Bet On College Football – Houston Cougars vs North Texas Mean Green Gambling Preview
The Houston Cougars beat UCLA and covered but it wasn’t the most inspiring opening performance. Despite knocking out the Bruins starting QB they didn’t win the yardage battle and didn’t do much in the second half as they held on for a 38-34 victory.
Houston Cougars vs. North Texas Mean Green
Mean Green Stadium – Denton, Texas
Saturday September 10 – 7:00PM
Moneyline:
Spread (ATS): Houston -22.5
Over/Under: 64
Odds courtesy of 5Dimes
Grab The In Depth ATS Betting Report – Click Here!
Houston
The spread started at HOU -3 but was down to -1.5 by gametime showing little confidence in the Cougars. That effort might have justified that opinion.
When the Cougars got word that QB Case Keenum was coming back visions of a 6000 yard season danced in coach Kevin Sumlin’s head. Two years ago the Cougars averaged 42ppg and they were looking for a return to that prolific level. Keenum threw for a quaint 310 yards connecting with Tyron Carrier 10 times for 138 yards. The more impressive part was averaging more than 5 yards per carry on the ground keeping the Bruins defense honest.
Nothing has changed for Houston on the defensive side as they gave up more that 550 yards, mostly with a backup QB at the helm. They especially got pounded on the ground giving up more than 230 yards to a team that averaged just 170 years ago. If Houston had a defensive pedigree there might be need for concern but this team just uses its defenders to let Keenum and the offense take a breather. Houston hasn’t faced off with North Texas since ‘98 – the Cougars won 31-9.
North Texas
The North Texas Mean Green lost convincingly in their season and conference opener at Florida International. They come home this weekend to host Houston in a battle of low profile Texas schools. Not much went right as they were losing to the Golden Panthers 28-0 at the end of the first quarter. Over the final three quarters they played them more even (19-16). [soliloquy id=”82219″]
For North Texas to have success they need RB Lance Dunbar to be effective. Everybody knows this and FIU was really able to bottle him up holding Dumbar to 33 yards on 18 carries. Take out one 14 yard scamper and they really had his number. Dunbar should find it easier to get untracked against Houston and they have to like that they got solid QB play Derek Thompson and Brent Osborn, both of who are low on experience.
Last year North Texas was pretty solid against the pass only twice giving up more than 300 yards through the air. Houston will test them all game long with a group of small, quick receivers like FIU’s T.Y. Hilton who NT could not cover at alllast week. There was little that was seen last week to think that the Mean Green are going to have any more success this week. They should generate some more offense but on defense it might be a disaster.
Trends:
HOU are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games on turf.
HOU are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games.
Over is 16-5 in HOU last 21 games in September.
NOTEX are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Over is 14-5 in NOTEX last 19 home games.
NOTEX are 9-24 ATS in their last 33 games on turf.
ATS Pick: Houston -22.5
Over/Under Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Houston 56 – North Texas 21
The CappersPicks.com college football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly college football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, CFB gambling articles and more to help you become the best College football bettor on your block!!
