The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Bayou Bucket
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →2 players crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →
Houston leads the all-time series 35–12. They've met 47 times since 1971. Houston once took 7 straight.
Stature & the series, 1971–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
12–35
Houston leads
streak
2
Houston in a row
longest run
7
Houston
biggest win
64
Houston, 1989
first met
1971
47 meetings
biggest crowd
38,900
2017
The coaching duels
Ray Alborn vs Bill Yeoman1–5
Al Conover vs Bill Yeoman2–2
David Bailiff vs Kevin Sumlin2–2
Mike Bloomgren vs Dana Holgorsen1–3
Fred Goldsmith vs John Jenkins0–3
Ken Hatfield vs Kim Helton1–2
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
24–102
Houston leads
1st-rounders
2–15
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s0–11
1970s8–26
1980s2–14
1990s3–19
2000s4–7
2010s6–12
2020s1–13
Best picks, either side
1972Riley Odoms Tight EndRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
1975Mack Mitchell Defensive EndRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
1992David Klingler QuarterbackRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
1990Andre Ware QuarterbackRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
1977Wilson Whitley Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 8#8 overall
2013D.J. Hayden CornerbackRd 1, pick 12#12 overall
1980Earl Cooper Running BackRd 1, pick 13#13 overall
Recent meetings
2025Houston35–9
2024Houston33–7
2023Rice43–41
2022Houston34–27
2021Houston44–7
2018Houston45–27
2017Houston38–3
2013Houston31–26
2012Houston35–14
2011Houston73–34
2010Rice34–31
2009Houston73–14
2008Rice56–42
2007Houston56–48