Oregon State Beavers vs Houston Cougars Prediction, 9/5/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Oregon State Beavers vs Houston Cougars

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Location: TDECU Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cougars (-20.5)

Total/Over-Under: 50.5

TDECU Stadium is where the Houston Cougars (10-3 last season) will try to defeat the Oregon State Beavers (2-10 last year) on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Oregon State opens this game as 20.5-point dogs. The betting total is set at 50.5.

The Oregon State Beavers wrapped up their year having earned a 2-10 record. In their last matchup, the Beavers played the Washington State Cougars and took a loss by a score of 32-8. In all, they had 70 plays which totaled 280 yds. The Oregon State Beavers ran the rock 29 different times and had 40 yds, which is an average of 1.4 yards per attempt. On the ground, the Beavers conceded 186 yards on 34 attempts, which averages out to 5.5 yds per run allowed. Oregon State relinquished 17 completions on 28 tries for 197 yards, and a completion rate of 60.7%.

The Beavers earned 4,198 total yards over the course of last season. Oregon State compiled 14 touchdowns via the pass and 16 rushing touchdowns. They gave the ball to the opposition 20 times. Oregon State amassed 244 1st downs as a team, and they were hurt by 71 penalties for 599 yds. As a unit they had an average of 123.9 yards rushing, which was 107th in the country. When talking about scoring points, the Oregon State Beavers averaged 18.2 PPG.

The Beavers were ranked 98th in D-1 when it comes to team defense, giving up 29.4 points per contest. They allowed an average of 4.6 yards per attempt on the ground and 157.4 rushing yards per contest last year. During the campaign, they conceded 1,889 rushing yards through 12 games. Regarding passing yardage, the Beavers gave up 2,669 yds which had them ranked 53rd in the country. Over the course of their 12 games played last season, they conceded 222.4 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 56.9%. They gave up 379.8 yards/game ranking them 75th in D-1. They allowed 22 touchdowns through the air and 17 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Cougars wrapped up their season holding a 10-3 record. For their last game, the Cougars walked away with a victory by a final of 38-35 when they faced the LSU Tigers. The Cougars finished with a total of 437 yards while they ran 82 plays (5.3 yards per play). Houston ran the ball for 4.4 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 201 yards on 46 carries. Houston conceded 24 attempts on the ground for 77 yards (3.2 yards per rush). The Cougars secondary allowed a completion percentage of 61.5%, relinquishing 267 yds on 16 for 26 through the air.

The Houston Cougars averaged 394.5 yards per outing, which had them ranked 61st in the nation. The Houston offense accrued 521 yards of penalties on 60 infractions, which ranked them 119th in college football in terms of helping out the other team. They had an average of 178.1 yards per game via the ground game and toted the ball for 2,315 yards overall. They threw 10 picks while surrendering 4 fumbles and they tallied 287 first downs. When discussing the points being put on the board, the Cougars had a ranking of 55th in college football averaging 29.1 points per contest. Last year, the Cougars racked up 2,813 yards through the air as well as an average of 216.4 passing yards per game, which had them sitting 84th in college football.

The Cougars gave up 22.8 points per game, which had them sitting 48th in the nation. Houston surrendered a total of 1,677 yards via the ground game (129.0 yards per outing) in addition to 17 touchdowns rushing last year. They conceded 16 touchdowns through the air in addition to 218.8 yards per game, which had them ranked 66th in college football. The Cougars defense was on the field for 855 plays, which had them sitting 78th in the country. Their defense had 7 fumbles recovered and 12 picks over the course of last season. In total, they gave up 296 total points.

Who will win tonight's Beavers/Cougars college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Beavers +20.5

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