Texas Revealed As Heavy Favorites Over Houston

The Texas Longhorns had a bye week to recuperate following their loss to Oklahoma

When it comes to a bye week, timing is everything.

For most teams, they love to have it midway through the season to get people healthy before the second half, and the best way to go into one off of a victory. However, for the No. 8 Texas Longhorns, they went into the off-week following a disappointing and heartbreaking loss to their biggest rival No. 12 Oklahoma who has since ascended to No. 6 in the rankings.

Texas could have a chance to avenge that loss if they meet up in the Big 12 Championship but they have to worry about their next six games before they can reach that point. Up first on the docket for the second half of the season is Houston (3-3).

The Longhorns will hit the road and play their in-state foe who joined the Big 12 this season. According to SI Sportsbook, the Longhorns are 22.5-point favorites.

Houston Cougars QB Donovan Smith drops back to pass / © Troy Taormina, USA TODAY

While Texas was idle this past week, Houston won in a thriller against West Virginia which as we all know is the team that Dana Holgerson coached prior to making the jump to Houston. The Cougars won via a last-second Hail Mary thrown 49 yards by Texas Tech transfer Donovan Smith. 

The win handed West Virginia their first conference loss and also gave the Cougars their first win in Big 12 play. 

Texas is looking to bounce back from their loss, while also sending what is expected to be a sellout crowd home with a bitter taste in their mouth.