Houston, TX, August 17, 2026 —

The Houston Cougars football program has earned a No. 23 ranking in the preseason Associated Press (AP) Poll, signifying their highest position in the poll since 2016. This marks the third occasion in the past decade that the Cougars have been featured in the AP Preseason Poll.

This preseason recognition comes on the heels of a successful 2025 season, during which the team achieved 10 wins. The Cougars will look to build on this momentum with key returning players expected to contribute significantly. Among the notable returning athletes are quarterback Conner Weigman and wide receiver Amare Thomas.

The Associated Press Preseason Poll is a widely recognized indicator of national college football rankings heading into the season. A No. 23 ranking suggests the Cougars are expected to be competitive among the nation’s top college football teams.

Further details regarding the team’s schedule, coaching staff, and specific outlook for the upcoming season were not provided in the summary.



Story summarized from the original created by Randy McIlvoy on www.click2houston.com, see more information here.

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