For just the third time in the last 10 years, the Houston Football program was ranked in the Associated Press (AP) Preseason Poll at #23 in the country.
Houston was ranked #24 in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll two weeks ago and is ranked in the Preseason AP Poll for the first time since 2022 with its highest ranking since 2016.
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The Cougars are coming off a 10-win season in 2025 which concluded with a Texas Bowl win over LSU.
Houston returns its starting quarterback, Conner Weigman, and his favorite wide receiver threat, Preseason All-Big America selection Amare Thomas, who will look to continue to build on their connection again this season. On defense, three starting defensive backs return with Jordan Allen, Will James and Kentrell Webb primed to hold down the secondary.
Fourteen different Cougars have earned preseason accolades with Weigman being named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, Thomas being named a Preseason All-American, and Allen and James earning preseason all-conference accolades.
The Cougars are one of four Big 12 Conference teams that earned a preseason ranking by the media. Arizona, TCU and Oklahoma State also earned votes.
Since the Preseason AP Poll debuted in 1950, Houston has been ranked in 13 preseason polls (2026, 2022, 2016, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1980, 1979, 1977, 1974, 1973, 1970, 1969).