Sports // College // Houston Cougars

Houston Cougars tabbed for top-3 finish in preseason Big 12 football media poll

By Joseph Duarte , Staff Writer July 13, 2026

Fresh off a 10-win season, UH is picked to finish tied for third in the 16-team Big 12.

Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle

The University of Houston was picked to finish in a tie for third in a Big 12 preseason media football poll released Monday.

The Cougars received 207 points to tie Arizona in the poll conducted by the Tulsa World that includes reporters that cover each of the league's 16 teams.

Defending champion Texas Tech was picked to repeat, receiving 14 first-place votes and 254 points. BYU, which lost to the Red Raiders in last year's championship game, received the other two first-place votes (239 points).

Article continues below this ad

Utah was picked to finish fifth, followed by TCU, Arizona State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Baylor.

This is the highest UH has been picked in the preseason since joining the Big 12 in 2023.

The Big 12 stopped conducting a preseason poll prior to the 2025 season.

Want more Houston Chronicle?

Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search.

Add Preferred Source

The Cougars are coming off a 10-3 season in coach Willie Fritz's second year .

UH/Big 12 Beat Writer

Joseph Duarte covers University of Houston athletics and the Big 12 Conference for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at joseph.duarte@houstonchronicle.com .

A University of Texas at Austin graduate, Joseph joined the Houston Chronicle as part of an internship through the Sports Journalism Institute in 1995 and never left. He previously wrote about the Houston Astros from 1998-2002, Houston Texans from 2002-05 and the Texas Longhorns from 2005-09.

Joseph's work has been recognized nationally by the Associated Press Sports Editors and in 2022 he was named the Celeste Williams Star Sportswriter of the Year by the Texas Association of Managing Editors.

Grocery recalls affecting Walmart, Target and Kroger

CNBC ranked the worst states in which to live. Texas did not fare well.

Blue Bell launches new limited-time flavor for National Ice Cream Month

FDA recall targets 2.5 million steroid eye drop bottles

Why has Gov. Abbott gone quiet on Houston ICE shooting?

UH tabbed for top-3 finish in preseason Big 12 football media poll

This is the highest the Cougars has been picked before a season since joining the Big 12 in 2023.

How Yordan Alvarez’s elite approach is fueling Astros slugger's MVP-caliber year

Yordan Alvarez is putting together the kind of season few Astros hitters have had, pushing him to MVP front-runner status and leaving his teammates in awe.

Sports on TV/radio for July 13

Where to watch and/or listen to today's sporting events that will be televised or broadcast on the radio.

Dash battle back to get road draw against Denver

Linda Ullmark and Kat Rader scored for the Dash as Houston salvaged a draw in Denver.

Astros' loss to Rangers underscores need to address rotation issues in 2nd half

The Astros' inability to get length from their starters lately has put a disproportionate workload on the bullpen and shows the need to address the rotation after the All-Star break.

Rockets' 2025-26 season review: Key questions (and answers)

What's next for UH basketball: Kelvin Sampson's roster makeover and future

The Texans' big question: Is C.J. Stroud worth a big-dollar contract extension?

Why doesn't Houston have an NHL team? It's complicated.