Key players return after the bye
Conner Weigman and Patrick Overmyer returned to full practice after getting hurt against Utah. Jaden Yates is also back following absences caused by a leg injury.
College Football team briefing / WagerBird research desk
Houston Cougars
The matchup. The market. The case for your next move.
Results, schedule and game-day research ·
Season record6–2Lost last game
Against the spread2–4At the closing number
Last 5 games
WWWWL
Oldest to newest →Next matchup
Bearcats at Cougars
Tonightvs Bearcats2:30 PM CT 3:30 PM ET
Cougars −11Total 61.5Cougars ML −392Kalshi Cougars 79¢ at 7:52 AM CT Sat 11/7Lines at 7:00 AM CT
Inside the game-day briefing
6Reported player statuses44Projected starters
Read the research and matchup notes Tonight’s Cougars pick
Bearcats at Cougars
Sat Nov 7 · 2:30 PM CT · 3:30 PM ET · released and locked
65
Signal strength
3.5 units
Signal strength 65, released before kickoff with its price locked.
65
Tonight’s pick is locked.Game pick · price locked at release
6–4
on Cougars games this season
60.0%
win rate, 10 graded picks
Every Cougars pick we have graded is listed below, wins and losses.
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Game-day research
Bearcats at Cougars preview: what our research says
Houston returns from its bye at 6-2 and ranked No. 17. The Cougars are 4-0 at home and 2-2 on the road. Their last appearance ended in a 13-21 loss at Utah. That followed a 35-32 home win over Oklahoma State. Houston had led Utah during the second half before losing.
Willie Fritz is in his third season as head coach. Makhi Hughes and Re'Shaun Sanford II share the backfield workload, with DJ Butler also on the depth chart. Houston averages 203.5 rushing yards per game. Conner Weigman remains the projected starting quarterback. Amare Thomas, Koby Young and Trent Walker form the projected receiver group, with Patrick Overmyer at tight end.
The bye brought several availability updates. Weigman and Overmyer resumed full practice after getting hurt against Utah. Linebacker Jaden Yates returned from a leg injury. De'Marion Thomas, JD Rhym, Tyson Turner and Keany Parks are probable on the November 6 report. Their injury details were not disclosed.
Houston has scored 49 points after takeaways this season. Cincinnati visits at 2:30 PM CT. The visitors are 4-3, with center Taran Tyo and linebacker Simeon Coleman questionable. Backup center Grant Edgington is ruled out. The listed starters are depth-chart projections, not confirmed game-day selections.
Season at time of writing
Houston is 6-2 and ranked No. 17, with a 4-0 home record and a 2-2 road record. The Cougars average 203.5 rushing yards per game and have scored 49 points following takeaways. They return from a bye after a 13-21 loss at Utah.
The news
Shared workload powers the running game
Makhi Hughes and Re'Shaun Sanford II share the main rushing workload, with DJ Butler also listed behind Hughes. Houston averages 203.5 rushing yards per game.
Receiving production comes from several targets
Patrick Overmyer has 39 catches for 432 yards and 7 touchdown receptions. Amare Thomas leads Houston with 41 receptions for 620 yards, while Koby Young supplies a downfield target and Trent Walker contributes on third down.
Takeaways continue to produce points
Houston has turned takeaways into 49 points this season. The defense has forced a turnover in eight straight conference games.
Injuries
Injury report as of : De'Marion Thomas, JD Rhym, Tyson Turner and Keany Parks are probable; Conner Weigman, Patrick Overmyer and Jaden Yates are available. For the Bearcats, Simeon Coleman and Taran Tyo are questionable; Montay Weedon, Grant Edgington, Devyn Zahursky and DaMari Witherspoon are out; Elijah Gunn is available.
Cougars
- None listed
Bearcats
- Montay WeedonIssue not disclosed; out today, with no return date given.Out
- Grant EdgingtonIssue not disclosed; out today, with no return date given.Out
- Devyn ZahurskyIssue not disclosed; out today, with no return date given.Out
- DaMari WitherspoonIssue not disclosed; out today, with no return date given.Out
- Simeon ColemanIssue not disclosed; game status remains unresolved in the latest available report.Questionable
- Taran TyoIssue not disclosed; game status remains unresolved in the latest available report.Questionable
The matchup
Cougars projected starters
- Conner WeigmanQB
- Makhi HughesRB
- Koby Young (WR-X)
- Trent Walker (WR-Z)
- Amare ThomasSLOT
- Patrick OvermyerTE
- Alvin EboseleLT
- Shadre HurstLG
- Anthony BoswellC
- McKenzie AgnelloRG
- Drew TerrillRT
- Ashton PorterDE
- De'Marion ThomasNT
- Khalil LaufauDT
- Brandon Mack IIJACK
- Jaden YatesWLB
- Sione FotuMLB
- Will JamesLCB
- Jordan AllenSS
- Kentrell WebbFS
- Jalen MayoRCB
- Javion WhiteNB
Bearcats projected starters
- JC French IVQB
- Gi'Bran PayneRB
- JV Gibson (WR-X)
- Malachi Henry (WR-Z)
- Isaiah JohnsonSLOT
- Gavin GroverTE
- Joe CottonLT
- Evan TengesdahlLG
- Taran TyoC
- Xavier LozowickiRG
- Judea MilonRT
- Drew LoganDE
- Josh HoughNT
- Marquaze ParkerDT
- Brian Simms IIIDOG
- Jonathan ThompsonWLB
- Damaine WilsonMLB
- Antwan Peek Jr.CAT
- Kenny WorthyLCB
- MJ CannonSS
- Jasper BeelerFS
- Jacob FinleyRCB
Updated How we grade
Written by the WagerBird research team from our own results, line captures and graded picks. Updated . How we grade →
Bearcats at Cougars odds and prediction markets
Sportsbook prices at 7:53 AM CTPrices as of : the Cougars are −10.5 at five sportsbooks and the total is 60.5–61.5.
WagerBird earns a commission when you sign up through a sportsbook link on this page. That does not change the prices shown or which one is marked best. Offers are for new customers in states where each sportsbook is licensed; terms apply at the sportsbook.
Prediction markets
Prices at 7:52 AM CT Sat 11/7Kalshi and Polymarket on Bearcats at Cougars
Cougars to win costs 79¢ on Kalshi, against −410 at the best sportsbook (DraftKings). A Yes price in cents is the market’s chance in percent; Kalshi’s trading fee is extra.
| Market | Kalshi | Polymarket | Best sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars to win | 79¢79% chance | 80¢80% chance | −410DraftKings |
| Bearcats to win | 24¢24% chance | 23¢23% chance | +330FanDuel |
| Over 61.5 total points | 51¢51% chance | 50¢50% chance | o61.5 −106Caesars |
Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Spread | Money line | Total | Sign up | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars | Bearcats | Cougars | Bearcats | Over | Under | ||
| FanDuel | −10.5−114 | +10.5−106 | −430 | +330 | o60.5−118 | u60.5−104 | Sign up |
| DraftKingsClaim the DraftKings new-customer offer | −10.5−110 | +10.5−110 | −410 | +320 | o61.5−108 | u61.5−112 | Sign up |
| BetMGMNJ MI PA WV: Bet $10 Get $150. All other states: $1500 Back in Bonus Bets if You Don't Win Code WAGERBIRD1 | −10.5−110 | +10.5−108 | −425 | +320 | o61.5−108 | u61.5−110 | Sign up |
| CaesarsBet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost Code WBIRD1DYW | −10.5−112 | +10.5−112 | −420 | +330 | o61.5−106 | u61.5−114 | Sign up |
| FanaticsNew Customers Get Up To $1,000 Matched In FanCash | −10.5−110 | +10.5−110 | −417 | +325 | o61−105 | u61−115 | Sign up |
BestGreen is the best price at the same line among these five sportsbooks. Prices as of 7:53 AM CT; they move until the start, and each sportsbook shows its live price before you confirm.
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Line movement
vs Cincinnati BearcatsSat Nov 7 · 2:30 PM CT · 3:30 PM ET
Lines as of : the Cougars spread is −11, where it opened; the total is 61.5 (opened 62.5).
Cougars spread−11−11No move
Total62.561.5−1
Cougars team total36.536.5No move
Cougars money line−448−392+56
Open, then now.
Results and against the spread
6–2 · 2–4 ATSRecord
6–2
Against the spread
2–4
Form, last 5
WWWWL
Last game
L 13-21at Utes
| Date | Game | Result | Spread | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10/24 | at Utah Utes | L 13-21 | +6.5 | Missed |
| Sat 10/17 | vs Oklahoma State Cowboys | W 35-32 | −3.5 | Missed |
| Sat 10/10 | at Kansas State Wildcats | W 35-16 | +2.5 | Covered |
| Sat 10/3 | vs UCF Knights | W 27-17 | −11.5 | Missed |
| Sat 9/26 | at Georgia Southern Eagles | W 42-28 | −17 | Missed |
Spread is the Cougars’ closing number. ATS is against the spread at the closing number.
Schedule
at BuffaloesFri 11/13 · 9:15 PM CT10:15 PM ET
at MountaineersFri 11/20 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
vs BearsFri 11/27 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
Our Cougars picks, graded
Wins and losses6–4 on Cougars games this season · 60.0%
- 58Full Game Game Total: Under 56.5 +100Sat 10/24win
- 63Full Game Spread: Houston Cougars +6.5 −105Sat 10/24loss+0.5 pts
- 50Full Game Game Total: Under 58.5 −108Sat 10/17loss
- 62Full Game Money Line: Houston Cougars +120Sat 10/10win
- 60Full Game Spread: Houston Cougars -11.5 −121Sat 10/3loss
- 76Full Game Spread: Houston Cougars -18.5 −108Sat 9/26loss
- 60Full Game Team Total: Houston Cougars Over 21.5 −103Fri 9/18win
- 80Full Game Spread: Houston Cougars +7.5 −105Fri 9/18win
- 61Full Game Spread: Oregon State Beavers +20.5 −101Sat 9/5win
- 85Full Game Team Total: Oregon State Beavers Over 15.5 +104Sat 9/5win
The orange number is Signal strength. CLV compares our price with the closing price at the same sportsbook; shown when it is in our favor. How we grade
Cougars questions, answered
Is there a Cougars pick for this matchup?
Yes. Our Cougars pick for Bearcats at Cougars was released before kickoff at Signal strength 65. Unlock it in the Terminal.
What is the Cougars' record this season?
The Houston Cougars are 6-2: 4-0 at home and 2-2 on the road.
When do the Cougars play next?
The Cougars host the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, November 7 at 2:30 PM CT (3:30 PM ET).
Who is on the Cougars injury report?
The Cougars list De'Marion Thomas (Probable), JD Rhym (Probable), Tyson Turner (Probable), Keany Parks (Probable), Conner Weigman (Available), Patrick Overmyer (Available), Jaden Yates (Available).
What matters for the Cougars against the Bearcats?
No. 17 Houston hosts 4-3 Cincinnati at 2:30 PM CT after a bye. Houston's latest available report, dated November 6, lists De'Marion Thomas, JD Rhym, Tyson Turner and Keany Parks as probable; Conner Weigman and Patrick Overmyer have returned to full practice. Cincinnati lists Simeon Coleman and Taran Tyo as questionable, with Montay Weedon, Grant Edgington, Devyn Zahursky and DaMari Witherspoon out.
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