO Offense1327.936.245.5%4.091224021552474.449%49%47%45%14%.21

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
Georgia Southern1329:3022.145%56%5.350.411.54.60.9128.1
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)
GASO Defense1351% (84)51% (134) - - - - .27 (135)3.4 (134)75% (97)9% (93)1.06 (113)
 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)
GASO Offense1349% (70)47% (34)35.5155.34.418 (60).18 (39)3.22 (20)72% (68)9% (47)0.91 (89)

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)
GASO Defense1347% (52)48% (126) - - - - - - 12 (75).34 (111)1.5 (36)29% (113)37% (133).33 (87)6% (62)1.8 (17)
 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)
GASO Offense1349% (70)45% (34)2133.22477.511.826 (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: 8.28  #27
Houston's Offense Rating: 19.80  #24
Houston's Defense Rating: 11.52  #35
2026 Talent Rating: 769.00  #53
Blue Chip Ratio: 625%  #50
Houston's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Houston's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 7.4  #39
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.5  #44
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.0  #46

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 766.38
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.7

Power Ratings Matchup
Houston: 8.28   Georgia Southern: -5.715

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




Georgia Southern's Power Ratings
Georgia Southern's Power Rating: -5.715  #107
Georgia Southern's Offense Rating: 9.61  #115
Georgia Southern's Defense Rating: 16.64  #85
2026 Talent Rating: 627.00  #74
Blue Chip Ratio: 375  #58
Georgia Southern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.3 - 1.7
Georgia Southern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -9.4  #104
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 466.92
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.7


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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Georgia Southern000 Overs
Houston000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#27) HOU at (#107) GASO
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatHOUGASO
Game ControlGC #51 #90
Momentum ControlMC #49 #125
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #27 #107
SP+SP+ #39 #104
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #53 #74
Blue ChipsBC% #50 #58
Houston Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Great, HC Fritz cookin here, high hopes
(3/17) LBs are loaded with exp, 6 guys. Should be good
(3/17) QB Weigman good, mobile. Henderson huge croot
(3/17) RB big ? really need Hughes (OU) or depth to hit
(3/17) OL need 3 G6 risers to hit, but very exp'd, promising
(3/17) DL very inexp'd, lacks big options on paper. Big ?
(3/17) DBs look good, CB duo good, Saf has good options
(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) WR duo of Thomas/Walker really good. Have depth
(2/4) Pass rush a big concern on paper, v low grades
Houston Injury Report
Georgia Southern Notes
(3/26) New DC Mutz a good DC hire from SFA
(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 OffGASO Def
Game ControlGC #47 #72
Momentum ControlMC #23 #128
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #74 #133
ExplosiveExp #85 #63
PPAPPA #102 #128
PowerPwr #24 #85
SP+SP+ #44 #130
Pts POPPO #83 #117
HavocHav #36 #83
Houston Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat
HOU OffGASO Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #99 #134
Run ExplRExp #130 #113
PPAExp #132 #135
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #125 #134
Stuff RateStuff #108 #113
TackleTak - NR
Houston Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 41%
CategoryCat
HOU OffGASO Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #35 #126
Pass ExplPExl #16 #36
PPAExp #35 #111
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #40 #93
DB HavocDB #33 #62
Georgia Southern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatGASO OffHOU Def
Game ControlGC #103 #61
Momentum ControlMC #91 #70
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #36 #65
ExplosiveExp #80 #9
PPAPPA #38 #44
PowerPwr #115 #35
SP+SP+ #59 #46
Pts POPPO #37 #94
HavocHav #43 #58
Georgia Southern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
GASO OffHOU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #34 #104
Run ExplRExp #89 #5
PPAExp #39 #41
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #20 #32
Stuff RateStuff #41 #54
TackleTak - NR
Georgia Southern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatGASO OffHOU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #34 #35
Pass ExplPExl #78 #53
PPAExp #48 #56
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
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 Below Avg P4
'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 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

GASO's OC Ryan Aplin (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Max Johnson (Tr)548762%437205.0
Turner Helton142654%74102.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
David Mbadinga4919614.016
Weston Bryan3111133.611
Taeo Todd2610203.919
Jamarian Samuel128717.336
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Taylor Bradshaw1613118.222
Ashton Hollins (Tr)4108127.049
Josh Dallas86808.517
Terrance Gibbs76809.717

View Georgia Southern's Full Roster

GASO's DC Mike Mutz (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Tyson843062
Anthony Bynum (Tr)636384
Tracy Hill Jr.414107
MJ Stroud3316762
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
MJ Stroud3316762
Anthony Bynum (Tr)636384
Caleb Moore274221
Devin Collier241100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tracy Hill Jr.414107
Anthony Bynum (Tr)636384
Jaquari Brown161003