Texas Longhorns vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 10/21/2023

Game Time: 4:00 pm ET, Saturday, October 21, 2023

Venue:  TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Texas -23.5, Houston +23.5; Over/Under:  61.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Texas -23.5, Houston +23.5; Over/Under:  61 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Texas -23.5, Houston +23.5; Over/Under:  61.5 points

Texas Longhorns:  5-1 (2-1) (3rd place, Big 12)

Houston Cougars:  3-3 (1-2) (11th place, Big 12)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Kyle Hunter is on a HOT STREAK in CFB as he is 87-46 his last 133 CFB Plays! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Texas Longhorns:  lost their last game at a neutral site against the Oklahoma Sooners 34-30.

Houston Cougars:  won their last game at home against the West Virginia Mountaineers 41-39.

Texas is entering this game with a 5-1 record overall and they have a 2-1 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 2-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against Oklahoma 34-30. Quinn Ewers was the starting QB and he completed 31/37 passes for 346 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Jonathon Brooks led the team in rushing yards with 129 and 1 TD. Jordan Whittington led the receivers with 115 receiving yards on 10 receptions. Jahdae Barron led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 6 assisted tackles while Anthony Hill Jr. led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.

 

 

 

Houston is entering this game with a 3-3 record overall and they have a 1-2 record in their conference games too. They are 3-1 in their home games, 0-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against West Virginia 41-39. Donovan Smith was the starting QB and he completed 21/27 passes for 253 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Stacy Sneed led the team in rushing yards with 78. Stephon Johnson Jr. led the receivers with 96 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 2 TDs. A.J. Haulcy led the defense in that game with 11 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack in that one. Isaiah Hamilton came away with the only interception for them in that game.

The current betting odds have Texas listed as a 23.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Texas was having a great season as they were ranked as one of the best teams in the country this year but now they are 5-1 overall after losing to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry in their last game. Texas lost a close game but they are still one of the best teams in the Big 12 this season and will be looking to run the table to get a rematch against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship. Texas is also coming out of their bye week so they have an extra week to sit on that loss and they will be looking to bounce back in a big way here. Houston is only 3-3 this season and they have struggled a lot with their 1-2 conference record. They finally got their 1st ever conference win in the Big 12 in their last game against West Virginia but that was also a hard fought win for them and they are going to be due for a let down here. This is a terrible spot for them off that win, especially with Texas looking to bounce back from their loss. The best way to place a bet here is on Texas to cover the spread in this game. 

Texas Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, October 21, 2023 (4:00 pm ET start time) is Texas 49 Houston 17.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Texas Longhorns Houston Cougars prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.

Texas Longhorns: 1-6 ATS in a road game where the total is between 56.5 and 63. 1-6 ATS after gaining 325 or more passing yards in 2 straight games. 22-12 UNDER after a loss by 6 or less points. 5-1 UNDER after gaining 325 or more passing yards in the last game.

Houston Cougars: 17-9 ATS off an upset win over a conference rival as an underdog. 25-9 ATS after allowing 37 points or more in 2 straight games. 13-5 UNDER off 3 or more consecutive overs. 9-5 UNDER after allowing 37 points or more in 2 straight games.

Texas Longhorns:  R. Watts (DB) Ques Sat - Lower Body. J. Majors (OL) Out Sat - Ankle. C. Hutson (OL) Late Oct - Knee. K. Ross (DL) Late Oct - Undisclosed.

Houston Cougars:  M. Golden (WR) Ques Sat - Groin. J. Cobbs (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. C. Nelson (WR) Out indefinitely - Leg. N. Guzman (DB) out for season - Undisclosed. R. Sanford II (RB) out for season - Undisclosed.

“We didn’t play our best football today. Our inability to corral the quarterback … hurt us, especially in the second half. The promising thing is we know we can play better than we did today. And we will.” - Steve Sarkisian after his team’s loss against Oklahoma in their last game. 

“Donovan Smith came alive at the end of the second quarter and had a great drive for a touchdown and then a great second half. The kid is turning into a really good player.” - Dana Holgorsen after his team’s win against WVU in their last game. 

WR Worthy, Xavier 

WR Mitchell, Adonai 

WR Whittington, Jordan 

TE Sanders, Ja'Tavion 

QB Ewers, Quinn 

RB Brooks, Jonathon 

WR Golden, Matthew 

WR Brown, Samuel 

WR Manjack IV, Joseph 

TE Byrnes, Matt  

QB Smith, Donovan 

RB Jenkins, Parker 

Passing: Q. Ewers (1704)

Rushing: J. Brooks (726)

Receiving: X. Worthy (453)

Touchdowns: J. Brooks (7)

Passing: D. Smith (1600)

Rushing: P. Jenkins (242)

Receiving: S. Brown (549)

Touchdowns: M. Golden (4)

Coaches:

Texas Longhorns: Steve Sarkisian (3rd season)

Houston Cougars: Dana Holgorsen (5th season)