FBS-CFB Game Preview: Houston Cougars (3-0) vs. Oregon State Beavers (0-4)

0
49

Venue & Game Details

Matchup: Houston Cougars vs. Oregon State Beavers

Venue: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon

Capacity: ~43,000

Broadcast: ESPN

Weather Forecast (Corvallis, OR)

Kickoff Temperature: ~64°F (18°C)

Conditions: Partly cloudy, cool evening

Wind: 6–9 mph from the northwest

Precipitation: ~10% chance of light showers

Impact: Mild Pacific Northwest conditions, no major weather disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Houston Cougars:

QB Conner Weigman – healthy, 569 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs.

RB Dean Connors – healthy, 271 yards, 3 TDs.

WR Stephon Johnson Jr. – healthy, 191 yards, 1 TD.

No major injuries reported entering Week 5.

Oregon State Beavers:

QB Maalik Murphy – healthy, 964 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs.

RB Anthony Hankerson – healthy, 228 yards, 2 TDs.

WR Trent Walker – healthy, 302 yards, 0 TDs.

LB Jordan Crook – questionable (shoulder).

Key Player Matchups

Conner Weigman (UH QB) vs. OSU Secondary

Weigman has been efficient with no turnovers.

Oregon State’s pass defense ranks 127th nationally (284.5 ypg allowed).

Maalik Murphy (OSU QB) vs. Houston Pass Rush

Murphy has struggled with accuracy (57.3% completions, 5 INTs).

Houston’s defense ranks 9th nationally in passing yards allowed (120 ypg).

Dean Connors (UH RB) vs. Beavers Run Defense

Connors averaging 5.4 ypc.

Oregon State allowing 180 rushing ypg (114th in FBS).

Trent Walker (OSU WR) vs. Cougars Secondary

Walker is OSU’s top target but has yet to score.

Houston’s DBs Latrell McCutchin Sr. and Kentrell Webb will be tested.

Recent Team Form

Houston Cougars (3–0)

W 36–20 vs. Colorado (Week 3)

W 42–21 vs. Abilene Christian (Week 2)

W 35–24 vs. SMU (Week 1)

Strengths: Top-15 defense (224 ypg allowed), +6 turnover margin.

Weaknesses: Passing game inconsistent (187.3 ypg, 100th in FBS).

Oregon State Beavers (0–4)

L 7–41 vs. Oregon (Week 4)

L 20–27 vs. Fresno State (Week 3)

L 17–28 vs. California (Week 2)

L 14–35 @ Mississippi State (Week 1)

Strengths: Passing attack (249.3 ypg, 51st in FBS).

Weaknesses: Defense allowing 464.5 ypg (129th in FBS), -4 turnover margin.

Conference vs. Conference

Both teams are Big 12 members (Houston joined in 2023, Oregon State in 2024).

This is a conference matchup with bowl eligibility stakes.

Series History

All-time series: Houston leads 2–1.

Last meeting: Houston won 24–17 in 1972.

Trend: First meeting in over 50 years.

Betting Trends

Houston Cougars:

3–0 ATS in 2025.

4–1 ATS in last 5 road games.

2 of 3 games have gone Over.

Oregon State Beavers:

1–3 ATS in 2025.

2–5 ATS in last 7 home games.

3 of 4 games have gone Under.

Historical Betting Results

No modern betting history between these programs (last meeting pre-modern lines).

Houston has covered in all 3 games this season.

Oregon State has failed to cover in 3 of 4 games this season.

Game Odds

Houston Cougars                             – 13.5

Oregon State Beavers                    48

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 25, 2025