The Texas Bowl will feature the Houston Cougars entering a showdown against the LSU Tigers on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

The Cougars are slight favorites (-1.5) in their game versus the Tigers, with the over/under at 42 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Cougars are -114 and the Tigers are -105.)

Keep reading for our betting primer for this this contest between the Cougars and the Tigers, and uncover all of our expert picks here, too!

Houston vs. LSU betting lines

• Spread favorite: Cougars (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Cougars (-114), Tigers (-105)
• Total: 42 points
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo

Houston vs. LSU betting info and stats

Houston has eight wins against the spread through 12 opportunities so far this season (8-4-0). Houston has covered the spread five times in games it was favored by at least 1.5 points (a 5-2 ATS record). Houston has won six of its seven games played as the moneyline favorite this season. LSU has four wins against the spread this season (4-8-0). When LSU is the underdog by 1.5 or more points, it has covered the spread two times (2-4 ATS). LSU is the moneyline underdog for the seventh time this year and is 1-5 in that role.

Houston vs. LSU recent stats and trends

Houston Cougars

• Houston has covered the spread twice in its past three contests while putting up a 2-1 record straight-up in those games.
• The final combined score of the past three Houston games went over the set total one time.
• The last three Houston games averaged 53.5 total points, 11.5 more points than this matchup’s over/under.

LSU Tigers

• LSU has covered the spread once in its past three contests while putting together a 2-1 record straight-up in those games.
• In all of those games, the final combined score fell short of the set total.
• LSU’s last three outings have ended with an average of 48.5 points scored. That’s 6.5 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Houston vs. LSU key players

Houston Cougars

• Conner Weigman has been a dual threat for Houston so far this season. He has 2,475 passing yards, completing 63.9% of his passes and collecting 21 touchdown passes and nine interceptions this season. He’s rushed for 647 yards (53.9 ypg) on 157 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns.
• Dean Connors has carried the ball 184 times for a team-high 851 yards on the ground and has found the end zone five times. He’s also tacked on 31 catches for 242 yards (20.2 per game) and three touchdowns in the pass game.
• Amare Thomas’ 906 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 90 times and has registered 59 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
• Tanner Koziol has hauled in 65 receptions totaling 651 yards, finding the end zone five times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Stephon Johnson Jr. has been the target of 25 passes and compiled 13 catches for 275 yards, an average of 45.8 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone two times through the air this season.
• Eddie Walls III has 5.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has 5.0 TFL and 39 tackles.
• Jalen Garner is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s collected 51 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and two sacks.
• Will James has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with 21 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and three passes defended.

LSU Tigers

• Garrett Nussmeier leads LSU with 1,925 yards on 194-of-288 passing with 12 touchdowns compared to five interceptions this season.
• Caden Durham is his team’s leading rusher with 106 carries for 505 yards, or 45.9 per game. He’s found the end zone three times on the ground, as well.
• Harlem Berry has racked up 101 carries and totaled 446 yards with two touchdowns.
• Barion Brown’s 495 receiving yards (41.3 yards per game) lead the team. He has 52 catches on 80 targets with one touchdown.
• Zavion Thomas has caught 40 passes and compiled 473 receiving yards (39.4 per game) with four touchdowns.
• Aaron Anderson has racked up 398 reciving yards (44.2 ypg) this season.
• Harold Perkins has racked up 4.0 sacks to lead the team, while also picking up 4.0 TFL, 40 tackles, and three interceptions.
• West Weeks is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s amassed 60 tackles, 6.0 TFL, and 2.5 sacks.
• Perkins leads the team with three interceptions, while also collecting 40 tackles, 4.0 TFL, four sacks, and three passes defended.