College Football News Predicition Coug High/Ponies

[Harry0569]

Game of the Week

Houston (3-3) at SMU (4-3) Oct. 23, 3:30 ET

Here’s The Deal … This week’s showdown in Dallas is still a big deal in the West Division race. It just doesn’t have quite the same luster after both participants lost last weekend. SMU headed East to Annapolis, blowing a two-touchdown lead and falling to Navy, 28-21. Still, the Mustangs are the last remaining team from the division that’s unbeaten in league play, and a win this week brings them a huge step closer to a crown. Houston still hasn’t come close to recovering from the season-ending injury to Case Keenum. The Cougars have dropped three of the last four, hitting rock bottom with last Saturday’s 34-31 loss to Rice. This is a crossroads moment for the program, which will either jump right back into contention or fade completely off the radar by Sunday morning.
Why Houston Might Win: Even without Keenum, the offense hasn’t been the main culprit in the Cougars’ slide. With true freshman David Piland under center, they posted 436 total yards and were 10-of-17 on third down conversions. The rookie has a number of quality weapons, including RB Bryce Beall and receivers Patrick Edwards, James Cleveland, and Tyron Carrier. Edwards appears to be his favorite, catching nine balls for 169 yards and three touchdowns. Oh, and outscoring SMU isn’t as daunting as it used to be. The Mustangs have managed just 21 points in each of the last two games.
Why SMU Might Win: Yeah, the Mustang offense has been sporadic, but the Houston defense has a way of changing that sort of trend. The Cougars haven’t stopped many teams, ranking 96th nationally in scoring defense. SMU will capitalize with a combination of Zach Line’s running and the passing of Kyle Padron to his trio of playmakers, Aldrick Robinson, Cole Beasley, and Darius Johnson. The Mustangs boast a disruptive defense that’s capable of causing problems for a green quarterback. LB Ja’Gared Davis, in particular, has a dozen tackles for loss and the speed to be in Piland’s face regularly.
What To Watch Out For: For Piland and Padron, there’ll be a little more than just winning a game at stake. Friendly bragging rights will be on the line as well. The pair both did their apprenticeship at Southlake Carroll (Tex.) High School, which has become a quarterback factory for colleges. They’ve spent plenty of time together, most recently in the summer, when neither could have imagined in their wildest dreams that they’d be going head-to-head this early in their careers.
What Will Happen: While the offenses will be center stage, don’t expect a basketball game to break out. Neither attack has been that crisp over the past few weeks. It’ll be a close, back-and-forth affair that’ll come down to little things, like turnovers and third down stops. The difference will be the SMU defense, which has been spotty, but is still a cut above what Houston is bringing to town.
CFN Prediction: SMU 38 … Houston 28 … Line: SMU -7.5
Must See Rating: Due Date – 5 … Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue -1 … 3

[Harry0569]

I think someone else posted this [might've been me?] Blogger at ESPN Andrea
SMU 38, Houston 28. My how the tide has turned in the West Division of Conference USA. Houston has dropped two straight, and it is the Mustangs who are alone in first place and in control of their own destiny. Ja’Gared Davis will cause fits for true freshman quarterback David Piland, and Kyle Padron will be able to throw on a Houston defense that continues to struggle.