The Houston Cougars’ aspirations for a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) and the Big 12 Championship took a significant blow following a 45-35 defeat against the West Virginia Mountaineers on October 21, 2023. This loss, marked by defensive struggles and offensive turnovers, not only handed West Virginia its first notable victory under head coach Rich Rodriguez but also altered the landscape of the Big 12 Conference.
Houston entered the game with momentum after a recent upset victory against Arizona State, positioning themselves as potential contenders for the conference title. Despite trailing behind teams like Cincinnati, BYU, and Texas Tech in the standings, the Cougars were optimistic. With the remaining schedule appearing manageable and crucial matchups among their rivals ahead, they had a clear path to ascend in the rankings.
However, the match against West Virginia proved to be a turning point. The Mountaineers exploited Houston’s defense, rushing for an impressive 246 yards. Compounding the Cougars’ troubles, they committed four turnovers while failing to create any takeaways, a combination that ultimately derailed their hopes for a successful season.
Despite the setback, the Cougars, led by head coach Willie Fritz, still have the potential to achieve a notable season. After enduring back-to-back 4-8 records, the team was not initially viewed as a serious contender in the Big 12. Even with this latest loss, they remain in contention for a possible ten-win season, which would be only the second time in the last decade.
As the season progresses, Houston must regroup quickly. With critical matchups on the horizon, they will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and optimize their offensive strategies to remain competitive in the Big 12 and keep their playoff ambitions alive.
