Houston Cougars (6-1) vs SMU Mustangs (7-0)
Game Info: Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 7:00 pm (TDECU Stadium)
Betting Odds: Houston Cougars -1 -- Over/Under: 62 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 19th ranked SMU Mustangs will travel to TDECU Stadium to take on the Houston Cougars this Saturday night in College Football action.
The 19th ranked SMU Mustangs improved to 7-0 on the season after defeating the Tulane Green Wave, 55-26, on October 21st. SMU had no trouble generating offense against the struggling Tulane defense and pulled away after a 9-yard TD run by Tre Siggers gave the Mustangs a 38-13 lead with 3:33 left in the 3rd quarter. SMU outgained Tulane by a 612-428 margin and won the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin. Leading the way for the Mustangs QB Tanner Mordecai who completed 30 of 42 passes for 427 yards & 3 TD.
On the season, SMU is averaging 42.7 ppg on 525.4 total yards per game (333.3 passing yds/g; 192.1 rushing yds/g). Offensively, SMU has been led by QB Tanner Mordecai who has completed 71.1% of his passes for 2320 yards, 29 TD, & 7 INT. The top receiving threats for the Mustangs have been Danny Gray (38 rec, 609 yards, 7 TD), Rashee Rice (35 rec, 415 yards, 6 TD), Reggie Roberson Jr. (30 rec, 406 yards, 5 TD), & Grant Calcaterra (26 rec, 324 yards, 3 TD). Leading the way for the Mustangs backfield has been the duo of Tre Siggers (101 att, 473 yards, 4 TD) & Ulysses Bentley IV (55 att, 405 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, SMU is allowing their opponents to average 22.7 ppg on 396.0 total yards per game (249.3 passing yds/g; 146.7 rushing yds/g).
The Houston Cougars won their 6th straight game and improved to 6-1 on the season after defeating the East Carolina Pirates, 31-24 in OT, this past Saturday. Houston allowed East Carolina to score 14 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to force OT, however, Houston was able to find the end zone in the 1st OT and won the game after forcing an East Carolina fumble in the ensuring possession. Houston was outgained by East Carolina by a 360-256 margin, however, won the turnover battle by a 3-1 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Cougars was QB Clayton Tune who completed 19 of 29 passes for 169 yards & 2 TD.
On the season, Houston is averaging 36.3 ppg on 363.7 total yards per game (236.6 passing yds/g; 127.1 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Houston is led by QB Clayton Tune who has completed 69.1% of his passes for 1427 yards, 12 TD, & 6 INT. The top receiving threats for the Cougars have been Nathaniel Dell (39 rec, 510 yards, 4 TD), Christian Trahan (23 rec, 261 yards, 2 TD), & Jeremy Singleton (9 rec, 163 yards, 3 TD). Leading the way for the Cougars backfield has been the duo of Alton McCaskill (98 att, 463 yards, 9 TD) & Ta’Zhawn Henry (42 att, 181 yards, 4 TD).
Defensively, Houston is holding their opponents to an average of 17.3 ppg on 277.4 total yards per game (173.4 passing yds/g; 146.7 rushing yds/g).
The Under is 4-0 in the Mustangs last 4 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in the Cougars last 5 home games.
SMU and Houston are more known for their passing offenses, however, both defenses have been solid this season as the Mustangs currently rank 50th in scoring defense while Houston ranks 14th in scoring defense. SMU has not looked nearly as good as they have on the road as they have at home this season and as I just don’t think this is going to be a high-scoring shootout as I think Houston’s 12th ranked passing defense has some success at home slowing down the SMU passing attack, I think this game is more of a defensive game than expected and that the play here is to take the Under. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Under 62
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
