Houston Cougars Ranked #23: A Playoff Path Emerges
For the first time since 2021, and a significant milestone in coach Willie Fritz’s inaugural season, the Houston Cougars have cracked the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings at No. 23. This notable achievement comes after a strong 8-2 overall record and a 5-2 stance in Big 12 play, but the question on every Cougar fan’s mind is clear: What’s the realistic path to the College Football Playoff field?
A Resurgent Season for the Cougars
The Houston Cougars’ entry into the Week 12 CFP rankings marks a major step forward for the program. Following their bye week, a conference shakeup – specifically Arizona’s upset win over then-No. 25 Cincinnati – created the opening Houston needed. This, combined with their thrilling 30-27 comeback victory against UCF in Week 11, allowed the Cougars to rebound from a disappointing 45-35 upset loss to West Virginia the week prior.
This 2025 season under coach Willie Fritz has brought renewed excitement, with the team showcasing resilience and a promising top-four standing in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference.
The Steep Road to the Big 12 Championship
Despite their No. 23 ranking, Houston’s Week 10 loss to West Virginia looms large, complicating their journey to a Big 12 Championship berth. To even secure a spot in the conference title game, the Cougars need a complex series of events to unfold in their favor over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Key Scenarios for a Title Game Spot:
- Houston Must Win Out: The Cougars, currently with two conference losses, must secure victories in their remaining regular season games. This includes their Senior Day home finale against TCU on Saturday, November 22nd, and their regular season closer against former Southwest Conference rival Baylor in Waco on November 29th.
- BYU Must Stumble: No. 11 BYU, currently second in the Big 12 standings, needs to lose both of its remaining matchups: against Cincinnati in Week 13 and against 14th-place UCF in Week 14.
- Cincinnati’s Crucial Loss: Cincinnati must suffer another defeat, specifically to TCU on the road in Week 14.
- Additional Losses Required: Both No. 12 Utah and No. 25 Arizona State must lose at least one of their remaining games.
If these scenarios align, a 10-2 Houston team would clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship game on December 6th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, facing off against No. 5 Texas Tech, who currently holds first place in the conference.
Big 12 Title: The Gateway to the CFP
Should the Cougars navigate these intricate scenarios and reach the Big 12 Championship game, their path to the College Football Playoff would become much clearer. Avenging their Week 6 loss to Texas Tech and winning their first-ever Big 12 title (and first conference championship since 2015) would be a monumental achievement. A conference championship victory would significantly bolster Houston’s resume and dramatically increase their chances of clinching a coveted top-12 spot in the expanded CFP field.
Big 12 Championship Race: Key Players for Houston
| Team | Week 12 CFP Rank | Big 12 Standing (Implied) | Houston’s Path Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Cougars | No. 23 | Top-four stance | Win out, get significant help |
| BYU | No. 11 | Second | Must lose out |
| Texas Tech | No. 5 | First | Potential Big 12 Championship opponent |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Houston Cougars’ current College Football Playoff ranking?
The Houston Cougars are ranked No. 23 in the Week 12 College Football Playoff selection committee rankings. - Who is the current head coach for the Houston Cougars football team?
Willie Fritz is the head coach, and this is his first season with the Cougars. - When was the last time the Houston Cougars were ranked in the CFP?
This is the first time the Cougars have been ranked in the CFP since 2021. - What is the biggest challenge for Houston to reach the Big 12 Championship?
The Cougars’ Week 10 upset loss to West Virginia created a difficult path, requiring them to win out and depend on multiple other teams losing their games. - Who are the Houston Cougars playing in their next game?
The Cougars will host TCU for their senior day home finale on Saturday, November 22nd.
For Houston fans, the next two weeks will be a nail-biting experience, filled with intense games and scoreboard watching, as the Cougars fight for an improbable, yet tangible, chance at a Big 12 title and a potential CFP bid.
Houston Cougars Ranked Twenty Three Playoff Path Opens
