The Houston Cougars are still hoping to vault back into the College Football Playoff conversation, but know they have to be perfect the rest of the way and win games in style. A loss at Navy severely hurt Houston’s shot at a national title, and its small-conference schedule makes it tough to get back in the conversation.
Houston can’t control what the teams above it will do, but will try to get back to dominating opponents after a slow couple of weeks recently. The Cougars are heavy favorites to go on the road and knock off the SMU Mustangs in Week 8. The Mustangs are winless in conference and will be hard-pressed to remain competitive in this matchup.
This contest in Week 8 of the regular season will go down Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Houston -21
SMU +21
Odds Analysis
Houston lost by six to Navy and then beat Tulsa by seven in its past two games, but bettors believe in a return to its formerly dominant showings. The Cougars are getting 80 percent of the early money to cover this spread, despite it being three touchdowns with SMU at home.
It’s a testament to the offensive firepower on Houston and its ability to overwhelm opponents.
Player to Watch
Greg Ward, Jr. - The Houston quarterback is a dynamic dual threat. He has thrown for 1,938 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season, while also leading the team in rushing with 414 yards and six touchdowns.
Ward, Jr. has put up nice yardage numbers through the air and on the ground the past two weeks, but has thrown three interceptions against three touchdowns. If he takes care of the ball Houston is usually in good shape, but turnovers have been an issue of late.
Ward, Jr. could put up big numbers against SMU. The Mustangs are allowing 454.8 total yards per game, including 263 yards per game through the air and nearly 200 on the ground.
Matchup to Watch
SMU rushing game against Houston front seven - The Mustangs’ best chance at staying in this game would be getting the running game going. SMU averages 175.5 rushing yards per contest and would love to move the ball efficiently.
The team is led by Braeden West, who has carried the ball 97 times for 521 yards and three touchdowns. West had 22 carries for 124 yards and a score last time out, helping SMU force overtime against Tulsa before it eventually fell, 43-40.
West also has a 220-yard performance to his name when he dominated in a win over Liberty. Houston is only giving up 87.1 yards per game on the ground.
If West can’t get going, it will make it really tough on SMU, because it would prefer to shorten the game by running the ball often.
Free ATS Pick
After an early win over Oklahoma and several blowouts on their way to a 5-0 start, the Cougars looked like the rare small-conference team with a shot at making the College Football Playoff. However, the loss to Navy put a wrench in those plans.
Houston is now in an uphill battle to simply win the American Conference. The Cougars are still a very talented team and have a showdown with Louisville looming near the end of the season. They hope to be hitting on all cylinders again by that time in order to make a push for a prestigious bowl game.
It has been a rocky few weeks for Houston, but expect it to get straightened out in this one. SMU will be no match for Ward and the explosive Cougars in what should be a rout.
College Football Odds: Houston 48, SMU 17
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