The Houston Cougars (0-0) face an FCS opponent, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (0-0), on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at TDECU Stadium.

The ‘Jacks are expected to lose by at least two TDs (currently +23.5) versus the Cougars (with an over/under of 54.5 points).

Below you can find our preview for this this matchup between the Cougars and the ‘Jacks, and find all of our predictions here, too!

Houston vs. Stephen F. Austin betting lines

• Spread favorite: Cougars (-23.5)
• Moneyline: Cougars (-2857), ‘Jacks (+1246)
• Total: 54.5 points

Houston vs. Stephen F. Austin betting info and stats

• Houston beat the spread six times in 12 games last season.
• Two Houston games (out of the 12 it played) went over the point total last year.
• Stephen F. Austin posted a 7-4-0 record against the spread last season.
• Out of 11 Stephen F. Austin games last season, three hit the over.

Houston vs. Stephen F. Austin key players

Houston Cougars

• Donovan Smith had a passing stat line last season of 867 yards with a 65.4% completion rate (87-for-133), four touchdowns, eight interceptions, and an average of 108.4 yards per game. His rushing stat line was 65 carries for 159 yards and three TDs.
• Last year, Re’Shaun Sanford II ran for 444 yards on 94 attempts (37.0 yards per game) and scored one time. Sanford also collected 18 catches for 157 yards.
• Zeon Chriss churned out 381 yards on 113 carries (31.8 yards per game), with four rushing touchdowns last year.
• In the previous season, Stephon Johnson Jr. grabbed 32 passes (on 50 targets) for 402 yards (36.5 per game). He also found the end zone two times.
• Joseph Manjack IV produced last season, catching 22 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 29.3 receiving yards per game.
• Mekhi Mews hauled in 29 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown, averaging 21.1 yards per game last year.
• Last season Keith Cooper Jr. amassed 3.5 sacks, 7.0 TFL and 41 tackles.
• Last season Michael Batton tallied 85 tackles, 7.0 TFL, three sacks, and one interception.
• Last season Adari Haulcy had a huge stat line of five interceptions, 60 tackles and five passes defended.

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

• Sam Vidlak threw for 2,387 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.
• Qualan Jones averaged 77.9 rushing yards per game and scored eight rushing touchdowns.
• Jaylen Jenkins rushed for 554 yards and three touchdowns last season.
• Kylon Harris was targeted 7.7 times per game and collected 1,039 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over the course of 2024.
• Jordan Nabors averaged 43.7 receiving yards on 2.8 targets per game in 2024, scoring six touchdowns.
• Blaine Green averaged 65.8 receiving yards per game on 4.2 targets per game a season ago.
• Tony Anyanwu proved to be a menacing defender last year, recording 5.0 sacks, 1.0 TFL.
• Jeremiah Walker had an impactful defensive performance last season with six tackles and 1.0 TFL.
• Jaheim Mullen came up with four interceptions in addition to six tackles and 1.0 TFL a year ago.