Venue & Kickoff
Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas
Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT)
Broadcast: ESPN2
Context: Houston is fighting for a Big 12 bowl slot with momentum, while Baylor must win to reach bowl eligibility.
Weather
Forecast: ~62°F at kickoff, humidity ~70%, winds ~6 mph,
Conditions: Mild and favorable for both passing and rushing attacks. No major weather disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Houston Cougars:
QB Donovan Smith – Probable (minor shoulder soreness)
RB Parker Jenkins – Questionable (ankle)
WR Matthew Golden – Probable (hamstring)
LB Malik Fleming – Out (season-ending knee injury)
Baylor Bears:
QB Sawyer Robertson – Probable (concussion protocol cleared)
RB Richard Reese – Questionable (ankle)
WR Monaray Baldwin – Probable (shoulder)
LB Matt Jones – Out (season-ending arm injury)
Team Recent Form
Houston Cougars:
Recent form: Won 3 of last 4, most recent win 31-24 vs Texas Tech
Offense: 29.9 PPG, 412 YPG (balanced attack)
Defense: 23.8 PPG allowed, 348 YPG allowed
Baylor Bears:
Recent form: Lost 3 of last 4, most recent loss 27-20 vs Kansas State
Offense: 25.1 PPG, 389 YPG
Defense: 31.6 PPG allowed, 412 YPG allowed
Player Matchups
Quarterbacks:
Houston: Donovan Smith – 2,745 yds, 22 TD, 9 INT; 412 rush yds, 6 TD
Baylor: Sawyer Robertson – 2,112 yds, 15 TD, 10 INT
Running Backs:
Houston: Parker Jenkins – 812 yds, 9 TD
Baylor: Richard Reese – 712 yds, 7 TD
Receivers:
Houston: Matthew Golden – 52 rec, 712 yds, 6 TD
Baylor: Monaray Baldwin – 48 rec, 689 yds, 5 TD
Defensive Stars:
Houston: DE Nelson Ceaser – 9 sacks, 14 TFL
Baylor: DL Gabe Hall – 6 sacks, 10 TFL
Series History
All-time: Baylor leads 79–32–1
Current streak: Baylor has won 3 of last 5
Last meeting: Houston 31–28 in Houston (2024)
Betting Trends
Houston: 7-4 ATS overall, 4-2 ATS on road
Baylor: 4-7 ATS overall, 2-5 ATS as underdog
Totals: Houston unders in 7 of 11 games; Baylor overs in 6 of 11
Summary: Houston enters as the favorite with bowl momentum, while Baylor fights for eligibility. Expect Houston’s defense and Donovan Smith’s leadership to be decisive.
Game Odds
Houston Cougars 58.5
Baylor Bears – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, November 27, 2025
