The Houston Cougars got 2025 off to a good start with a 27-0 thumping over the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks last weekend. Texas A&M transfer quarterback Conner Weigman had a solid debut for the Coogs, going 15-24 for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns. This should be a welcome change for Cougar fans, as Houston was not a great offensive team last season, ranking 133rd in total offense.
This Saturday is the in-town rivalry matchup against the Rice Owls (1-0) for what may be the final Bayou Bucket meeting for awhile. The Cougars have a stranglehold on the rivalry, owning the series 34-12, and are looking to close it out with another win.
A matchup that dates back to the old Southwest Conference in 1971, the teams have kept the matchup going when they could after the Southwest dissolved; when the conference dissipated, Rice went to the old Western Athletic Conference and Houston to Conference USA.
Rice would join C-USA in 2005, bringing them and Houston back together until the American Athletic Conference (now just the American Conference) formed in 2013 —the Coogs were one of the first teams to join. Rice would join the American Conference in 2023, as Houston left for the Big XII.
Both schools agreed to cancel their 2026 and 2027 matchups, leaving the long term future of the Bayou Bucket in the air. Both schools are navigating new conferences and are looking to create new rivalries within them.
Build off Week 1
Coming off a 27-0 win to start this season is a bright light, even if it was against an FCS opponent. The goal for Houston now is to build momentum and roll Rice. Weigman should take steps each game to build up in Willie Fritz’s offense, and he should show more of what he displayed at Texas A&M for three seasons.
Houston’ multi-headed running back attack should get more run against Rice as well. Dean Connors was the Cougars’ leading rusher last week with 50 yards on 15 carries.
Stop the Run
Rice is coming off of a 14-12 win over the University of Louisiana, where they threw for a total of 45 yards but ran for a team total of 239. Quinton Jackson led their charge with 119 yards on 22 carries and a score. Daelen Alexander also piled 74 yards on 15 carries. Rice is leaning heavy on the run and Houston needs to be prepared for it. Houston held SFA to 39 total rushing yards, so they should be at least moderately prepared.
Don’t Look Ahead
While Rice is not a football power by any means, the Cougars cannot ignore this matchup and look ahead to Colorado. That is what happened to the 2023 team and it snapped their sever-game winning streak over Rice, as they lost 43-41 in double overtime.
Rice should be treated like a competent opponent and taken seriously. While Houston will open Big XII play in Week 3, they need to focus on keeping the Bayou Bucket housed on Cullen Boulevard where it belongs.
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