In the latest edition of a Texas-based Conference USA shootout, 3-3 Houston visits Dallas to play 2-4 Southern Methodist Thursday night (8 pm ET).
The Cougars, who have won three games in a row and have beaten the Mustangs six times in a row, were favored by 3.5 points in the early betting on this game. (The total was sitting around 60 at Sportsbook earlier this week).
View Houston vs Southern Methodist Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: The Mustangs were listed as 2.5-point underdogs at sportsbooks such as Sportsbook on the college football lines.
Power Rankings / Prediction: This game matches up the No. 74 (Mustangs) and the No. 106 (Cougars) teams in the league, according to our current NCAAF Power Rankings at OddsShark. A 29-24 result in favor of the Cougars is predicted by handicapping models.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Southern Methodist's No. 92-ranked offense (23 PPG) against a Cougars defense that ranks No. 84 at 29.2 PPG. The Mustangs passing attack has averaged 253.3 yards per game, less than the Cougars give up through the air (289 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Cougars own the league's No. 58-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 158 yards per game when on the road. Southern Methodist, on the other hand, rates No. 122 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
In their last action, Houston was a 39-17 Sportsbook at home against UAB. They covered the 12.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (56) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. In Houston's last outing, David Piland threw for 362 yards to lead the Cougars over UAB 39-17 at John O`Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium.
Last time out for Southern Methodist, they were a 27-26 loser as they battled Tulane on the road. Southern Methodist failed to cover in the match as a 18.5-point favorite, while 53 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Zach Line tore up the turf for 177 rushing yards in the latest Mustangs game, a 27-26 loss to the Green Wave at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Houston Cougars Trends:
When playing in October are 8-2
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 9-1
Southern Methodist Mustangs Trends:
When playing in October are 5-5
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the conference are 6-4
A few Cougars at Mustangs trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Southern Methodist
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Houston is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games on the road
Southern Methodist is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games at home
Southern Methodist is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Southern Methodist is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Southern Methodist is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Next up:
Houston home to Texas El Paso, Saturday, October 27
Southern Methodist home to Memphis, Saturday, October 27
