Houston vs Oregon State Odds, Picks & Betting Trends

Oregon State Beavers vs Houston Cougars September 26th 2025

In Week 5 of the 2025 college football season, the Houston Cougars will travel to Corvallis, OR, to take on the Oregon State Beavers. The game will be held at Reser Stadium, an outdoor field, and is scheduled for Friday, September 26, at 10:30 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN.

The Cougars enter the game with a perfect 3-0 record this season, including a 1-0 mark on the road. They are part of the Big 12 Conference. Meanwhile, the Beavers are looking for their first win of the season, holding a 0-4 record. Oregon State plays in the Pac-12 Conference and has yet to win at home this year with a 0-2 home record.

Houston vs Oregon State CFB Key Information

Sport: College Football
Teams: Houston Cougars vs. Oregon State Beavers
Venue: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Houston Moneyline: -523
Oregon State Moneyline: +389
Houston Spread: -13.5 (-109)
Oregon State Spread: +13.5 (-111)
Total Over: 47.0 (-110)
Total Under: 47.0 (-110)

Houston Can Win If…

The Houston Cougars are coming off a strong performance against the Colorado Buffaloes, winning 36-20. Quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 222 yards, leading the team without any interceptions. The Cougars’ defense was solid, forcing two interceptions and recovering two fumbles, which helped secure the win.

Houston’s defense ranks high this season, allowing only 29 points, which places them 8th in the nation. Their ability to sack the quarterback is notable, with 8 sacks placing them 10th. The Cougars also rank 6th in interceptions, showing their strong defensive play.

On offense, running back Dean Connors leads the team with 271 rushing yards over three games. The Cougars’ rushing attack is ranked 63rd, with 611 yards this season. Kicker Ethan Sanchez has been reliable, making 7 field goals and 11 extra points, contributing to the team’s success.

Oregon State Can Win If…

In their most recent game, the Oregon State Beavers faced a tough opponent in the Oregon Ducks. They lost 41-7 at Autzen Stadium. Despite the loss, quarterback Maalik Murphy showed promise with 964 passing yards over the season, ranking 34th nationally.

The Beavers have a strong passing game, ranked 40th in the nation with 997 passing yards this season. Maalik Murphy is a key player, leading the team with six passing touchdowns. The Beavers’ offense can capitalize on their passing strength to secure a win.

Oregon State’s defense has been effective in creating turnovers with three interceptions, ranking 4th nationally. Their ability to disrupt the opposing team’s offense can be a game-changer. Playing at home in Reser Stadium gives them an added advantage, as they look to bounce back and secure a win.

Latest Betting Trends

Houston is 3-0 against the spread this season, covering each game by an average of 11.5 points.
The Cougars have forced six turnovers while committing none, a key factor in their betting consistency.
Oregon State has failed to cover in three of its four games, struggling against both conference and nonconference opponents.
The Beavers have been outscored by 93 points through four contests, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring defense.
The total has gone under in two of Houston’s three games, reflecting their balanced approach on both sides of the ball.
Oregon State games have gone over in three of four matchups, largely due to defensive breakdowns and turnovers.

The Lean

For the spread pick, take Houston to cover the -13.5 spread. Houston has been strong against the spread lately, going 4-0 in their last four games as favorites. With their solid defensive stats, including being ranked 8th in points against, they are likely to limit Oregon State’s scoring opportunities. My model projects a score of Houston 31, Oregon State 14.

For the over/under, consider taking the under on the total of 47.0. Both teams have shown defensive capabilities, with Houston allowing only 29 points this season and Oregon State struggling offensively with just 63 points scored. The projected total score is 45, suggesting the game will stay under the line.

Houston Targets Milestone Start

The Houston Cougars are on the verge of a milestone, looking to start 4-0 for the first time since 2016 when they visit Oregon State on Friday night in Corvallis. Houston has dominated early, outscoring its first three opponents 98-29 while avoiding turnovers altogether.

Second-year coach Willie Fritz has made ball security a central theme, a focus that has translated to six forced turnovers on defense. The Cougars’ ability to win the turnover battle has been key in establishing their early-season identity. For more insight into teams’ performance this season, visit the NCAAF team pages

Quarterback Conner Weigman has provided balance with both his arm and legs, throwing for 569 yards and four touchdowns while adding three rushing scores. In Houston’s last outing, a 36-20 win over Colorado, Weigman recorded a season-high 222 passing yards.

Fritz Looks to Overcome Bye Week Challenges

The Cougars are coming off a bye week, a situation that troubled them last season. Houston suffered poor results following breaks in 2023, losing 42-14 at Kansas and 27-3 at Arizona. Fritz emphasized that this year’s team put in the necessary work during the layoff to stay sharp.

With Houston’s early-season dominance, bettors are keeping a close eye on the latest college football odds to see if the Cougars can maintain their strong run.

Oregon State’s Struggles Mount

For Oregon State, the season has unraveled quickly. The Beavers are 0-4 for the first time since 2011 and now risk their first 0-5 start since 1996. They have been outscored 156-63 and have dropped their last two contests by margins of 31 and 34 points.

Last week’s 41-7 defeat to Oregon highlighted the gap between the Beavers and top-tier competition. Outgained 585-147, Oregon State struggled in every phase of the game. Quarterback Maalik Murphy has flashed with 964 passing yards and six touchdowns, but his five interceptions have stalled drives and shifted momentum.

To explore more game breakdowns like this matchup, check out the NCAAF previews

Key Injuries and Depth Concerns

Compounding Oregon State’s issues, coach Trent Bray announced that safety Tyrice Ivy Jr. will miss the rest of the season with an injury suffered in the opener against Cal. Losing an experienced defensive leader only adds pressure to a unit already allowing big plays.

Despite the adversity, Bray insists that winning is the only goal, dismissing the notion of moral victories. Whether that confidence translates to improved performance remains to be seen. For bettors and fans evaluating this game, expert breakdowns can be found in the college football picks section

Historical Matchup

This will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, with Houston holding a 2-1 edge. Their most recent clash came back in 1970 at the Astrodome, where the Cougars edged Oregon State 19-16.

With Houston trending upward and Oregon State facing early-season turmoil, history favors the Cougars. Bettors looking to back or fade the momentum can explore available options through buy picks and track performance on the best handicappers leaderboard

Oregon State Beavers vs Houston Cougars Picks and Predictions September 26th 2025