Houston Cougars at Kansas State Wildcats

Injuries noted

Houston Cougars: Jaden Yates (out) — Linebacker and tackles co-leader; October 7 reporting ruled him out against Kansas State after an apparent leg injury against UCF.; John Hebert (out for season) — Running back; October 7 reporting establishes a season-ending left leg injury suffered while covering a kickoff against UCF.; Muizz Tounkara (out) — Wide receiver; October 7 reporting ruled him out after aggravating a left foot injury during Tuesday's practice.; Bryson Castile (out) — Linebacker; ruled out against Kansas State in October 7 reporting. The condition was not specified.; RJ Lee (questionable) — Offensive lineman; listed as questionable in the October 7 availability report described by the Houston Chronicle. A later primary-source designation could not be verified.; Jacory Thurman (questionable) — Tight end; listed as questionable in the October 7 availability report described by the Houston Chronicle. A later primary-source designation could not be verified.; JD Rhym (probable) — Defensive back; listed as probable in October 7 reporting. This dated designation is not a verified final game-day status.; Ejiro Egodogbare (probable) — Defensive lineman; listed as probable in October 7 reporting. This dated designation is not a verified final game-day status.

Kansas State Wildcats: Will Anciaux (out for season) — The October 9 Collegian article reiterates the coach-announced season-ending absence of the tight end. A complete current conference availability list could not be retrieved; other players' statuses remain unverified.

QUARTERBACK

• Avery Johnson is KSU's confirmed starter

  6.81 Y/A

  Avery Johnson is KSU's confirmed starting quarterback. Kansas State's October 9 preview explicitly states that Johnson will make his 31st career start against Houston on October 10. 2026 line: 899 passing yards, 65.9% completions, 6.81 yards per attempt, 7-2 TD-INT over 4 games.

• Conner Weigman is HOU's projected starter

  8.78 Y/A

  Conner Weigman is HOU's projected starting quarterback. Houston's October 6 game preview discusses Weigman and describes a victory at Kansas State as another career win for him as a starter. Kansas State's October 9 preview also identifies him as Houston's quarterback for this matchup; neither provides an explicit starting-lineup announcement. 2026 line: 1185 passing yards, 67.4% completions, 8.78 yards per attempt, 11-1 TD-INT over 5 games.

TRENCHES

• HOU: 64.8 rushing yards allowed per game to KSU's 139.8

  75 YPG

  Houston allows 64.8 rushing yards a game over five games, and Kansas State allows 139.8 over four. Houston's run defense has been strong, which shifts how a Houston defense that gives up yards through the air looks. Kansas State may find more running room than Houston does. Houston's run defense is the reason to expect Kansas State to throw more.

COVERAGE

• KSU: 106.3 passing yards allowed per game to HOU's 256.4

  150.1 YPG

  Kansas State allows 106.3 passing yards a game over four games, a very low number. Houston allows 256.4 through five. Four games is a short run, and low passing totals can come from facing run-heavy teams, which the sheet doesn't rule out. Houston's pass defense is the clear soft spot in this game. Houston's passing game would be testing a number that hasn't faced much pressure yet.

REPLACEMENT

• Will Anciaux (TE) is out for the season for KSU

  OUT FOR SEASON

  The October 9 Collegian article reiterates the coach-announced season-ending absence of the tight end. A complete current conference availability list could not be retrieved; other players' statuses remain unverified. Injury problem? Call Linkon Cure. (2026-10-09)

• John Hebert (RB) is out for the season for HOU

  OUT FOR SEASON

  Running back; October 7 reporting establishes a season-ending left leg injury suffered while covering a kickoff against UCF. UH tackles leader Jaden Yates ruled out for Cougars' game at Kansas State (2026-10-07)

• Bryson Castile (LB) is out for HOU

  OUT

  Linebacker; ruled out against Kansas State in October 7 reporting. The condition was not specified. UH tackles leader Jaden Yates ruled out for Cougars' game at Kansas State (2026-10-07)

• Jaden Yates (LB) is out for HOU

  OUT

  Linebacker and tackles co-leader; October 7 reporting ruled him out against Kansas State after an apparent leg injury against UCF. UH tackles leader Jaden Yates ruled out for Cougars' game at Kansas State (2026-10-07)

• Muizz Tounkara (WR) is out for HOU

  OUT

  Wide receiver; October 7 reporting ruled him out after aggravating a left foot injury during Tuesday's practice. UH tackles leader Jaden Yates ruled out for Cougars' game at Kansas State (2026-10-07)

SITUATIONAL

• KSU has 7 more days of rest

  7d vs 14d

  HOU comes in on a standard seven days, and KSU gets to host after a bye with fourteen days of rest. The extra week usually goes to getting healthy and installing wrinkles a normal week can't fit. That edge sits with the home side here, so check whether the number already prices in KSU's fresher legs.

TEAM RECORD

• Big 12 game: HOU 1-1, KSU 0-1 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big 12. HOU is 1-1 against it, KSU is 0-1. 2026 standings through 2026-10-10.