PREVIEW: #14 Houston Meets #10 Utah

Saturday, October 24

Salt Lake City, Utah

9:15 p.m. CT

University of Houston

Utah

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Celerbation in endzone Amare Thomas ReShaun Sanford

10/20/2026 2:59:00 PM | Football

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Cougars head to Utes for a Top 15 showdown under the lights

SALT LAKE CITY – The #14 Houston Football team is back in action with another tilt against a ranked team, this time facing off against #10 Utah at 9:15 p.m. CT, Saturday, at Rice-Eccles Stadium on ESPN for the Cougars' first Top 15 road matchup since 1991.

GAME 8 – AT UTAH

#14/16 Houston (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) vs. #10/9 Utah (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 9:15 p.m. CT
Rice-Eccles Stadium | Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast: ESPN
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston has some of the best secondary players in the game. Three different Cougars rank inside the Top 30 nationally in passes defended – Jordan Allen (eighth, 1.29), Will James (18^th, 1.14) and Jalen Mayo (26^th, 1.00) – while Allen and James both tie for 27^th nationally with a pair of interceptions each.
Houston has dominated on the ground over the first seven games of the season averaging 220 yards per game – 17th most nationally, while allowing just 82.6 rushing yards per game on defense – sixth fewest nationally.
Houston is the only school in the country with three receivers with 5+ receiving touchdowns through Week 7. Tight end Patrick Overmyer leads all FBS tight ends with seven receiving touchdowns while Amare Thomas (6) and Koby Young (5) have each hauled in 5+ receiving touchdowns.
Houston's defense has been stout against the run, allowing the sixth fewest yards per game against the rush. Only three of Houston's seven opponents have rushed for more than 100 yards and only one has barely surpassed 150.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Saturday's game marks the first time Houston has played in back-to-back regular season Top 25 matchups – where both teams are ranked – since 1977 and just the third time in program history (1977, 1976). The last time Houston played against a ranked team in back-to-back weeks was in 2017.
The Cougars have had the Utes' number since the first meeting in 1966. In four of the five meetings, Houston has scored 34+ points with the most recent win over Utah coming in head coach Willie Fritz's first season at Houston – a 17-14 walk-off field goal win over a previously ranked Utah squad.
Quarterback Conner Weigman crafted a career-best game against #18 Oklahoma State, passing for a career-high 343 yards while tying his career high with five passing touchdowns. Weigman rushed for the game sealing first down to allow the Cougars to line up in Victory Formation. Weigman found receiver Amare Thomas twice and connected with two different receivers for 100+ receiving yards each – the first UH QB to do so since Clayton Tune in 2022.
Over the last five seasons, Houston has been one of the best among Power 4 schools on the road, winning 20 games away from TDECU Stadium – the third-most nationally. The Cougars' 20-13 road winning percentage (.606) is the 16th best in the country and second best in the Big 12 Conference. Houston is 2-1 on the road in 2026 and 9-1 away from TDECU Stadium in the last two seasons.
Eight Cougars were named Dave Campbell's Texas Football Midseason All-Texas teams on Tuesday, headlined by five First-Team selections. Four offensive players earned First-Team honors at the midseason point by Dave Campbell's. Quarterback Conner Weigman, tight end Patrick Overmyer, center Anthony Boswell and guard Shadre Hurst were joined by cornerback Jalen Mayo on the First Team. Wide receiver Amare Thomas, defensive lineman Khalil Laufau and safety Kentrell Webb earned Second-Team accolades.

SCOUTING UTAH

Utah, who holds the longest win streak in the country entering Saturday's game, holds a 6-0 record including a 3-0 mark in Big 12 play. The Utes have wins over Colorado, Kansas and Iowa State as well as a non-conference win over Arkansas.
The Utes rank ninth nationally in total offense, amassing 486.5 yards per game thanks to a rushing offense that averages 220 yards per game. Wayshawn Parker leads the attack on the ground with 597 yards along with seven touchdowns.
Three different Utah players have two interceptions while Trey Reynolds paces the squad with 35 tackles on the year.

LAST TIME AGAINST UTAH

A 17-14 win in 2024 at TDECU Stadium pushed Houston to 5-0 all-time against Utah. Jack Martin kicked a 43-yard walk-off field goal to secure the win.
Zeon Chriss-Gremillion threw for two touchdowns, one each to Joseph Manjack IV and Stephon Johnson. J'Marion Burnette and Re'Shaun Sanford II led the ground game, posting 81 and 72 yards, respectively.
AJ Haulcy caught an interception while Brandon Mack II and Latreveon McCutchin both forced fumbles to pace the team defensively.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD BE ...

Houston's sixth straight win over Utah.
Houston's second-straight 7-1 start to a season.
Conner Weigman's 26^th career win as a starter.
Houston's fifth all-time win on the road in a matchup of two ranked teams.
The Cougars' first road win between two ranked teams since beating #4 Arkansas in 1979.
Willie Fritz's 268^th career win.
Willie Fritz's 228^th NCAA win.

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