“We play seven Texas schools, no other conference has that and it’s a really cool thing,” Holgerson said. “There’s connections everywhere with this conference, with the coaches, with the players, everything. It’s going to be an exciting time and all of the dudes can’t wait for it.”
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The Big 12 announced its 2023 football schedule on Tuesday, in what will be the University of Houston’s inaugural season in the conference.
The Cougars first year in the Big 12 will feature visits to TDECU Stadium from TCU and the University of Texas, while Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and West Virginia will round out the home schedule. As the Cougars will look to make a statement as they join the Big 12, which has been a goal for the school since they were left out when the Southwest Conference disbanded.
“It’s going to be challenging and we have a lot of work to do,” said University of Houston head coach Dana Holgerson. “I’ve been saying this for about a year, but we’re at a point with our guys in the building and this team where we are talking about the Big 12 because that’s who we have to compete against. There’s a level of play you have to reach and way things have to look like and we’re working to get there. It’s awesome to be a part of, but obviously it’s going to be a challenge. We’re all excited to get to work.”
The Cougars home and Big 12 Conference opener will be a very tough matchup, as they take on national championship finalist TCU on Sept. 16, in what will be the first time TCU will play the Cougars in Houston since 2003.
The Longhorns will also travel to Houston, in what will be the two teams first matchup since 2002, and Houston will be in search of their first win over the University of Texas since 1991.
On the road, Houston will visit Texas Tech, Kansas State, Baylor and UCF.
Kansas State comes off a year in which it won the Big 12 Championship over TCU and made an appearance in the Sugar Bowl.
“Being here is huge for us,” Holgerson said. “Before we would pitch to recruits and they would really like it here and in Houston, but at the end of the day the best recruits want to play in the power five. Now we have that in our back pocket too, and you can see that when we’re recruiting now. Guys want to play against the best and it gives us a chance to close the deal in the end.”
Houston will open the season by playing UTSA at home on Sept. 2 before facing city rival Rice in the Bayou Bucket at Rice Stadium on Sept. 9, before beginning conference play.
Of the Cougars 12 opponents, 10 will be teams that went to a bowl game last season. The Cougars will also play 10 games in the state of Texas this season, their most since 1990.
“We play seven Texas schools, no other conference has that and it’s a really cool thing,” Holgerson said. “There’s connections everywhere with this conference, with the coaches, with the players, everything. It’s going to be an exciting time and all of the dudes can’t wait for it.”
Following is the full Houston Cougars 2023 Football Schedule
Houston vs. UTSA, Sept. 2
Houston at Rice, Sept. 9
Houston vs. TCU, Sept. 16*
Houston vs. Sam Houston, Sept. 23
Houston at Texas Tech, Sept. 30*
Houston vs. West Virginia, Oct. 12*
Houston vs. Texas, Oct. 21*
Houston at Kansas St., Oct. 28*
Houston at Baylor, Nov. 4*
Houston vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 11*
Houston vs. Oklahoma St., Nov. 18*
Houston at UCF, Nov. 25*