The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas, and competed in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference.

They were led by first-year head coach Major Applewhite.

Roster Last update: May 13, 2020 Houston announced its 2017 football schedule on February 9, 2017.

The Cougars hosted AAC foes East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, and SMU, and traveled to South Florida, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa.

Houston was originally scheduled to travel to UTSA of CUSA but that game was canceled.