When the University of Houston first competed in college football, it was ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation. However, in the end, it was an underachieving team that would not make the playoffs. Its success reflected in the poor results of its regular season games. The team's record was only 6-6, and in addition to having a weak offense, the Cougars had a lackluster defense.

In 2002, Houston's football team was one of the most impressive in the history of college football. The Texans won their first four games to earn a playoff spot. They dominated the Big 12 in their first year, but the Texans did not get into the playoffs until the 2011 season. While the Houston Texans have had some disappointing seasons, they have won more games than any other team in the city.

In 1946, Houston's first pro football game took place at Robertson Stadium, and the Cougars were ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1991. In its final game of the season, the Houston Cougars beat Texas Tech, 29-28, to win the Lone Star Conference. The Cougars went on to finish with a 10-4 record. Their season ended in a tie against East Carolina in the C-USA Championship and a loss to Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

As a result of the scandal surrounding Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, the Houston Cougars were eliminated from the BCS and NCAA playoffs. Although they did not win the conference championship, they did win the BCS and AP polls. And their football team was able to reach the College Football Playoffs three times in three years. And the Texans have won their first AFC South title since then.

The Houston Texans' biggest rival is Rice. The Cougars play only four of their seven conference games. Their biggest rival, SMU, is in the American Athletic Conference. Their most common non-conference opponents are Tulsa, and SMU. But their schedules are very competitive and can sometimes be unpredictable. The most exciting season of all for Houston football teams is the 2015 AFC Championship.

In the 1990s, the Texans played in the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game. In 2002, the Texans made their first-ever NFL appearance at the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame game. In 1997, Bob McNair led the effort to bring an NFL team to Houston. In October, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue praised his efforts and encouraged the city to pursue an expansion football team.

Despite these losses, Houston football teams remain in the top rankings. During the AFC South season, the Texans are the only two teams in the AFC that have won the AFC South division. The other major sports leagues in the AFC are the Major League Baseball and the National Football Conference. Besides the Texans, Houston has the AFC championship. And the Astros and the Texans are the most popular in the city.