Texas Tech vs. Houston Football 2009
Red Raiders Aim to Knock Off No. 17 Cougars in Non-Conference Game
Nope. The Cougars might not be underdogs for their college football game vs. Texas Tech on Saturday, Sept. 26. But they're barely favorites.
The contest, scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EST at Houston, is being rated as one of those toss-up situations, with oddsmakers favoring the Cougars by no more than two points.
That's how things are when you come from Conference USA, and that's how it is when you've just returned to the Top 25 after an 18-year absence. You've really got to prove yourself.
Houston (2-0) moved into the rankings for the first time since 1991 after shocking then-No. 5 Oklahoma State 45-35 at Stillwater, Okla., on Sept. 12. Initially ranked No. 21 in The Associated Press poll, the Cougars moved up four spots to No. 17 in the following week's poll without playing a game, as teams ahead of them lost.
So yes, coach Kevin Sumlin's Cougars are getting some respect, just not enough to make them a heavy favorite over Texas Tech. And there's a legitimate reason for that.
Coach Mike Leach's Red Raiders (2-1) come from the mighty Big 12 conference, and were 11-2 last season. And it just so happens that they scared the heck out of No. 2 Texas last week on the road before falling 34-24.
In any case, one good bet that can be made for Saturday's game is that it'll be a shootout. The matchup will be telecast by ESPN2.
Keenum, Potts Lead Prolific Offenses
Houston is averaging 50 points per game, which ranks first among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools. Texas Tech is 19th with "only" 39 points per contest. In yardage, the Cougars are fifth at 525 yards per game. Texas Tech is 15th at 473.
Houston quarterback Case Keenum has completed a remarkable 72.4 percent of his passes for 725 yards and seven TD passes with just one interception. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior is fourth in the FBS with a 180.2 passing efficiency rating. He's also run for a pair of TDs.
Texas Tech junior Taylor Potts, meanwhile, leads the FBS with an average of 427 yards per game. Filling in admirably for the departed Graham Harrell, Potts has completed 116 of 167 passes for 1,281 yards and 12 TDs, with four interceptions.
Texas Tech Firing Away As Usual
The Red Raiders pass, pass and pass some more. That's just the way it is with Leach.
Tech's had to move on without star receiver Michael Crabtree, who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Bu Potts is having no trouble finding targets.
Lanky junior Lyle Leong has hauled in a team-high 19 catches for Texas Tech, gaining 252 yards and scoring five TDs. Sophomore Tramain Swindall has added three TDs while garnering 11 catches for 190 yards.
Alex Torres and Edward Britton each have 16 catches, Detron Lewis has made 15 and freshman Alex Zouzali has 11 for the Red Raiders.
What the Red Raiders don't do much is run. Baron Batch is the leading rusher with just 65 yards and Tech's averaging just 28.7 rushing yards per game.
Beall Adds Balance for Houston
Houston likes to heave the ball, too, but the Cougars have a talented runner in sophomore Bryce Beall, who's run for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
The sophomore's also caught seven passes for 95 yards and two more TDs. His 6-yard scoring reception vs. Oklahoma State gave the Cougars the lead for good.
Charles Sims and Patrick Edwards lead Houston with 11 receptions apiece. Sims has 174 yards and one touchdown, and Edwards has 121 yards and a TD.
Right behind them is Tyron Carrier, who has 10 catches for 135 yards and a score. The speedy sophomore had 81 catches for 1,026 yards and nine TDs last year.
Houston Defense Comes Through in Clutch
The Cougars don't have a reputation for great defense, but they've performed admirably in their two games. Houston's allowing 348.5 yards per game, which isn't half bad considering that the Cougars butted heads with high-powered Oklahoma State.
Sophomore linebacker Marcus McGraw led Houston with 103 tackles last season, and he's actually managed to pick up the pace in 2009. He has 20 tackles through two games.
Senior linebacker C.J. Canvass has 16 tackles, including 14 solo, and freshman linebacker Philip Steward has been in on 16 tackles as well.
But the biggest defensive play of the young season was made by sophomore cornerback Jamal Robinson, who scored on an interception return to clinch the win over Oklahoma State.
Red Raiders Defense Stubborn vs. Longhorns
Texas Tech's defense had few problems in season-opening routs of North Dakota and Rice, and didn't too badly against Texas, either.
The Red Raiders kept Longhorns star QB Colt McCoy in check for much of the game, and Tech actually outgained the Longhorns 414 to 340 in total yards.
Marlon Williams leads Tech with 26 tackles, including five for losses; and fellow linebacker Bront Bird has 20 tackles, four for losses. Freshman safety Cody Davis has 18 tackles, and Brian Duncan, Tech's leader in tackles last season, has added 16 from his linebacking spot in 2009.
Texas Tech has recorded nine sacks, with defensive end Daniel Howard leading the way with two.
Cougars, Raiders Will Play for 1st Time since 1995
Houston and Texas Tech will meet for the 29th time on Saturday, but the game will mark their first since 1995.
The Cougars lead the series, 17-10-1, but the Red Raiders have won the last five – including a 38-26 decision in 1995. The teams met regularly when they were both members of the old Southwest Conference, which disbanded in 1996.
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