Houston Cougars rise to No. 20 in AP Poll after victory over Georgia Southern

The Houston Cougars defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles 42-28 in their final non-conference matchup. Despite a defensive performance that allowed four touchdowns and over 350 yards, Houston’s offense executed six consecutive touchdown drives, leading to the Cougars rising five spots to No. 20 in the Week 4 AP Poll. This marks Houston’s highest ranking since the 2021 season.

Following the loss, Georgia Southern prepares to begin Sun Belt Conference play against Coastal Carolina. Head coach Clay Helton noted that while the team has faced a challenging non-conference schedule, recent offensive improvements—including better third-down conversion rates—provide a foundation for the conference season. The Eagles must also manage roster changes, as wide receiver Ashton Hollins is sidelined for the season due to shoulder surgery, increasing the roles of players like Alex Taylor.