Houston: 2025 Week 16 recap

Houston sits at 40th in the model's rankings with a 7.4 rating after a 10–3 season that included a road win over Baylor in Week 14. That 31–24 victory kept the Cougars' postseason hopes alive in a competitive Big 12 landscape. The model has them solidly in the middle tier of the conference—capable enough to compete in bowl season but facing the reality that their remaining schedule will determine whether they climb or settle. With the regular season winding down, Houston's next steps will hinge on execution in high-leverage games; GIE's current assessment reflects a team that's proven it can win on the road but hasn't yet separated itself from the pack.