2025 Kinder’s Texas Bowl Preview

The 2025 Kinder’s Texas Bowl features the 7-5 LSU Tigers and the 9-3 Houston Cougars. Here is the 2025 Kinder’s Texas Bowl Preview.

LSU Tigers

LSU won seven games to qualify for their fifth-straight bowl game. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams this year: Clemson, Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky. 

The Tigers score 21.8 points per game, which ranks them 106th nationally. They pass for 226.4 yards (ranked 64th) and rush for 106.2 yards (ranked 120th) per game. 

Garrett Nussmeier was the starting quarterback, but struggled with injuries this season and will not play. Michael Van Buren Jr. has played quarterback in relief. He has passed for 743 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions on 62.4 percent completion. Six players had at least 250 receiving yards on the season for the Tigers. Barion Brown has been the leading receiver with 52 catches for 495 yards and a touchdown. Zavion Thomas and Aaron Anderson have also been impressive with 473 and 398 receiving yards, respectively. 

Two running backs did most of the work for the Tigers. Caden Durham returned to lead the team in rushing with 505 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Harlem Berry played well with 446 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

Defensively, the Tigers allow 18.33 points, ranking 15th in the nation. They give up 117.2 rushing yards (ranked 27th) and 202.5 passing yards (ranked 43rd) per game. Safety AJ Haulcy has boosted his NFL Draft stock and led the team in tackles with 89, as he matches up against his former team. Harold Perkins Jr. has led the team with four sacks. Mansoor Delane has opted out, but PJ Woodland has been solid with eight passes defended and two interceptions. 

Houston Cougars

The Cougars won nine games to make their first bowl game since 2022. They defeated two bowl-eligible teams this season: Arizona and Arizona State. One of their losses was to a team that didn’t make a bowl game: West Virginia. 

Houston scores 28.3 points per game, ranking 63rd in the country. They pass for 215.2 yards (ranked 82nd) and rush for 175.7 yards (ranked 48th) per game. 

Conner Weigman formerly played at Texas A&M and has suited up at quarterback for the Cougars this season. He has passed for 2,475 yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 64 percent completion. Four pass catchers had at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Amare Thomas was the leading receiver with 906 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tanner Koziol was a matchup problem at tight end with 65 catches for 651 yards and five touchdowns. 

Three players have over 250 rushing yards for the Cougars this season. Dean Connors leads the way with 851 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Weigman has had success running the ball from the quarterback position with 644 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. DJ Butler has chipped in with 280 rushing yards. 

The Cougars’ defense concedes 21.83 points per game, ranking 40th in the country. They allow 133.3 rushing yards (ranked 43rd) and 214.8 passing yards (ranked 59th) per game. Jalen Garner leads the team with 75 total tackles. Eddie Walls III has paced the team with 5.5 sacks. Will James has made impactful plays in the secondary with five passes defended and three interceptions.

Prediction

 LSU has had a bad season, but they still have a lot of talent on their roster. They should come ready to play and be a little refreshed. Their defense can limit Houston and the offense should be able to do just enough to win the game.

LSU Tigers 24 Houston Cougars 21

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