HOUSTON — The Houston Cougars will kick off the 2026 season on one of college football's biggest stages, the program announced, with the Cougars set to open against Oregon State on ESPN following College GameDay on Sept. 5.

The 11 a.m. kickoff gives Houston a prime-time feel in the morning slot, paired with the sport's marquee pregame show setting the table. It's the kind of exposure the program hasn't seen in a while.

Houston hasn't opened a season on ESPN since facing Texas Tech in 2021, and the last time the Cougars landed an 11 a.m. ESPN/ABC Week 1 window, they knocked off third-ranked Oklahoma at NRG Stadium — one of the signature wins in program history.

The Cougars will stay home the following week, hosting Southern on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. The matchup is just the third all-time between the two schools and the first since 2013.

Houston then hits the road for its Big 12 opener, traveling to Lubbock to face Texas Tech on Sept. 18. That game, announced earlier this month, is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff on FOX.

Three games in, and the Cougars already have ESPN, ESPN+ and FOX on the résumé. The rest of the schedule's kickoff times and broadcast assignments will be released on a rolling basis, most coming six to 12 days before game day.