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I know nada about Houston except that they are talented at QB and gave UMiami (FL) fits before dropping one to them. I am also under an assumption that their personnel are roughly the same as last year.

This thread is to examine where Houston's strengths/weaknesses are vs. SMU only, as well as how they compare (favorably or not so) to last year.
Would love to hear comments about any film/TV review that anyone has done. Please try to stay non-emotional about this part. I just want a better feel for what we should see on Saturday (less from a win/loss perspective and more from how we or they get there).

Think of a chess game. If you know something about the game and teams, how would you set up your strategy to win if you are SMU or if you are Houston?

Keeps this as cerebral as possible.

http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confldrs.html

UH scores seven points more per game than SMU. UH's scoring defense is 4th in conference and SMU's is 5th.

UH's pass offense and passing efficiency is first in C-USA. SMU's pass defense is last.
Willis is second in passing efficiency in C-USA.

SMU is #1 in kickoff returns and five yards per return better than UH.
UH has a horrible punting record and is 4 ypp worse (29.5 net) than the 11th ranked team. SMU is #2.

UH is #4 in rushing offense but SMU is #1 in rushing defense (allowing only 81 ypg). #2 Tulsa allows 137 ypg but UH ran well against the Hurricane with a Battle/Alridge combo.

SMU averages 2.33 sacks per game (#1 in C-USA) which is over one more per game than UH.

UH has attempted the most fourth downs in C-USA (23) and its conversion ratio is 61% vs. a conference low attempts of 9 by SMU with just four conversions. UH takes risks!

UH and SMU are tied in red zone defense.

SMU averages just 27:05 of possession per game, worst in C-USA. UH is 7th in conf with 2:50 more per game.

Key points:
Kolb vs. Willis.

UH passing vs. SMU secondary

Can UH establish the run against SMU's top-rated run D? SMU's Joe Sturdivant is #2 in C-USA in tackles/game, followed by Carrington at #12. Haywood and Rogers average 2.75 tackles for loss per game.

Special Teams. UH punting and kickoff return average isn't pretty. Will SMU's Henderson run one back to mid-field, or further?

tristatecoog wrote:http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confldrs.html

UH scores seven points more per game than SMU. UH's scoring defense is 4th in conference and SMU's is 5th.

UH's pass offense and passing efficiency is first in C-USA. SMU's pass defense is last.
Willis is second in passing efficiency in C-USA.

SMU is #1 in kickoff returns and five yards per return better than UH.
UH has a horrible punting record and is 4 ypp worse (29.5 net) than the 11th ranked team. SMU is #2.

UH is #4 in rushing offense but SMU is #1 in rushing defense (allowing only 81 ypg). #2 Tulsa allows 137 ypg but UH ran well against the Hurricane with a Battle/Alridge combo.

SMU averages 2.33 sacks per game (#1 in C-USA) which is over one more per game than UH.

UH has attempted the most fourth downs in C-USA (23) and its conversion ratio is 61% vs. a conference low attempts of 9 by SMU with just four conversions. UH takes risks!

UH and SMU are tied in red zone defense.

SMU averages just 27:05 of possession per game, worst in C-USA. UH is 7th in conf with 2:50 more per game.

Key points:
Kolb vs. Willis.

UH passing vs. SMU secondary

Can UH establish the run against SMU's top-rated run D? SMU's Joe Sturdivant is #2 in C-USA in tackles/game, followed by Carrington at #12. Haywood and Rogers average 2.75 tackles for loss per game.

Special Teams. UH punting and kickoff return average isn't pretty. Will SMU's Henderson run one back to mid-field, or further?

Thanks for the stats!

tristatecoog wrote:Can UH establish the run against SMU's top-rated run D?

Until we prove we can stop your passing, I wouldn't even TRY to run. I do feel better about our secondary after the UAB game, but I expect that Kolb will put up some gaudy numbers. I look for a big game from Justin Willis after an off game against UAB. And look for a big return from #8, DeMyron Martin.

SMU pulls off the upset 31-27.

ponyboy wrote:

tristatecoog wrote:Can UH establish the run against SMU's top-rated run D?

Until we prove we can stop your passing, I wouldn't even TRY to run. I do feel better about our secondary after the UAB game, but I expect that Kolb will put up some gaudy numbers. I look for a big game from Justin Willis after an off game against UAB. And look for a big return from #8, DeMyron Martin.

SMU pulls off the upset 31-27.

DeMyron still won't be healthy.. and he's the type of back that just isn't effective unless he's 100%. The current rotation has been moderately effective, but I sure would like to see more 30 yd runs like Mapps pulled last week. Big plays period, actually.

Honestly after playing one game in 20 days prior to the UH game, DeMyron will be as healthy as he will get this season. Lets hope that last game ticked him off and he takes it out on the cougs

Well based on the title of the thread SMU is playing a Houston Pre-op so our chances should be pretty good.

me@smu wrote:Honestly after playing one game in 20 days prior to the UH game, DeMyron will be as healthy as he will get this season. Lets hope that last game ticked him off and he takes it out on the cougs

That was said before the UAB game too.. How many botched recoveries are we going to have to deal with?

smupony94 wrote:Well based on the title of the thread SMU is playing a Houston Pre-op so our chances should be pretty good.

what is our record vs preop?

I don't think we have ever played a Montrose pre-op

I dont look for Martian to be healthy anuff to really wear down the coogs d-line. I would like to see Ced be the power back because he also has that big play ability that Martian does not!!! Then of course give the ball to James Mapps he's got three 30 yard runs or more this year u cant use him as little as they have, let him run!!! I say go #20 and see ya later #8!!!!

drs1310 wrote:I dont look for Martian to be healthy anuff to really wear down the coogs d-line. I would like to see Ced be the power back because he also has that big play ability that Martian does not!!! Then of course give the ball to James Mapps he's got three 30 yard runs or more this year u cant use him as little as they have, let him run!!! I say go #20 and see ya later #8!!!!

God, I hope you don't talk like that too.

I don't think we can relyon our runnign game enough for the chosen back to matter. Our offense comes off as incredibly conservative whenever we decide to play Martin it seems, and we can't have a slow offense against UH. Their defense needs to be dumbfounded.

OC Mustang wrote:I know nada about Houston except that they are talented at QB and gave UMiami (FL) fits before dropping one to them.

That would be the same UMiami (btw the "FL" is not needed, the other school is MiamiU) that barely held on for a heart-stopping, clock-runs-out-while-the-other-team-has-the-ball-inside-Miami's-10 win over ... Duke.

UMiami 2006 is not UMiami of prior years, especially against opponents they care nothing about (like Houston, or Duke).

Dukie wrote:

OC Mustang wrote:I know nada about Houston except that they are talented at QB and gave UMiami (FL) fits before dropping one to them.

That would be the same UMiami (btw the "FL" is not needed, the other school is MiamiU) that barely held on for a heart-stopping, clock-runs-out-while-the-other-team-has-the-ball-inside-Miami's-10 win over ... Duke.

UMiami 2006 is not UMiami of prior years, especially against opponents they care nothing about (like Houston, or Duke).

People can say all they want about Miami but they have had a top 10 recruiting class in 4 out of the past 5 seasons. The only class that was not top ten in their current freshman class. Everyone else from redshirst frosh to redshirt senior are pretty darn good players even if their team is in an obvious down year.

MustangIcon wrote:People can say all they want about Miami but they have had a top 10 recruiting class in 4 out of the past 5 seasons. The only class that was not top ten in their current freshman class. Everyone else from redshirst frosh to redshirt senior are pretty darn good players even if their team is in an obvious down year.

The freshman class this year is outstanding, at least three true freshman starters there with JJ being the real deal at RB. Miami is down at the moment because of Coker. He tried to be buddy buddy with the team instead of kicking their [deleted] and now he has got what he deserves...an undisciplined team who play for themselves