Houston vs Southern Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 2 on 9/12/2026

The Houston Cougars, ranked #23 in the AP Poll, are set to host the Southern Jaguars at TDECU Stadium in Houston, TX. This Week 2 game will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM, and will be broadcasted on ESPN+. The Cougars are coming off a 33-20 victory over Oregon State Beavers in their season opener.

Southern Jaguars enter this game with a 0-1 record for the season, having suffered a significant loss to Fresno State Bulldogs last year with a score of 56-7. Southern's challenges on the road were evident as they only secured 7 first downs and managed just 12 rushing yards in that game. As they face the Cougars, they aim to improve upon these numbers against a strong Houston squad.

Houston, competing in the Big 12, started their season strong with a home win and demonstrated a balanced offensive attack, recording 305 passing yards and 231 rushing yards against Oregon State. They look to maintain this momentum and capitalize on their home-field advantage against the Jaguars. With significant odds in their favor, the Cougars are poised to continue their winning ways in front of their home crowd.

Houston vs Southern At a Glance

• Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM
• Location: TDECU Stadium in Houston, TX
• TV Coverage: ESPN+
• Houston Cougars' Current Record: 1-0
• Southern Jaguars' Last Season Record: 0-1
• Game Odds: Houston favored with a moneyline of -50000

Houston Cougars Aim for Victory in Upcoming Home Game

Offensive Prowess

The Houston Cougars are entering this game with a strong offensive record. In the 2026 regular season opener against Oregon State, they scored 33 points, maintaining their average points for at 33, which ranks them 35th in the nation.

Quarterback Conner Weigman showcased his arm strength with 305 passing yards, securing the Cougars a 43rd national rank in passing yards. The running game, led by Makhi Hughes, added another dimension with 231 rushing yards, placing them 42nd overall.

Defensive Stalwarts

Defensively, Houston's performance has been notable, allowing only 20 points against Oregon State. This impressive effort positions them 16th nationally in points against, indicating a strong defensive front.

The Cougars have a formidable pass rush, recording 4 sacks in the season opener, ranking them 4th nationally. However, they have yet to secure an interception or fumble recovery, something they'll look to improve in the upcoming game.

Key Players to Watch

Conner Weigman, the starting quarterback, is a pivotal player for the Cougars. His 305 passing yards and a touchdown in the first game set the tone for what fans hope will be a successful season.

Running back Makhi Hughes leads the ground attack, racking up 98 rushing yards and a touchdown against Oregon State. Wide receiver Amare Thomas also made an impact with 133 receiving yards and a touchdown, making him a crucial target in the passing game.

Injury Concerns

Houston has a few players on the injury list that could impact their lineup. Wide receivers Stephon Johnson and Muizz Tounkara are questionable, with Tounkara dealing with a foot injury.

Tight end Luke McGary and defensive back Myles Rowser are also uncertain to play due to undisclosed injuries. Their availability will be crucial in the Cougars' preparation for the upcoming game.

Upcoming Game Details

The Cougars are set to play the Southern Jaguars on September 12, 2026, at TDECU Stadium. As 50.5-point favorites, Houston will look to leverage their home-field advantage and continue their winning momentum.

With a total of 60.5 points set for the game, fans can expect a high-scoring affair. The Cougars will aim to assert their dominance early and improve upon their 1-0 record.

Houston Top Betting Trends

• O/U - As Favorite: Last 6 Games (2025–2026) → 6-0 (100.0%)
• SU - Away Games: Last 6 Games (2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
• SU - As Favorite: Last 29 Games (2021–2026) → 22-7 (75.9%)
• ATS - Away Games: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
• SU - After Loss: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)

The Southern Jaguars: A Deep Dive into Their Season Challenges

Offensive Struggles

The Southern Jaguars have faced significant challenges on offense during the 2025 season. Scoring only 7 points in their last regular-season game, they rank 136th nationally. Their passing game has been underwhelming, with only 131 passing yards, placing them 186th in the rankings.

Rushing yards have been even more elusive for the Jaguars, with just 12 yards on the ground, ranking 203rd. The lack of first downs, only achieving 7, highlights the team's difficulty in sustaining drives, placing them at 116th nationally.

Defensive Overview

On the defensive side, the Jaguars have allowed 56 points, ranking 20th in points against. They have managed to secure only 1 sack, placing them 38th. Despite this, their ability to recover fumbles is a bright spot, with 1 recovery ranking them 14th.

However, the Jaguars have struggled to create turnovers through interceptions, with zero recorded, placing them last in the rankings. This lack of turnovers limits their opportunities to shift momentum during games.

Key Players to Watch

Quarterback Ashton Strother has had a rough start, completing 14 passing attempts for 127 yards without touchdowns or interceptions. Running back Trey Holly leads the rushing attack with 11 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, wide receiver Malachi Jackson has been a target, securing 2 receptions for 55 yards.

Kicker Nathan Zimmer has managed to score 1 extra point but is yet to make a field goal. These players are crucial for any potential turnaround for the team in future games.

Recent Game Recap

The Jaguars' recent 56-7 loss to Fresno State highlights their struggles. They managed only 7 first downs compared to Fresno State's 31. Passing and rushing yards were significantly lower than their opponents, further emphasizing their need for improvement.

Southern Top Betting Trends

• O/U - All Games: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - Away Games: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
• SU - All Games: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• ATS - All Games: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• ATS - As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - Away Games: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• ATS - Away Games: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• ATS - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)

Houston vs Southern Prediction: Over 60.5

The Houston Cougars are entering this contest with a strong offensive showing in their previous game, putting up 33 points against Oregon State. As the 23rd-ranked team, Houston's offensive capabilities are expected to outperform Southern's defense, which allowed 56 points in their last game. Given Houston's tendency to score high, the possibility of a high-scoring outcome is significant.

On the other hand, Southern has struggled defensively, as evident from their recent loss to Fresno State, where they conceded 56 points. With Houston being a 50.5-point favorite, they are poised to exploit Southern's defensive weaknesses. This further supports the case for a high-scoring game.

Both teams have shown trends leaning towards high-scoring outcomes, with Southern's last three games hitting the over. Meanwhile, Houston's games as favorites have also frequently gone over, supporting a similar trend. Given these tendencies, the over on the set total appears to be the favorable pick.

With Houston's offensive proficiency and Southern's defensive struggles, a final score of Houston 48 - Southern 14 aligns with the over 60.5 prediction. Houston's offensive firepower should comfortably push the game total over the mark.

• Houston vs Southern Prediction: Over 60.5
• Houston vs Southern Score: Houston 48 - Southern 14

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