What happened: C.J. Stroud completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,714 yards with 9 touchdowns and 1 interception. Houston tied that start to offensive coordinator Nick Caley's play-calling and scheme design.

Why it matters: His 9-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio marks sharper ball security than his 19 touchdowns against 8 interceptions across 14 games in 2025. Sustained efficiency at quarterback stabilizes Houston's offense through the middle of the regular season.

What to watch: Houston faces continued defensive adjustments to Caley's calls. The next stretch will show whether Stroud maintains the turnover pace.