How The Houston Cougars Could Ruin Oklahoma State's Season

The Houston Cougars could really do damage to Oklahoma State’s season under the right circumstances.

Oklahoma State head football coach Eric Morris. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oklahoma State Cowboys know who they are. The Houston Cougars. But the Cougars had a head start.

Houston (5-1, 2-1 in Big 12) entered 2026 coming off a 10-win season under head coach Willie Fritz, who is in his third year as the program’s head coach after a long, successful stint at Tulane. He built continuity in just two years in Houston, with 11 returning starters. That includes some of the players that dominated the Cowboys in last season's meeting, including quarterback Conner Weigman and wide receiver Amare Thomas.

The Cougars entered the season among the favorites to reach the Big 12 Championship game in December. At least one preseason publication picked them third behind last year’s title game participants, Texas Tech and BYU. Now, the Cowboys (4-1, 2-0) can be considered among the contenders.

For the Cowboys, this is measuring stick game. It could help ruin Oklahoma State’s season.

How Houston Could Ruin OSU’s Season

Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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The Cowboys have played five teams. Of the five, Oregon was the one game where Oklahoma State was seen as a big underdog. OSU ended up winning. It was their first win since losing to Tulsa in the opener. This is Oklahoma State’s third Big 12 game and the Cowboys are rolling into this contest with the Cougars (6:30 p.m., FOX).

This game will not be a pushover. The Cougars' only loss was to Texas Tech in the conference opener for both teams and Houston was an inch away from forcing overtime in Lubbock. Like Oklahoma State (No. 18), the Cougars are ranked in the AP Top 25 at No. 20.

This is a massive opportunity for the Cowboys. The talent has lined up with the high expectations that head coach Eric Morris had going into the season, even if most fans didn't. OSU has won as many games as it has the last two years combined. The confidence level for the Cowboys is sky-high.

That’s exactly how Houston could end up ruining Oklahoma State’s season. For a Cowboys team brimming with confidence, a trip to Houston that ends in a loss could put them in a spiral that might set off a losing streak in the back half of the season with no bye week ahead. As the Cowboys can entertain hopes of a Big 12 Championship game berth, this is the pivot game to determine if they're legitimate or not.

That’s how a Houston win could ruin Oklahoma State’s season. Win or lose, it shouldn't be as lopsided as last year's 39-17 Cowboys loss.

Note: This story was originally published this summer and has been updated ahead of Saturday's game with Houston.