​HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 05: Head coach Willie Fritz of the Houston Cougars looks on during the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at TDECU Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images Game notesTime and date: Saturday, September 26 at 4:00 p.m. ETNetwork: ESPNULocation: Allen E. Paulson Stadium — Statesboro, GASpread: SMU (-18.5)Over/under: 56.5All-time series: No previous meetingsSetting the sceneJust because Houston and Georgia Southern have never met before doesn’t mean there is a lack of connections between the programs.Saturday is homecoming for Houston head coach Willie Fritz. After decades of excelling at the JUCO, Division II, and FCS levels, Georgia Southern provided Fritz his first FBS head coaching opportunity in 2014. That was the same year Georgia Southern rose to FBS status, and Fritz handled the transition with ease. He finished 9-3 in his debut year and prevailed in all eight Sun Belt matchups, before following it up with an 8-4 record in his second and final season.“I know the place well. It’s a phenomenal place, great people. My wife and I really enjoyed our stay in Statesboro, Georgia,” Fritz said. “When we came in there, we were picked last in the conference. We were going from I-AA to Division I in the Sun Belt. I think we were the only team in NCAA history to win the conference in an undefeated manner first year.”While Fritz enjoyed reminiscing on his time at Georgia Southern, his mission for Saturday is clear — get Houston back on track after suffering its first loss since Nov. 21.“It’s a work trip,” Fritz said. “In 10, 15 years I’ll retire and watch a homecoming game, but this is a business trip.”Fritz isn’t the only head coach in this matchup with ties to the opponent. Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton played quarterback at Houston from 1993-94, while his father Kim Helton served the Cougars’ head coach.“Houston is a special place for me and my family,” Helton said. “I first came to Houston when my dad was coaching for the old Houston Oilers. I got to meet my Miss Angela, my high school sweetheart there, and have 32 years of beautiful marriage because of being there. I got to play for my dad, which was a really special memory. I got to witness him win a conference championship at the University of Houston.”Just like Fritz, Helton was happy to stroll down memory lane but was more enthused by the opportunity to host the No. 25 team in the country.“It’s a special game personally, but it’s more special for me just the opportunity for our community to have their first chance to have a power four team here,” Helton said. “And it’s special for our football team to go put their best foot forward and try to go get a win against a top-25 team. I look forward to that as much as hugging some necks and some people I really truly love.”Houston Cougars outlookHouston (2-1, 0-1 Big 12) remains on the road