Houston defensive back Javion White (0) celebrates after stopping a first down from Oregon State during the second half of an NCAA College Football match between the Oregon State Beavers and the Houston Cougars on September 5, 2026, at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. | Matthew Guzman/ The Cougar
The No. 20 Houston Cougars will look to grab their first conference win of the season when the University of Central Florida Knights visit Houston on Oct. 3 at TDECU Stadium.
In its only other conference game, Houston was an inch away from tying the game in a heartbreaking loss to now-No. 12 Texas Tech. Houston responded with a strong road performance against Georgia Southern on Sept. 26.
For Houston, fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman has been a consistent passer, tossing 11 touchdowns to just one interception thrown in the first game of the season.
He will face a UCF defense that allows 268 passing yards per game. In both games against FBS opponents, Weigman threw the ball at least 30 times and that trend may continue on Saturday against UCF’s tough run defense.
The Knights’ run defense has been a wall so far, allowing just 3.2 yards a carry. In their last matchup against TCU, they held the Horned Frogs to a whopping 1.2 yards a carry.
However, Houston boasts a strong rushing attack, runs for 5.1 yards per carry this season and averaged almost five yards a carry in the game against Texas Tech. Junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford II has been especially efficient this season, averaging an outstanding 6.8 yards per carry.
UCF hasn’t shown an ability to be an offensive threat against other FBS teams. In both games against an FBS team, Pittsburgh and TCU, the Knights have scored 28 points. The Knights have also struggled on third down, converting just 28% of their attempts.
UCF’s first option, junior running back Duke Watson, has rushed for almost nine yards a carry through its first four games.
Houston’s run defense like allowed just 3.1 yards a carry. An issue in Houston’s last conference game against Texas Tech was a difficulty tackling, as the Red Raiders would have 168 total rushing yards.
UCF held TCU to 33 rushing yards last week, meaning that the Cougars may have to rely on Weigman to get their first conference win.
UCF’s running game is efficient and has the ability to break for big yardage, but Houston’s run defense ranks the best in the Big 12, allowing only 63.5 yards per game.
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