DCTF's Weekend Preview

unt_rocket09 · October 5, 2012

http://www.texasfoot...ews/view/180108

North Texas (2-3, 1-1 in Sun Belt) at Houston (1-3, 1-0 in CUSA), 6 p.m. Saturday, CSS

For Houston, this is a chance to make September (except for the game against Rice) a distant memory. For North Texas, it's a chance to validate its move up to Conference USA a year from now and beat a Texas-based FBS program for the first time since 2006. But the two schools share a common goal: consistency. Houston hadn't played a complete game in all facets until last week's win over Rice. The offense put up more than 600 yards and the defense held Rice (without its starting QB) well below its season average. UNT, meanwhile, has played very well defensively, but can't seem to get the running and passing game on the same schedule. On the nights Derek Thompson is hitting his receivers, running backs Antoinne Jimmerson and Brandin Byrd seem to be stuck in neutral -- and vice versa. These teams are so even -- a credit to UNT's improvement and a criticism of Houston's drop off this season -- that I think it comes down to whichever team best puts it all together on Saturday. Based mostly on Houston's 180 against Rice last weekend, I have to go with the Cougars. Had they not played so well in a rivalry game, UNT would've been my pick. But an off week followed with last week's win appears to have reenergized Houston, enough so that the Coogs will get a late score to preserve a close win.

Key stat: 9:08, the difference in average time of possession between North Texas and Houston. North Texas averages 32 minutes and 40 seconds of ball possession every game, ranking the Mean Green 17th in the country, while Houston's 23:34 average time of possession is ranked dead last in the country.

The mob says: Houston by 12

So says I: Houston 38, UNT 28

MeanGreenTexan · October 5, 2012

http://www.texasfoot...ews/view/180108

North Texas (2-3, 1-1 in Sun Belt) at Houston (1-3, 1-0 in CUSA), 6 p.m. Saturday, CSS
For Houston, this is a chance to make September (except for the game against Rice) a distant memory. For North Texas, it's a chance to validate its move up to Conference USA a year from now and beat a Texas-based FBS program for the first time since 2006. But the two schools share a common goal: consistency. Houston hadn't played a complete game in all facets until last week's win over Rice. The offense put up more than 600 yards and the defense held Rice (without its starting QB) well below its season average. UNT, meanwhile, has played very well defensively, but can't seem to get the running and passing game on the same schedule. On the nights Derek Thompson is hitting his receivers, running backs Antoinne Jimmerson and Brandin Byrd seem to be stuck in neutral -- and vice versa. These teams are so even -- a credit to UNT's improvement and a criticism of Houston's drop off this season -- that I think it comes down to whichever team best puts it all together on Saturday. Based mostly on Houston's 180 against Rice last weekend, I have to go with the Cougars. Had they not played so well in a rivalry game, UNT would've been my pick. But an off week followed with last week's win appears to have reenergized Houston, enough so that the Coogs will get a late score to preserve a close win.
Key stat: 9:08, the difference in average time of possession between North Texas and Houston. North Texas averages 32 minutes and 40 seconds of ball possession every game, ranking the Mean Green 17th in the country, while Houston's 23:34 average time of possession is ranked dead last in the country.
The mob says: Houston by 12
So says I: Houston 38, UNT 28

I'm seeing this type of score all over the place. I'll be genuinely shocked if either team hits 28. Doesn't seem like these prognosticators have been watching UNT or UH football this year.