Fresno State football fans are hoping that the seventh time is the charm, as the team has lost its past six bowl game appearances – also going 0-6 ATS – dating back to 2008. The last time the Bulldogs won a bowl game came in 2007 when they were victorious in the then-named Humanitarian Bowl. Fresno State’s suffocating defense will look to contain the Houston Cougars in this year’s iteration of the Hawaii Bowl.
- Houston QB D’Eriq King has rushed for 7 TDs in the past 4 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in Fresno State’s last 9 games.
- Fresno State is 9-1-1 ATS in its last 11 games after an ATS win.
Fresno State has held opponents to just 17.2 points per game this season – a number that drops to 12.3 ppg if you exclude non-conference losses to Alabama and Washington. Offensively, there is nothing overly special about the Bulldogs. They protect the ball well and use a plethora of running backs to keep defenses off balance.
Houston has been up and down as a team all season long but the highlight has been the play of Ed Oliver. The defensive tackle is regarded as one of the premier defensive linemen in the country, as Oliver put up very good stats considering he has been dealing with a knee injury and constant double teams. Offensively, the team has finally found its man in D’Eriq King. After starting the season injured and playing receiver, King’s versatility has been a bright spot on an unremarkable offense.
Houston Cougars vs Fresno State Bulldogs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Betting fans of the Fresno State Bulldogs have seen them go 9-4 and 10-2-1 ATS so far this season, while the Houston Cougars are at 7-4 and 6-5 ATS. In OVER/UNDER totals betting, the Houston Cougars are 2-9, while the Fresno State Bulldogs are 3-10. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Fresno State vs Houston injuries news.
The game pits the Bulldogs, currently No. 29 in our OddsShark NCAA Football Power Rankings, against the Cougars, who rate No. 46 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Fresno State's No. 74-ranked offense, averaging 27.75 PPG, against a Houston defense that ranks No. 39 this week at 23 PPG. The Fresno State aerial game is averaging 234.75 yards per game, less than the Houston secondary allows through the air, 268.09 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Cougars feature the league's No. 68-rated road run defense, allowing 177 yards per game. Fresno State, meanwhile, ranks No. 77 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out, Navy could not slow down Steven Dunbar, who managed 142 receiving yards in the Cougars' 24-14 victory over the Midshipmen Friday.
In their last game, the Bulldogs were Week 14 losers coming out on the wrong end of a 17-14 score against Boise State.
