Dana Holgorsen Says Texas Longhorns Will Be Houston Cougars 'Biggest Challenge This Year'

Houston Cougars coach Dana Holgerson knows exactly what the Texas Longhorns will bring to TDECU Stadium on Saturday.

The Houston Cougars have had a rough go of things in their first season in the Big 12.

Sitting at 3-3, with losses to Rice earlier in the year, and TCU and Texas Tech in conference, the Cougars are now desperate for a Big 12 win. 

Yes, the Cougars did win on a Hail Mary vs. West Virginia on Saturday, but now with the No. 8 Texas Longhorns coming into TDECU Stadium, Houston coach Dana Holgorsen knows that they have another major challenge ahead of them.

"Just a quality opponent coming in," Holgorsen said. "They’re good everywhere. I mean everywhere. They’re good on all three sides. It’s far and away our biggest challenge yet this year.”

Holgorsen isn't wrong either, the Longhorns are among the best teams in the country on both sides of the ball, ranking No. 13 in the nation in total offense, and No. 25 in total defense.

On top of that, however, the Longhorns will now have some extra motivation after their loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Showdown two weeks ago. 

And unfortunately for the Cougars, Texas has had two weeks to get ready for this matchup.

"There’s not enough time in this press conference to explain all the challenges that Texas brings," Holgerson said. "They’re a complete team. They’ve had two weeks coming off a loss to Oklahoma — I could only imagine what their mindset is. They’ve been dominant all season... I’m sure they’re going to be about as motivated as anyone in college football coming into Houston on Saturday afternoon.”

Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) scores a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma Sooners during an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 :: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

Whether or not that two weeks of preparation will make a difference for the Longhorns remains to be seen.

But as for the Cougars, Saturday presents an opportunity that simply cannot be missed.

As it stands right now, the Longhorns are the only ranked team on the Cougars schedule for the remainder of the season.

And given the history between the two programs, on top of the Longhorns' top-10 ranking, it's no surprise that this will be the first sell-out at TDECU Stadium in recent memory.

In other words, the Houston fans want it. 

“They’re good everywhere. They’re big everywhere. They’re talented everywhere. They’re very deep," Holgerson said. "So we’ll be excited about playing this game. We haven’t played them in 20 years and our fanbase is obviously gonna be excited."

"It’s going to be sold out. We haven’t had a sellout here in a long time."

Kickoff between the Longhorns and Cougars is set for 3 p.m. in Houston, with the game set to broadcast on FOX.