The No. 23 Houston Cougars host the Oregon State Beavers in Week 1 of the college football season Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN, which you can stream free on DIRECTV.
Where to watch Oregon State vs. Houston for free
Tonight’s matchup: Oregon State Beavers (2-10 in 2025) vs. No. 23 Houston Cougars (10-3 in 2025)
When: Saturday, Sep. 5, 12 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Stream: DIRECTV (free trial), FuboTV (free trial)
FuboTV (free trial) and DIRECTV (free trial) both offer ESPN for virtually the same price. Fubo’s “Pro” package costs $88.99, while DIRECTV’s “Entertainment” package is $89.99. Both options offer a free trial and money off the first month of subscription. Your free trial will start once you create an account.
Why today’s game matters
Houston opens the 2026 season with growing expectations when it hosts Oregon State on Saturday at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars are coming off a 10-3 campaign that ended with a bowl win over LSU and enter the year ranked No. 23, with many viewing them as a contender in the Big 12.
Oregon State begins a new era under first-year head coach JaMarcus Shephard after a difficult 2-10 season in 2025. The Beavers have undergone significant roster changes and will look to show improvement after averaging 18.2 points per game last season.
These teams met last year, with Houston rallying from a 24-10 deficit to earn a 27-24 overtime victory. The rematch offers an early opportunity for Oregon State to gauge its progress, while Houston will look to validate the preseason hype surrounding a veteran roster.
Players to watch
ORST: Quarterback Braden Atkinson won Oregon State’s quarterback competition and will be tasked with jump-starting a rebuilt offense in his first game with the Beavers. The sophomore transfer threw for 3,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season with Mercer.
HOU: Quarterback Conner Weigman returns after throwing for 2,705 yards last season and is one of the biggest reasons Houston is viewed as a Big 12 contender entering 2026.