Houston Quarterback Connor Weigman (1) and Tight End Kaleb Thomas (19) look back at their bench during their football game against the Oklahoma State University Cowboys on October 16, 2026 in Houston | Mikele Rodriguez/The Cougar
The No. 17 Houston Cougars face off against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Nov. 7 at the TDECU Stadium. This is the 31st game between the teams, with both of them tied at 15 apiece in the overall series record.
The Cougars boast the 21st-ranked run defense, allowing 100.5 yards per game. However, the pass defense is the fourth-worst in the Big 12, allowing 257.4 yards per game.
On the offense, fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman has thrown for 2,053 yards and 20 touchdowns while only having two interceptions. On the ground, he has run for 249 yards and six touchdowns.
The running game consists of a two-headed running back duo of junior Re’Shaun Sanford II and senior Makhi Hughes. Sanford has 447 yards and two touchdowns while Hughes leads the team with 516 yards and four touchdowns.
For Cincinnati, it comes in this game with a 5-3 record but was able to beat the then-No. 8 Texas Tech 37-24.
Fifth-year quarterback James Charles French IV has thrown the ball for 1,773 yards and 10 touchdowns with a 67.1 completion percentage. Senior wide receiver JaVonnie Gibson has been his main target with 34 catches for 461 yards and four touchdowns.
The main weapon on the offense comes from junior running back Cole Tabb, who has run for 752 and 10 touchdowns. Cincinnati has the second-best run game in the conference with 229.4 yards per game but has the third-worst pass defense, allowing 282.1 per game.
The last time Houston beat Cincinnati was in 2016. The Bearcats have a five-game winning streak against the Cougars, which Houston is hoping to break on Saturday.
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