LSU vs. Houston Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Kinder's Texas Bowl
The Houston Cougars will take on the LSU Tigers in the Kinder's Texas Bowl on Saturday night in what amounts to a home game for Willie Fritz's program. Jack Borovitz analyzes this LSU vs. Houston transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Saturday, December 27th in the Texas Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 27, 2025, 4:00 PM EST
5 Minute ReadLSU vs. Houston Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Kinder's Texas Bowl on Saturday, December 27th
The Kinder's Texas Bowl brings a program in transition against a program on the rise. Houston sits as a -1.5 favorite. The Cougars play 10 miles from campus at NRG Stadium with a near-complete roster, while the Tigers limp into Houston without six of their best defensive players. One team finished strong under a coach building momentum, the other plays its final game under an interim staff before Lane Kiffin takes over in 2026.
LSU enters carrying championship expectations that collapsed into a disappointing 7-5 finish. QB Garrett Nussmeier opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft, leaving Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren to make his fourth straight start. Van Buren went 2-1 in his three games, posting wins over Arkansas and Western Kentucky before a loss at Oklahoma. He offers mobility that Nussmeier lacked, but the ceiling as a passer remains uncertain. Defensively, the Tigers lost their entire impact core. CB Mansoor Delane, S AJ Haulcy, LB Harold Perkins, DE Jack Pyburn, and linebackers Whit and West Weeks all opted out. What was the 17th-ranked defense in EPA per play is now a patchwork unit giving younger players auditions for 2026.
Houston has offensive balance and defensive continuity that LSU can't match. QB Conner Weigman announced he will return in 2026, giving him motivation to finish strong. He's historically 2-0 against LSU while he was playing at Texas A&M, including a 38-23 upset over the No. 6 Tigers in 2022. Coach Willie Fritz raised the win total from 4-8 in Year One to 9-3 this season and said earlier this week that "we've got everybody playing in the bowl game." The Cougars scored at least 30 points in five of their final seven games and racked up 400-plus total yards in three of their last four.
Looking for advanced AI predictions and props to enhance your CFB betting? Try out oddschecker+ now on this limited time 7-day free trial!
LSU vs. Houston Date, Time, and Where to Watch Kinder's Texas Bowl
- Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
- Time: 9:15 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
LSU vs. Houston State Odds
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
LSU +1.5 (-115) | Houston -1.5 (-105) |
LSU ML (-110) | Houston ML (-110) |
Over 41.5 Total Points | Under 41.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest LSU vs. Houston Odds
LSU vs. Houston Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
LSU Transfer Portal
- DT Ahmad Breaux (274 snaps; will still play in bowl)
- OL Carius Curne (305 snaps; will still play in bowl)
LSU Opt-Outs
- QB Garrett Nussmeier
- CB Mansoor Delane (potential first-round pick)
- S AJ Haulcy
- DE Jack Pyburn
- LB Harold Perkins
- LB Whit Weeks
- LB West Weeks
- OG Josh Thompson
- WR Aaron Anderson (241 snaps)
LSU Potential Opt-Outs
- DE Patrick Payton (on depth chart)
- WR Zavion Thomas (on depth chart)
- WR Chris Hilton (on depth chart; will play)
- WR Barion Brown (on depth chart)
LSU Injuries
- C Braelin Moore (missed finale; should play)
- WR Nic Anderson (last played in Week 11; 222 snaps)
Quarterback Michael Van Buren will make his fourth straight start. The projected starting offensive line is Tyree Adams, Coen Echols, Braelin Moore, Paul Mubenga, and Weston Davis.
Houston Opt Outs
Starting center Demetrius Hunter left the program on Dec. 8 and is no longer on the roster.
Houston Potential Opt-Outs
- RB Dean Connors
- TE Tanner Koziol (accepted Senior Bowl invite)
- DE Eddie Walls
QB Conner Weigman announced he will return to Houston in 2026 for his final season of eligibility.
Houston Injuries
- DT Khalil Laufau (missed finale; 649 snaps)
- WR Stephon Johnson (last played in Week 7)
LSU vs. Houston Odds Breakdown - Kinder's Texas Bowl
LSU lost the spine of a defense that held opponents to 18.3 points per game. Mansoor Delane and AJ Haulcy anchored a secondary ranked third nationally in pass efficiency defense. Harold Perkins, Whit Weeks, and West Weeks formed a linebacker corps that controlled the middle of the field. Jack Pyburn led the pass rush. All opted out. The Tigers will roll out younger players auditioning for spots in Lane Kiffin's 2026 system, but against Houston's balanced attack, inexperience will show. The Cougars averaged 28.9 points and 390.9 yards per game, posting 400-plus total yards in three of their last four contests.
Houston QB Conner Weigman completed 204 of 319 passes for 2,475 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He's mobile, accounting for additional production on the ground, and has shown comfort against LSU's defense in the past. RB Dean Connors leads the team with 1,093 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, averaging 17.9 touches per game. TE Tanner Koziol accepted a Senior Bowl invite but his status remains unclear. If both play, Houston has the offensive weapons to exploit LSU's depleted defensive depth.
LSU QB Michael Van Buren posted a 7.4 yards per attempt average at Mississippi State but has managed just 5.9 with the Tigers. The offensive line has struggled with pass protection all season, ranking last in the SEC in rushing yards. Receiver depth took hits with Nic Anderson missing since Week 11 and Aaron Anderson opting out. The Tigers haven't scored more than 25 points against an FBS opponent all season. Houston's defense allowed 21.8 points per game and ranked 36th in EPA per play, though the strength of schedule (72nd per ESPN FPI) suggests those numbers may be inflated.
LSU vs. Houston Best Bet
- Pick: Houston -1.5 (-105) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Houston has the roster advantage and the motivation edge playing a de facto home game against a depleted SEC opponent. Fritz built momentum with a nine-win season and gets his best offensive weapons healthy. LSU's defensive absences create mismatches the Cougars can exploit, and the Tigers' offense ranked 112th nationally in total yardage all season. Weigman knows how to beat LSU, Fritz knows how to cover spreads, and laying less than a field goal with the more complete team is the right side.
More College Football Odds
Affiliate Disclosure.
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
