Texas Football vs. Houston: Staff predictions for Horns in Week 8

The first matchup after the bye week for head coach Steve Sarkisian and No. 8 Texas football comes on the road on Oct. 21 at TDECU Stadium against head coach Dana Holgorsen and the Houston Cougars. This will be the only matchup between Texas and Houston as Big 12 foes before UT leaves for the SEC in 2024.

Texas comes into this contest against Houston on the road as sizable 23.5-point favorites (per Ceasars Sportsbook). Sark and the Longhorns have a big opportunity to get back to their winning ways this weekend after suffering a tough last-minute 34-30 loss to the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas on Oct. 7.

The loss to OU in Red River moved Texas’ record on the season to 5-1 (2-1 Big 12). But the Longhorns still control their destiny in the Big 12 heading into the second half of the regular season.

Houston comes into this contest against Texas with momentum and energy after a stunning last-second win on a Hail’Mary against the West Virginia Mountaineers at home last week. The Cougars boast a record of 3-3 (1-2 Big 12) after getting the last-second 41-39 win over West Virginia on Oct. 13.

According to the ESPN matchup predictor, Texas has a 93.6 percent chance of beating Houston in Week 8.

Parker Fleming from CFB Graphs predicts Texas to top Houston by a score of 43-19. And the CFB Graphs advanced stats preview gives the Longhorns a 94.6 percent probability of beating Houston.

Here’s a look at the Hook’em Headlines staff predictions as No. 8 Texas takes on Houston on the road at TDECU Stadium on Oct. 21, with the kickoff time set for 3 p.m. CT.

Game predictions for No. 8 Texas football vs. Houston in Week 8

Shane Black: Texas-41, Houston-20

I think Texas comes out rejuvenated off the bye. I’m slightly worried about Houston’s speed and think they’ll beat the secondary over the top a few times, but I believe the defense will dominate in the trenches. Expect the Texas offense to not receive much resistance.

Tarik LaCour: Texas-45, Houston-21

Andrew Miller: Texas-48, Houston-24

Texas has too much firepower on offense to be slowed by this struggling Houston defense, which ranks last in the Big 12 in total yards allowed per game and points allowed. Houston’s weapons on offense could make things interesting early, but Texas can make the necessary adjustments on defense to pull away for good early in the second half.

Brian Sweet: Texas-35, Houston-17