The Houston Cougars start week two against the Oklahoma Sooners. It’s been a season of upsets, close games, and dominations so far. The next weekend of college football action is certain to bring even more uncertainty and excitement. For Sooners football, it means locking up with Houston.
Oklahoma Sooners vs Houston Cougars Preview
Oklahoma’s Big Day Out
Last Friday night, the Oklahoma Sooners opened up their football season against the Temple Owls. Starting quarterback Jackson Arnold put on a great, albeit concerning, 141-yard performance and led the team to a big win. Star receiver Jalil Farooq exited the game early due to injury, and veteran center Branson Hickman followed him shortly after. The Sooners’ offense received praise from the legendary Bob Stoops and the defense held strong. Tyler Keltner, kicker for the Sooners, proved his worth with a 51-yard field goal. Bauer Sharp and Deion Burkes were undoubtedly the MVPs of the game for Oklahoma.
Houston’s New Era
In their season opener, Houston fell short against UNLV in a 7-27 effort. Head Coach Willie Fritz, who is coming off an eight-year stint at Tulane, is taking the reins this year. Fritz led Tulane to the top of the American Conference and is hoping to do the same for Houston in the Big 12. He’s inheriting a team with a solid roster, but this loss to UNLV isn’t necessarily the best start.
No Weak Links for Oklahoma
During the Temple game, Bob Stoops, who was on color commentary, insisted that the offense would not be a weak link this year. Head Coach Brent Venables is determined to prove him right, but the former defensive coordinator isn’t forgetting about the defense. Last week’s game showcased a hungry, explosive defensive line and backfield.
Each time Temple quarterback Forrest Brock attempted to scramble to the outside, a Sooners linebacker was there to take him down. Danny Stutsman and Da’jon Terry forced major fumbles on the ground, while Kani Walker and Robert Spears Jennings were there to pick up interceptions in the air. That defense is certain to show up just as ready to go against Houston. The game plan last time was a pressure-focused defense, and we’ll certainly see the same this week.
The offense wasn’t far behind. Although they faltered in the second half, the Sooners were so far ahead that it didn’t really matter. The offensive line adjusted well to compensate for Hickman’s exit, and Sharp stepped up in Farooq’s absence. Arnold is still improving at quarterback, but there’s room to grow before they start conference play against Tennessee.
What Houston Brings to Kickoff
Houston comes into this one undoubtedly the underdog. They might not be the type of team that can beat Oklahoma, but they can make it competitive. This is the same team that went head-to-head with Texas and toppled Baylor in 2023. The Cougars just barely lost their last confrontation with the Sooners in 2019. Despite a losing record last year, they managed to make every single game a close one. There’s no reason to count them out this season.
While most of the offense is brand new, the quarterback is not. Donovan Smith, in his final season, is starting at quarterback for Houston. Like most opposing quarterbacks the Sooners are facing this year, he’s coming in with far more experience than Arnold. Smith is yet to have a season under a thousand passing yards, and last season alone he scored twenty-two touchdowns. Smith achieved nearly five hundred yards on the ground last season as well. A dual-threat quarterback is exactly the type of issue that could expose major gaps in Oklahoma’s defense.
Parker Jenkins comes in as a relatively untested running back. Given that the Cougars prefer an Air Raid style offense, it shouldn’t be surprising that Jenkins only has a five-yard rushing average per carry. The sophomore is backed up by tight-end Jayden York and wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV. Manjack spent time at USC before transferring to Houston and has put up some impressive numbers since then.
The Houston defense is staffed with veteran talents, including a few transfers from Oklahoma. They’re physical and aggressive, yet they always seem to be a step or two behind. The offense makes games competitive, but the Cougars’ defense has cost them more than once. Still, with new defensive coordinator Shiel Wood behind the scenes, this could be the year they turn everything around.
Oklahoma Sooners vs Houston Cougars Prediction
Yet another center for Oklahoma is out for an indeterminate amount of time, and the entire offensive line has had to shuffle around to compensate. At this level of competition, injuries come fast and often, and the consequences are disastrous. Venables, however, has not built a house of cards this season.
The offensive line quickly compensated for Hickman’s departure. Farooq’s injury did little to hamper the Sooners’ air game. Even the third-string running back, Sam Franklin, was able to step up and put decent numbers on the board last week. The defense escaped unscathed last week, but if the worst happens on Saturday they won’t be unprepared to adjust.
Arnold’s ability to clear the pocket and make progress even on broken plays opens up plenty of opportunities for Oklahoma. In the running back position, Gavin Sawchuck and Taylor Tatum are quick, forceful runners who gain ground no matter what. Sharp and Burkes, likewise, are a dual-threat combination coming off the line who kept Temple guessing all game.
In short, the Houston Cougars can make this a very competitive game, but they probably won’t win. The Oklahoma Sooners can enjoy another victory lap around Norman before facing down a true championship-caliber team in Tulane next week. In long, see above.
