Collaborative Preview: Houston Cougars

Here we are for the final week of the season…  Perhaps the most relevant comment is Tucker’s reminder that we need an excellent fan turnout.  Lots of the country (including Big 12 folks) will be watching this game and we’ll have a recruit visiting who is by far the best recruit to ever consider UC.  The program has earned your attention, the team has earned your  attendance!

Ben Levin – Cincinnati 30, Houston 23
Given what UC’s defense did against a dual-threat QB last week with similar skills (Temple’s PJ Walker), I like UC’s chances of keeping Greg Ward in the pocket and in check.  Ward isn’t much of a threat to burn you with the deep ball, either, so UC’s defense can focus on protecting the line of scrimmage.  They will need to, as Houston has a much better ground game than UC’s past few opponents, and Ward’s biggest strength is pulling the ball down and taking off.  If UC can get back to playing good offensive football and shake off last week’s lackluster performance at Temple, Houston won’t be able to keep up – they lack quick-strike ability.  The Cougars generally have to dink-and-dunk down the field due to Ward’s lack of a strong arm.  I am still skeptical about whether UC’s rushing defense has truly improved.  In my opinion, they have been preying on weak opponents, and they still have a lot to prove.  For that reason, I think this one will be close.  UC must hold the UH rushing game in check to win.  The question is whether or not they can do it.

Spencer Tuckerman – Cincinnati 31, Houston 20

The Bearcats offense isn’t going to get stuffed twice. So far this year, Gunner has shown the ability to get the job done in big situations. Given the fact that there’s a conference championship on the line, I don’t see him backing down now. Houston has a good defense, but has given up a few good passing games to competent QBs. The key for Houston in those games was turnovers. They gave up some TDs, but they grabbed INTs. If Gunner can avoid some of the dumb mistakes, I think the offense will get the job done.

Stopping Ward is another story. I’ve been worried about him for a few weeks, but after seeing the job Cincinnati did against PJ Walker, I’m optimistic. I don’t think Houston will have enough to out-gun the Bearcats in front of (hopefully) a good crowd.

Chris Bains – Cincinnati 31, Houston 20

The Cougars are dangerous at wide receiver, running back, linebacker, and in the secondary. Across these position groups, they have the makings of a very good football team. But Houston is fairly awful at the most important position of all; quarterback. Neither John O’Korn nor Greg Ward have taken the reigns this season and that could be their downfall in this game. It will be a tough test for the Bearcats on Saturday but Gunner Kiel has been far more consistent than either Houston QB and that will be the difference in this game.

Jesse Smith – Cincinnati 27, Houston 23

I was shocked UC got into a defensive battle with Temple last week, but hey what do I know?

Houston has a duel threat QB in Gary Ward, Jr. he’s more ample to make plays with his feet than his arm, while his arm isn’t the strongest his feet allows him to extend plays. Houston has good players at the skill positions so the Bearcats defense has to stay sound. With that being said I think the defense will stay solid and keep Houston under control and our offense will do a good job putting points on the board against the Houston defense. Holding the Bearcats under 20 points two weeks in a row won’t happen.

Bearcats will win a close one at home and get a piece of the AAC championship.

Mike Jorgensen – Cincinnati 31, Houston 24

This Houston Cougars team is one inexplicable game away from a share of the conference title. They are 10th in the country in scoring defense and will likely cross the 2,000 rushing yard mark in Saturday’s game. No one on their team averages less than 4 yards per carry and their top two running backs average 5.5 YPC. They will look to run the ball and keep our defense on the field. Being a warm weather team, Houston will not likely enjoy their time in Cincinnati but strangely enough, their team is better suited for cold weather ball.

They key to Cincinnati’s game is to get the passing game back enough to grab an early lead and then let Boone and Moore melt the clock away. Thats a pretty common strategy but it works. Lets keep Gunner healthy and not do anything stupid with him (looking at you Gran). I’d like to officially summon a moratorium on the read option run. Its not a smart play when you rely on your QB who is playing in cold weather with bruised ribs. Our offense averages 35 points per game, I don’t think we’ll hit that. I’m calling it 4 touchdowns and a late field goal to clinch the game.

Our defense should be feeling more confident after 8 straight quarters of touchdown-less football but this will be a real challenge. Even a good defense can get worn down if the offense can’t sit on the ball and the defense can’t stop the run. Lets hope the adjustments on defense are real and not just the product of weaker opponents (I think its been a little bit of both). Houston averages 29 points per game, I’m going to give them 24 against the Bearcats.

There you have it, unanimous decision that the Bearcats will go on to win yet another conference championship.  If we win this conference championship then we will continue to be one of the most successfully programs in the country.  Lets hope we’re right and keep our hopes alive for a 10 win season.