[1] The Cougars were led by 17th-year head coach Bill Yeoman and played their home games at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.

This was Houston's first outright conference title and second overall, in only their third year in the league.

They were invited to the 1979 Cotton Bowl Classic, played on New Year's Day, where they were defeated by Notre Dame.

Houston was ranked 10th in the final AP Poll of the season and 11th in the Coaches' Poll.

This college football 1970s season article is a stub.