The team played its home games at the Astrodome, a 53,000-person capacity stadium off-campus in Houston.

It was Houston's first year of season play as a full member of the Southwest Conference eligible as champions.

Upon winning the conference as co-champions, the Cougars competed against the Maryland Terrapins in the Cotton Bowl Classic, and finished the post-season at an all-time highest national ranking in the history of the program.

Senior defensive tackle Wilson Whitley received the Lombardi Award following the season.

Future UH and Baylor head coach Art Briles played on the team.