SMU vs. Houston Football 2009
Mustangs Try to Stay Atop Division in Conference USA Football
The Cougars are a full game behind the Mustangs in the Conference USA West Divisions standings, and a loss in the Saturday, Oct. 24 game at Houston would put them in quite a hole.
Houston (5-1 overall, 1-1 conference) is actually in fourth place in the division, behind Tulsa (2-1) and UTEP (2-1) as well as SMU. So the Cougars already have plenty of climbing to do.
But Houston is ranked No. 17 in the nation by AP, 17th in the Bowl Championship Series standings, and is off to its best start in six years. And coach Kevin Sumlin's team has not lost in its home stadium since a 37-35 setback vs. East Carolina in 2007 – a winning streak of some 11 games.
The Cougars will be back at home after playing three consecutive road games. Since their 58-41 upset loss at UTEP, they've won two straight, including a 44-16 triumph over Tulane last week.
SMU (3-3, 2-0) is coming off a 38-35 overtime loss to Navy. The Mustangs have lost three of their last four, but they've won their two conferences games – 35-33 over Alabama-Birmingham and 28-21 over East Carolina.
Coach June Jones' Mustangs will be trying to snap a three-game losing streak to Houston. Their last victory was a 37-27 triumph at Dallas in 2006. Houston leads the series 14-9-1.
Saturday's game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. EST and will be telecast by the CBS College Sports Network.
Cougars Lead Nation in Passing Offense, Total Offense
The Cougars lead the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense at 560.33 yards per game, and boast the No. 1 passing offense at 431.5 yards. They're also third in scoring at 40.83 points per contest.
Trying to stop Houston will be an SMU team that ranks only 102nd in scoring defense (30.67 points) and 92nd in total defense (393.0 yards).
SMU's offense can't match the Cougars' big numbers, but the Mustangs do rank 16th in passing yards (280.83). And they'll face a Houston team that rates just 111th in total defense (448.17).
In any case, an aerial shootout appears to be in the works. Houston quarterback Case Keenum leads the NCAA Football Bowl Division with an average of 416.83 yards per game. SMU's Bo Levi Mitchell is 10th with an average of 280.83.
Bryce Beall Boosts Houston Offense
Bryce Beall has provided Houston with 673 yards from scrimmage. The sophomore has rushed for 437 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also has 21 catches for 236 yards and three TDs.
Beall has a shot at a second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, and James Cleveland and James Carrier each have a chance to amass 1,000 yards of receiving. Cleveland's made 45 catches for 474 yards and six touchdowns, and Carrier has 40 receptions for 483 yards and four TDs.
But there are plenty of other pass-catching threats, including Patrick Edwards (35 receptions, 381 yards) and running back Charles Sims (31 catches, 416 yards).
Of course, Keenum's the one who makes it all go. He's completed 70.1 percent of his passes for 2,501 yards, with 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
Cougars Defense Tightens Up
Houston's offense tends to score so quickly, its defense spends a long time on the field. That's one reason the Cougars have given up 448 yards and 28 points per game.
But the Cougars were stubborn last week vs. Tulane. Despite allowing 437 yards, they allowed their lowest scoring total since their 55-7 season-opening victory over Northwestern State.
Cornerback Brandon Brinkley has two interceptions and seven pass breakups; and his average of 1.5 passes defended per game ties him for sixth in the FBS. Brinkley has also made 31 tackles.
The team tackling leader remains linebacker Marcus McGraw, who's recorded 70. The sophomore is third in the FBS with an 11.67 average.
Other leaders for Houston include linebacker C.J. Cavness (54 tackles), safety Nick Saenz (52 tackles), cornerback Jamal Robinson (2 interceptions) and defensive lineman Tyrell Graham (4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks).
Receiver Sanders Is SMU's Top Threat
SMU has shown promise as an offensive team, averaging 28.3 points and 365 yards per game. The most productive weapon has been wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who's made 53 catches for 581 yards.
The senior, who is third in the FBS with an average of 8.83 receptions per game, already holds all-time school record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. But he's only caught two TD passes in 2009.
Aldrick Robinson is SMU's second-leading receiver with 22 catches for 375 yards and three TD catches. Terrance Wilkerson has 12 catches for 303 yards and a team-high four touchdowns.
Mitchell, meanwhile has, completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,685 yards and 12 TDs, with 10 interceptions.
The Mustangs running attack averages just 84.2 yards per game, but does feature an effective runner in Shawnbrey McNeal (500 yards, 2 TDs, 4.8 average).
SMU's Kennemer Leads Nation in Solo Tackles
The SMU offense has had trouble with turnovers, committing 15 this season. But the Mustangs' opponents are having an even rougher time. SMU's forced 20 turnovers, the fourth-highest total in the FBS.
On the negative side, SMU's been giving up more tha 30 points per game, along with a rather mediocre 393 yards.
That hasn't been due to a lack of production by linebacker Chase Kennemer. The senior has made 46 solo tackles, and leads the FBS with an average of 7.67 per game. Kennemer has 67 tackles overall, ranking fifth in the FBS, and has registered 7.5 tackles for loss.
Another Mustang in the national rankings is defensive back Rock Dennis, who's just one shy of the FBS interceptions lead with four. Other defensive standouts for SMU include DB Chris Banjo (45 tackles) and linebacker Chris Banjo (38 tackles).
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