Houston football will host the Oregon State Beavers on Sept. 5 to begin the 2026 season. Both squads are in entirely different situations, with head coach Willie Fritz entering year three with his Cougars on the rise, while Oregon State has an entirely new coaching staff and roster from last year. With a strong veteran core back for the Cougars, the match against Oregon State should be a tune-up game for Houston, and here’s why. Why Oregon State Should Be a Tune-up Game For Houston Dec 27, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Willie Fritz speak with an ESPN sports caster after the win over Louisiana State Tigers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Oregon State football is in a very similar spot as Houston was when Fritz took over for the 2024 season. While the Cougars did see signs of success in their first season, Houston still finished with a 4-8 record , which was the same as the previous year.…