As we enter Week 7 of the 2025 college football season, the Houston Cougars travel to Boone Pickens Stadium to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM and will be broadcast on TNT. Both teams are part of the Big 12 Conference, and this encounter presents an intriguing conference showdown. Houston Cougars have had a strong start to their season, holding a 4-1 overall record. Their performance on the road has been particularly impressive, with a 2-0 record. Coming off a tough home loss to Texas Tech, the Cougars will be eager to bounce back and secure another win away from home. The Oklahoma State Cowboys, on the other hand, have faced challenges this season, posting a 1-4 record. Their struggles in conference play are evident with an 0-2 record in the Big 12. Playing at home, they will look to capitalize on familiar surroundings and turn their fortunes around against a formidable Houston squad.
Oklahoma State vs Houston At a Glance
- Game Location: Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, OK
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- TV Channel: TNT
- Houston Cougars Record: 4-1 this season
- Oklahoma State Cowboys Record: 1-4 this season
- Game Odds: Houston favored by 14.5 points
Oklahoma State Cowboys: Seeking Redemption on the Road
Offensive Challenges
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have encountered difficulties on the offensive front this season. Currently, they rank 89th in points for, with just 82 points accumulated over their first few games. Their passing game is struggling, ranked 109th with 877 yards, while their rushing attack ranks 92nd with 703 yards.
The Cowboys’ inability to convert offensive opportunities into first downs is a concern. They stand at 58th in this category, with 82 first downs achieved so far.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Cowboys have faced significant challenges, conceding 181 points, placing them at 108th in the nation. However, the team has shown promise in creating turnovers, ranking 4th in interceptions with three on the season.
The Cowboys’ defense has also performed well in recovering fumbles, securing three recoveries, ranking 6th overall. Their ability to generate pressure is reflected in their 13th-ranked sack total of 11.
Quarterback Dilemma
Zane Flores leads the Cowboys’ quarterback group, having thrown for 696 yards but yet to record a passing touchdown. The young quarterback has also thrown three interceptions, affecting the team’s offensive efficiency.
With Hauss Hejny dealing with a foot injury, the Cowboys’ quarterback situation remains uncertain. His availability could impact the team’s offensive strategy significantly.
Injury Concerns
Oklahoma State is dealing with a significant injury list, which includes key players like DeSean Brown and Talyn Shettron, who are both out for the season with knee injuries. Several other players are listed as questionable, impacting the team’s depth and effectiveness.
Injuries to offensive linemen Markell Samuel and Louie Canepa could further strain the Cowboys’ offensive line, affecting both their passing and rushing games.
Recent Performance
The Cowboys are on a four-game losing streak, with their most recent loss coming against Arizona, 41-13. This poor run includes a heavy defeat to Oregon, 69-3, highlighting their struggles on both sides of the ball.
Despite a promising start with a win over UT Martin, the Cowboys have been unable to build momentum, facing tough competition in subsequent games.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 29 Games (2020–2025) → 23-6 (79.3%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 30 Games (2021–2025) → 21-9 (70.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 15 Games (2023–2025) → 10-5 (66.7%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 25 Games (2023–2025) → 15-10 (60.0%)
- SU – After Loss: Last 26 Games (2020–2025) → 12-14 (46.2%)
Houston’s Roar: A Closer Look at the Cougars Against Oklahoma State
Offensive Overview
The Houston Cougars have demonstrated a mixed performance offensively this season. With 136 points scored, they rank 61st nationally, which is a step up from their 106th rank last season. Their passing game has struggled, sitting at 96th with 996 yards, while their rushing game is slightly better at 72nd with 798 yards.
First downs have been a moderate success for Houston, with a ranking of 58th nationally. This improvement over last year’s 92nd rank suggests some development in sustaining drives. However, consistent scoring remains an area needing enhancement.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Cougars have shown remarkable resilience, ranking 44th in points against with 88 allowed. This defensive prowess is bolstered by their impressive sack count, placing them 13th nationally with 11 sacks.
Turnovers have been a strong point, with Houston ranking 6th in interceptions and 7th in fumbles recovered. This opportunistic defense could be a key factor in their upcoming game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent game against Texas Tech, Houston struggled offensively, managing only 11 points in a 35-11 loss. Their passing game was notably inefficient, with just 164 yards compared to Texas Tech’s 345.
However, in previous weeks, the Cougars secured victories against Oregon State and Colorado, displaying more balanced offensive efforts. These games highlight the potential for Houston to perform when both the passing and rushing games are effective.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Conner Weigman has been a pivotal figure, ranking 1st in team passing yards with 910. His ability to lead the offense will be crucial against Oklahoma State.
Running back Dean Connors leads the rushing attack with 355 yards, ranked 68th nationally. His performance will be vital in maintaining a balanced offensive strategy.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 5 Games (2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
- ATS – As Favorite: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
Oklahoma State vs Houston Prediction: Oklahoma State +14.5
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming into this game as 14.5-point underdogs against Houston. Despite their recent struggles, with a 1-4 record this season, the Cowboys have shown resilience in their past performances at home, where they hold a 21-9 record over the last few seasons. Their ability to perform well at Boone Pickens Stadium could play a significant role in keeping this game within the spread.
Houston is boasting a strong 4-1 record, but the Cowboys’ defense, which ranks 13th in sacks this season, might disrupt Houston’s offensive rhythm. Furthermore, with Oklahoma State’s strong track record of covering the spread as underdogs (13-14 in the last 27 games), there’s a reasonable expectation that they will stay competitive. This history suggests that the Cowboys could cover the spread.
Oklahoma State’s recent 13-41 loss to Arizona may not fully reflect their potential, as they have previously pulled off victories against tough opponents. The Cowboys’ offense, though ranked lower, has enough firepower to keep the game close, especially against a Houston defense that has allowed 88 points this season. With the home advantage and a favorable spread, the Cowboys present a strong case to cover.
In conclusion, given Oklahoma State’s historical performance at home and their ability to cover as underdogs, betting on them at +14.5 seems like a prudent choice. Expect the Cowboys to put up a fight in front of their home crowd, potentially closing the gap significantly against the favored Houston Cougars.
- Oklahoma State vs Houston Prediction: Oklahoma State +14.5
- Oklahoma State vs Houston Score: Houston 27 – Oklahoma State 21
