Houston ranked #23 in 2026 Preseason AP Top 25

For the first time as members of the Big 12 Conference, the Houston Cougars enter a season with a number beside their name.

Houston checked in at No. 23 in the preseason AP Top 25. It’s the program’s first preseason ranking since starting No. 24 in 2022 and highest preseason ranking since 2016, when it opened at No. 15. This marks the Cougars’ third preseason AP Top 25 appearance of the 21st century and 13th in program history.

The Cougars are the fourth highest-ranked team in the Big 12, sitting behind No. 12 Texas Tech, No. 14 BYU, and No. 21 Utah. These were the top four Big 12 teams ranked in the final 2025 AP Poll, and they remain in the same order. Houston is the fifth-highest ranked team in the state of Texas, following No. 5 Texas, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 12 Texas Tech, and No. 19 SMU.

The reigning Texas Bowl champions return 12 primary starters from last year’s 10-3 finish, highlighted by starting quarterback Conner Weigman and All-Big 12 selections Amare Thomas and Will James. In addition to strong roster retention, the Cougars landed notable transfers additions including running back Makhi Hughes and guard Shadre Hurst, both of whom were two-time First Team All-American Conference honorees at Tulane.

Houston opens its 2026 campaign at home against Oregon State, a matchup which featured a thrilling overtime finish in 2025. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT on ESPN, and a number will be adjacent to Houston’s name for that contest.

Here is the full 2026 preseason AP Top 25: