LSU, Houston Set for Texas Showdown in Regular-Season Finale HOUSTON (Interstat) — The LSU Tigers and Houston Cougars will close their regular seasons with a nonconference clash Saturday at NRG Stadium, a matchup pitting a surging Houston squad against an LSU team seeking to end a late-season slide. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CST kickoff on Dec. 27, 2025. Houston (9-3) enters with momentum, having won four of its last five games, including a 31-24 road victory over Baylor last Saturday. Quarterback Conner Weigman powered that win, accounting for three total touchdowns while rushing for 121 yards. The Cougars’ balanced offense, featuring running backs DJ Butler and Dean Connors, averages 29.8 points per game. LSU (7-5) arrives looking to halt a two-game skid after a 17-13 loss at Oklahoma. The Tigers’ offense has struggled, failing to surpass 25 points in any of its five losses. Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. and running back Caden Durham will be central to reigniting a unit that managed just 13 points against the Sooners. Despite the records, LSU is a narrow 2.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, with an over/under set at 41.5 points. National Statistical’s game simulator projects a tight 28-26 LSU victory. The Tigers hold a 4-1 series advantage, but the programs have not met since 1995. This game serves as a final tune-up before both teams await their bowl destinations. “We have to finish,“ LSU coach Brian Kelly said this week. “Our execution in critical moments hasn’t been there. This is our last opportunity to correct that before the postseason.“ Houston coach Willie Fritz emphasized the value of the challenge. “Playing an SEC team with LSU’s talent at the end of the year is exactly what we need,“ Fritz said. “It’s a great measuring stick for our program.“ The game will be televised on ESPN.