PREVIEW: #22 Houston Readies for Ranked In-State Showdown

HOUSTON – The #22 Houston Football team puts the longest road win streak in the country on the line as it travels to #13 Texas Tech for its Big 12 Conference opener at 7 p.m., Friday.

GAME 3 – AT TEXAS TECH

#22 Houston (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) at #13 Texas Tech (2-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Friday, Sept. 18 | 7 p.m.
Galaxy Stadium | Lubbock, Texas
Broadcast: FOX
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston has dominated on the ground over the first two games of the season posting 225+ yards of rushing in back-to-back games for the first time since 2019 when Houston rushed for 225+ yards in five consecutive games. Houston rushed for 388 yards against Southern, the most since rushing for 399 against UNLV in 2014.
Over the last five seasons, Houston has been one of the best among Power 4 schools on the road, winning 18 games away from TDECU Stadium – the third-most nationally. The Cougars' 18-12 road winning percentage (.600) is the 14th best in the country and second best in the Big 12 Conference.
Houston has quickly established itself as a top secondary in the country after two weeks. Fifth year cornerback Jalen Mayo leads all Power 4 cornerbacks with a 84.2 defense grade (min. 90 snaps). Teammate Javion White, both in their first season at Houston, ranks eighth among Power 4 cornerbacks with a 76.5 defense grade. Opposite Mayo, fellow cornerback Will James ranks 45th in Power 4 with a 67.3 defense grade.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Friday marks the first meeting between Houston and Texas Tech where both teams are ranked since 1989 when #13 Houston beat #20 Texas Tech inside the Astrodome 40-24. The Cougars have won each of the last five meetings when Houston has been ranked (2009, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1979).
Houston's 591 yards of total offense against Southern were the most by Houston were the most since posting 710 yards against SMU in 2022 and marked the first time Houston has recorded 500+ yards in consecutive games since Nov. 19 and Nov. 29 against East Carolina and Tulsa in 2022.
The Cougars dominated the running game in their opener against Oregon State, outgaining the Beavers on the ground 228-26, the most rushing yards by Houston in a season opener since rushing for 241 against Oklahoma in 2019.
Houston is ranked in the top 25 in both the AP Poll (#22) and the USA Today Coaches Poll (#23) for the third consecutive week.
Houston has one of the most experienced rosters entering the season in all of college football with 32,000+ snaps played and 480+ starts across the roster.

SCOUTING TEXAS TECH

The Red Raiders are coming off a late 35-24 win on the road at Oregon State last weekend. Texas Tech was out-gained by the Beavers, 417-197, but a pair of fourth-quarter scores put the visitors up for the victory.
Will Hammond has worked as the primary quarterback for Texas Tech, completing 46-of-60 passes for 487 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. J'koby Williams paces Red Raider running backs with 187 yards while Kenny Johnson is the lone Texas Tech receiver with more than 100 receiving yards this season.
Ben Roberts leads the team with 15 tackles with John Curry and Amier Boyd have both recorded interceptions this season.

LAST TIME AGAINST TEXAS TECH

The Red Raiders won the matchup, 35-11, at TDECU Stadium last season, but trails 18-17-1 in the all-time series.
Zelmar Vedder posted three tackles, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in the game. Latreveon McCutchin forced a fumble and posted a TFL as part of a six-stop performance and Kentrell Webb led the Cougars with nine stuffs.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD BE ...

Houston's fifth consecutive win.
Houston's second straight 3-0 start.
Head Coach Willie Fritz's 264^th career win.
Be Houston's first win over Texas Tech since 2009.
Be the first win against a ranked Texas Tech team since 1989.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
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SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.

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