Houston and Texas Tech squared off in last year’s season opener at NRG Stadium — home of the Houston Texans. While the Cougars possessed an early 21-7 lead, disaster repeatedly struck in the second half. Houston tossed four picks to the Red Raiders, causing Texas Tech to score 31 unanswered in a 38-21 victory. The trajectory of the teams changed following that matchup, as Houston won its next 11 games and finished the season ranked No. 17, while the Red Raiders fired head coach Matt Wells in October.
While Houston’s players seek vengeance in Lubbock, TX, their head coach Dana Holgorsen doesn’t see a carbon copy of last year’s team.