Game notes....................
The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles shoot for their second win in less than a week when they pay a visit to Robertson Stadium this Sunday to take on the Houston Cougars in Conference USA action. The Golden Eagles enter the game on just a few days rest, as they posted a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory over Marshall on Tuesday night. It was the third win in the past four games by USM, which improved to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in league play. The Eagles, who are 3-2 away from home, will be playing their final road game of the regular season against Houston. Speaking of the Cougars, they come into the contest on a down note following a heartbreaking 31-29 setback to UCF last weekend. The loss was the team's second in three games, dropping it to an even 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference action. The defeat also marked the end of the Cougars' road slate, as they will conclude the regular season with three straight home games starting with this one. With regard to the all-time series between these two schools, Southern Miss owns a 6-2 edge. In fact, the Golden Eagles have won the last six meetings, including a 31-10 verdict in 2003.
Although Southern Miss is turning in a healthy 31.5 ppg this season, the offense hasn't been able to sustain long drives and that is evident in the mediocre 340.1 total ypg the team is averaging. The main problem has been an ineffective ground attack that is gaining a mere 111.2 ypg. The run game, however, has shown signs of life in recent weeks, including a 159-yard effort against Marshall on Tuesday. In that game, the Eagles racked up 383 yards of total offense, scoring two rushing touchdowns and another one passing. Larry Thomas led the way, as he rushed for 118 yards and a score on 25 carries. Thomas' recent surge is the main reason for the slight improvement in the ground attack, and he now leads the team with 584 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Dustin Almond also played a big role in the team's win over Marshall, as he threw for 224 yards and a score on 17-of-28 pass attempts. Although Almond has been intercepted nine this year, he has still been effective in completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,753 yards and 16 touchdowns. Antwon Courington hasn't had the season that he expected, but he still has been Almond's favorite target with a team-high 24 catches to his credit.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles haven't been as stingy as in years past and they come into this bout allowing 24.4 ppg and 405.1 total ypg. The unit has been vulnerable against the run (160.2 ypg) as well as the pass (244.9 ypg), although it has been able to counter that relative ineffectiveness by forcing an impressive 24 turnovers. The USM defense was once again taken to task in Tuesday's win over Marshall, yielding 409 total yards, including 191 on the ground. The unit gave up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to the Thundering Herd and if not for a blocked field goal at the end of regulation and a missed field goal in overtime the defense would have certainly been blamed for the loss. Kevis Coley was one of the few players who put together a noteworthy performance on Tuesday, as he posted 11 tackles including a pair of sacks. He has simply been sensational for the Golden Eagles this season, pacing the club in total stops (95), TFLs (nine) and sacks (six).
The Cougars have had success both running the ball (177.5 ypg) and throwing it (280.5 ypg) and that is the main reason why they have been able to average a solid 29.8 ppg. Quarterback Kevin Kolb, now in his third year as a starter, has not only provided leadership but big plays as well. He has already thrown for 2,234 yards this season with 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. In the team's two-point loss to UCF last weekend, Kolb put together another solid outing, throwing for 313 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19-of-31 passing. His main target was Vincent Marshall, who pulled in six balls for 73 yards. Marshall has been Kolb's first option much of the year and he heads the club with 47 receptions for 584 yards. Ryan Gilbert is another weapon in the Cougars' arsenal and is coming off a solid effort last weekend in which he rushed for 82 yards and a score on just eight carries. Gilbert has really emerged since taking over as the team's starting RB and has rushed for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. His 6.4 ypc average is indicative of just how explosive he can be.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Houston has struggled this season, allowing 26.4 ppg and 409.0 total ypg. The unit has struggled against the run (186.5 ypg) as well as the pass (222.5 ypg), and has forced just 13 turnovers. In their most recent outing, the Cougars were torched for 495 total yards, including 220 on the ground in a 31-29 loss to UCF. Houston forced just one turnover in the contest, while giving up 26 first downs. Rocky Schwartz paced the team in defeat with 13 tackles, including 11 solo. He currently leads the Cougars with 76 stops, while Cody Pree's four sacks pace the club.
*Taking a shot with the over 56*
BET ID=34840375
Straight Wager 11/13/05 11:04 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
SMississippi
Houston 11/13/05 (17:00 ET)
Over 56
The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles shoot for their second win in less than a week when they pay a visit to Robertson Stadium this Sunday to take on the Houston Cougars in Conference USA action. The Golden Eagles enter the game on just a few days rest, as they posted a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory over Marshall on Tuesday night. It was the third win in the past four games by USM, which improved to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in league play. The Eagles, who are 3-2 away from home, will be playing their final road game of the regular season against Houston. Speaking of the Cougars, they come into the contest on a down note following a heartbreaking 31-29 setback to UCF last weekend. The loss was the team's second in three games, dropping it to an even 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference action. The defeat also marked the end of the Cougars' road slate, as they will conclude the regular season with three straight home games starting with this one. With regard to the all-time series between these two schools, Southern Miss owns a 6-2 edge. In fact, the Golden Eagles have won the last six meetings, including a 31-10 verdict in 2003.
Although Southern Miss is turning in a healthy 31.5 ppg this season, the offense hasn't been able to sustain long drives and that is evident in the mediocre 340.1 total ypg the team is averaging. The main problem has been an ineffective ground attack that is gaining a mere 111.2 ypg. The run game, however, has shown signs of life in recent weeks, including a 159-yard effort against Marshall on Tuesday. In that game, the Eagles racked up 383 yards of total offense, scoring two rushing touchdowns and another one passing. Larry Thomas led the way, as he rushed for 118 yards and a score on 25 carries. Thomas' recent surge is the main reason for the slight improvement in the ground attack, and he now leads the team with 584 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Dustin Almond also played a big role in the team's win over Marshall, as he threw for 224 yards and a score on 17-of-28 pass attempts. Although Almond has been intercepted nine this year, he has still been effective in completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,753 yards and 16 touchdowns. Antwon Courington hasn't had the season that he expected, but he still has been Almond's favorite target with a team-high 24 catches to his credit.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles haven't been as stingy as in years past and they come into this bout allowing 24.4 ppg and 405.1 total ypg. The unit has been vulnerable against the run (160.2 ypg) as well as the pass (244.9 ypg), although it has been able to counter that relative ineffectiveness by forcing an impressive 24 turnovers. The USM defense was once again taken to task in Tuesday's win over Marshall, yielding 409 total yards, including 191 on the ground. The unit gave up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to the Thundering Herd and if not for a blocked field goal at the end of regulation and a missed field goal in overtime the defense would have certainly been blamed for the loss. Kevis Coley was one of the few players who put together a noteworthy performance on Tuesday, as he posted 11 tackles including a pair of sacks. He has simply been sensational for the Golden Eagles this season, pacing the club in total stops (95), TFLs (nine) and sacks (six).
The Cougars have had success both running the ball (177.5 ypg) and throwing it (280.5 ypg) and that is the main reason why they have been able to average a solid 29.8 ppg. Quarterback Kevin Kolb, now in his third year as a starter, has not only provided leadership but big plays as well. He has already thrown for 2,234 yards this season with 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. In the team's two-point loss to UCF last weekend, Kolb put together another solid outing, throwing for 313 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19-of-31 passing. His main target was Vincent Marshall, who pulled in six balls for 73 yards. Marshall has been Kolb's first option much of the year and he heads the club with 47 receptions for 584 yards. Ryan Gilbert is another weapon in the Cougars' arsenal and is coming off a solid effort last weekend in which he rushed for 82 yards and a score on just eight carries. Gilbert has really emerged since taking over as the team's starting RB and has rushed for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. His 6.4 ypc average is indicative of just how explosive he can be.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Houston has struggled this season, allowing 26.4 ppg and 409.0 total ypg. The unit has struggled against the run (186.5 ypg) as well as the pass (222.5 ypg), and has forced just 13 turnovers. In their most recent outing, the Cougars were torched for 495 total yards, including 220 on the ground in a 31-29 loss to UCF. Houston forced just one turnover in the contest, while giving up 26 first downs. Rocky Schwartz paced the team in defeat with 13 tackles, including 11 solo. He currently leads the Cougars with 76 stops, while Cody Pree's four sacks pace the club.
*Taking a shot with the over 56*
BET ID=34840375
Straight Wager 11/13/05 11:04 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
SMississippi
Houston 11/13/05 (17:00 ET)
Over 56
