The rivalry was particularly heated during the Conference USA period, when the two teams dominated the C-USA West Division.

Houston joined the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023, putting the future of the rivalry in doubt.

[5] November 23, 1968: An infamous game in the rivalry, Tulsa traveled to the Astrodome to face No.

[6][7] As of 2023, Houston remains the most recent NCAA Division I team to score 100 points in a game.

Hoping for a comfortable win, the Cougars ended up needing a game-winning, 51-yard field goal as time expired to escape with a 46–45 victory.