There’s a buzz in the air with college football back in action – it’s Week 1, baby! The Saturday slate is where the real fun begins with just about every program in the nation across the day.
The Houston Cougars are fresh off a 10-win season and are looking to repeat that success once again as they seek to step things up in their third year in the Big 12. To start their campaign, they’re hosing the Oregon State Beavers, who aren’t exactly poised for big things but should be plenty content to be competing in a revived Pac-12.
Here’s a preview, prediction and pick for Oregon State vs. Houston to open Week 1 of the 2026 college football season.
Oregon State vs. Houston prediction, preview
Last year was real ugly for Oregon State. The program won just two games all season and split the two outings against lone Pac-12 holdout Washington State 1-1. As a result, Trent Bray was fired midseason and JaMarcus Sheppard got the nod as the next head coach. The latter comes over from Alabama and was on staff for the Washington team that went to a national title game, so he’s seen what it takes to make a program successful.
He’ll have his work cut out for him this year after hitting the portal fairly hard. The bones of a solid offense are here – transfer quarterback Braden Atkinson comes over from FCS squad Mercer having thrown for 3,611 yards and 34 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last season, but he hasn’t faced this level of competition before. His top wideout may be Noland Xayvion, who hails from UTRGV and was quite good in the FCS as well, though he’ll face a similar adjustment period in the FBS. Tight end Eric Olsen caught 51 balls for 566 yards with Utah Tech, but the theme of FCS recruiting continues with him. This is unproven talent heading into a contest against a Big 12 contender, after all. There’s more continuity on the defensive side of things, but this is also a unit that gave up 30.9 PPG last year. It’ll take plenty of work to iron it out.
For Houston, there’s far more stability. The Cougars have Willie Fritz at the helm of the ship after helping turn this program around since his arrival. It took a year, but he helped build this group up into a very competitive squad in 2025 that should remain so moving forward.
Houston only lost a pair of starters to the portal and brought in few of others from elsewhere in the Power 4. Connor Weigman is back under center after throwing for 2,705 yards and 25 touchdowns last year, also rushing for 700 and another 11 scores. The dual-threat quarterback leads an offense that should remain formidable – transfer Makhi Hughes has multiple seasons of 1,000+ rushing yards and Amare Thomas is back at wideout after racking up 966 yards and 12 scores last year. Plus, Trent Walker and Patrick Overmyer are quality pass-catchers acquired through the portal. Now, the defense is notably less impressive after a rough 2025, having lost quite a few all-conference selections. However, that won’t be a problem against Oregon State.
Oregon State vs. Houston pick, best bet
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Houston enters as a 21-point favorite as a -1800 Moneyline favorite. Oregon State is a +1000 underdog outright. The game total sits at 50.5 combined points between these teams.
There’s hope for the Beavers moving forward with some solid incoming talent and a new head coach, but this isn’t a game in which they’re likely to show it. The discrepancy between Big 12 talent and their own should prove glaring in this matchup, especially since Oregon State hit the portal for so many FCS transfers at key positions. Meanwhile, Houston retained much of an offense that truly stood out last year and loaded up with high performers at the skill positions. I’ll be targeting an alt spread for a blowout.
Best Bet: Houston -20.5 (-118)
For easy access to tail CFB picks, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
