Why is Houston down to -17
- Thread starter ageecee
- Start date
only injuries i came across...
Another injured starter
One day after UH learned starting left tackle Jacolby Ashworth will be out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, the Cougars lost another starter. Coach Kevin Sumlin said Tuesday that linebacker Kris Johnston will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained during the team's 31-24 victory over Mississippi State. With original starter Matt Nicholson also out for the season with a knee injury, the Cougars will turn to true freshman Phillip Steward.
Another injured starter
One day after UH learned starting left tackle Jacolby Ashworth will be out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, the Cougars lost another starter. Coach Kevin Sumlin said Tuesday that linebacker Kris Johnston will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained during the team's 31-24 victory over Mississippi State. With original starter Matt Nicholson also out for the season with a knee injury, the Cougars will turn to true freshman Phillip Steward.
maybe bettors remember the UTEP game?
LETTING THEIR GUARD DOWN
Three examples of ranked teams that were upset or suffered a near miss by taking an opponent lightly after a big win:
? Washington 16, Southern Cal 13: The Trojans lay an egg one week after winning at Ohio State.
? UTEP 58, Houston 41: The Cougars stumble after an emotional victory over Texas Tech.
? Iowa 24, Arkansas State 21: The Hawkeyes barely escape in a game sandwiched between wins over Penn State and Michigan.
LETTING THEIR GUARD DOWN
Three examples of ranked teams that were upset or suffered a near miss by taking an opponent lightly after a big win:
? Washington 16, Southern Cal 13: The Trojans lay an egg one week after winning at Ohio State.
? UTEP 58, Houston 41: The Cougars stumble after an emotional victory over Texas Tech.
? Iowa 24, Arkansas State 21: The Hawkeyes barely escape in a game sandwiched between wins over Penn State and Michigan.
Tulane's plan against high-powered Houston is to play keep-away
By Tammy Nunez, The Times-Picayune
There is one position that might be as important to Tulane defensive coordinator Steve Stanard as any of the guys in his unit this week -- the Tulane running back.
As the Green Wave eyes offensive monster and 23rd-ranked Houston, ball possession will be crucial. It's a game of keep-away, as Houston's passing game dials up 426 yards per game.
It's not news to Tulane tailback Andr? Anderson.
"They have a great offense, and I think the key to the game is just ball control -- running the ball, " Anderson said. "The last two teams that played them -- I think Mississippi State had some good rushing numbers against them. I think I heard they had some turnover problems in the red zone, so that cost them. UTEP, when they beat (Houston), they ran the ball and kept pace with them when Houston scored. When Houston scored, they scored. They fought back and played some good defense."
The backs might be called on for some underneath routes and the same sort of pounding runs that worked in the Army win. Of course quarterback Joe Kemp will have a hefty task to keep the offense moving, but the running game has opened up passing for him all season, and it will have to against a team that scores 40.2 points a game. Tulane averages 17 points.
"We have to keep the ball away from them, move the ball and score points, " Tulane Coach Bob Toledo said. "We have to take advantage of every possession that we have, so to speak. And that's tough to do."
As more pressure is mounted on the running back ranks this week, injuries have heightened the moment.
Backup tailback Payten Jason, who keyed an 80-yard plus Tulane possession when Anderson was getting his shoulder pads adjusted against Marshall, was lost for the season on a horse collar tackle. He was collared from behind and ruptured his patella tendon in his left knee.
Jason was an easy replacement for Anderson, whose left shoulder popped out of place against Marshall. Jason finished the season with 19 carries, 85 yards and eight kickoff returns for 158 yards.
So it doesn't just affect offense.
"Each week Payten had been contributing more and more both as a running back and on special teams, " running backs coach Greg Davis Jr. said. "He was starting on three special teams. Obviously another guy has to step in and play. We've been working all the second-, third-, and fourth-team backs. I told all those guys at the beginning of last year -- we started with eight guys in the room, and every one in the room played. This year, before the year is over, we are going to need everybody. It's the nature of the position. It's a position that you get banged up, bruised, and you have to play that way."
Albert Williams, J.T. McDonald and Stephen Barnett will back up Anderson. Anderson said he is fitted with special shoulder straps that help protect the joint as well as keeping him from further injury.
"This is something that I somehow have to fight through, " Anderson said. "I'm going to rehab twice a day and just make sure I get some strength in there and isolate it -- just do whatever I can to be able to go out there and not have to worry about it bothering me during the game."
There has been good news in the other back department. Antoine Duplessis, a 6-foot-2, 262-pound fullback, has played well in recent weeks.
Duplessis played defensive end in high school, switched to tight end at Tulane before moving to fullback. He has started all five games this season at the position, gaining 51 yards on seven carries and catching two passes for 15 yards.
"He's had to step up, he's had to be the guy, and he's embraced the role, " Davis said. "I think he's getting in better shape. I think he's gaining experience and enjoying the position."
Duplessis said he followed Jason to the sideline after the injury and felt terrible for him. But the running back position is deep, thankfully.
"We're pretty deep at running back and now it's time for guys to step up, " Duplessis said. " 'Dre's a little banged up right now, Payten is out, so it's time for everybody to step up and show what they can do."
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.
By Tammy Nunez, The Times-Picayune
There is one position that might be as important to Tulane defensive coordinator Steve Stanard as any of the guys in his unit this week -- the Tulane running back.
As the Green Wave eyes offensive monster and 23rd-ranked Houston, ball possession will be crucial. It's a game of keep-away, as Houston's passing game dials up 426 yards per game.
It's not news to Tulane tailback Andr? Anderson.
"They have a great offense, and I think the key to the game is just ball control -- running the ball, " Anderson said. "The last two teams that played them -- I think Mississippi State had some good rushing numbers against them. I think I heard they had some turnover problems in the red zone, so that cost them. UTEP, when they beat (Houston), they ran the ball and kept pace with them when Houston scored. When Houston scored, they scored. They fought back and played some good defense."
The backs might be called on for some underneath routes and the same sort of pounding runs that worked in the Army win. Of course quarterback Joe Kemp will have a hefty task to keep the offense moving, but the running game has opened up passing for him all season, and it will have to against a team that scores 40.2 points a game. Tulane averages 17 points.
"We have to keep the ball away from them, move the ball and score points, " Tulane Coach Bob Toledo said. "We have to take advantage of every possession that we have, so to speak. And that's tough to do."
As more pressure is mounted on the running back ranks this week, injuries have heightened the moment.
Backup tailback Payten Jason, who keyed an 80-yard plus Tulane possession when Anderson was getting his shoulder pads adjusted against Marshall, was lost for the season on a horse collar tackle. He was collared from behind and ruptured his patella tendon in his left knee.
Jason was an easy replacement for Anderson, whose left shoulder popped out of place against Marshall. Jason finished the season with 19 carries, 85 yards and eight kickoff returns for 158 yards.
So it doesn't just affect offense.
"Each week Payten had been contributing more and more both as a running back and on special teams, " running backs coach Greg Davis Jr. said. "He was starting on three special teams. Obviously another guy has to step in and play. We've been working all the second-, third-, and fourth-team backs. I told all those guys at the beginning of last year -- we started with eight guys in the room, and every one in the room played. This year, before the year is over, we are going to need everybody. It's the nature of the position. It's a position that you get banged up, bruised, and you have to play that way."
Albert Williams, J.T. McDonald and Stephen Barnett will back up Anderson. Anderson said he is fitted with special shoulder straps that help protect the joint as well as keeping him from further injury.
"This is something that I somehow have to fight through, " Anderson said. "I'm going to rehab twice a day and just make sure I get some strength in there and isolate it -- just do whatever I can to be able to go out there and not have to worry about it bothering me during the game."
There has been good news in the other back department. Antoine Duplessis, a 6-foot-2, 262-pound fullback, has played well in recent weeks.
Duplessis played defensive end in high school, switched to tight end at Tulane before moving to fullback. He has started all five games this season at the position, gaining 51 yards on seven carries and catching two passes for 15 yards.
"He's had to step up, he's had to be the guy, and he's embraced the role, " Davis said. "I think he's getting in better shape. I think he's gaining experience and enjoying the position."
Duplessis said he followed Jason to the sideline after the injury and felt terrible for him. But the running back position is deep, thankfully.
"We're pretty deep at running back and now it's time for guys to step up, " Duplessis said. " 'Dre's a little banged up right now, Payten is out, so it's time for everybody to step up and show what they can do."
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.
Well this is a similar thing to the UTEP game.
The line in the UTEP game dropped as well even though it showed around 77% on Houston in that one.
On paper the Cougars seem to be so much better than UTEP or Tulane, but reality is Houston has such a weak defense that anyone can score on them.
OKST and Miss. St both turned the ball over killing themselves against a team with a top tier offense.
Dez Bryant stumbles and ball pops off his shoulder on a slant route and turns into a pick 6 to turn a 1 score game into a 2 score game in the 4th.
Miss St down 7 and on UH 20 in the 4th after score erased from penalty has a fumble on handoff exchange and next thing they know down 14 and game over.
Utep played mistake free and ran the ball and then ran the ball some more.
U of H run defense is AWFUL. They loaded up the box vs Miss. St and slowed it some but Miss St insisted on throwing at times they didn't need to. It is like they were bored of getting 5+ yards a run or they didn't watch the entire Utep game film.
Tulane will run,run,run.
If they score,score,score then Houston doesn't cover.
I think Houston wins unlike the Utep outcome, but I will not bet for or against this team again.
Mistake free Tulane offense(meaning little or no turnovers and few penalties) and Tulane covers.
The line in the UTEP game dropped as well even though it showed around 77% on Houston in that one.
On paper the Cougars seem to be so much better than UTEP or Tulane, but reality is Houston has such a weak defense that anyone can score on them.
OKST and Miss. St both turned the ball over killing themselves against a team with a top tier offense.
Dez Bryant stumbles and ball pops off his shoulder on a slant route and turns into a pick 6 to turn a 1 score game into a 2 score game in the 4th.
Miss St down 7 and on UH 20 in the 4th after score erased from penalty has a fumble on handoff exchange and next thing they know down 14 and game over.
Utep played mistake free and ran the ball and then ran the ball some more.
U of H run defense is AWFUL. They loaded up the box vs Miss. St and slowed it some but Miss St insisted on throwing at times they didn't need to. It is like they were bored of getting 5+ yards a run or they didn't watch the entire Utep game film.
Tulane will run,run,run.
If they score,score,score then Houston doesn't cover.
I think Houston wins unlike the Utep outcome, but I will not bet for or against this team again.
Mistake free Tulane offense(meaning little or no turnovers and few penalties) and Tulane covers.
Tulane is playing with a purpose these days. Morale on the team is sky high relative to a month ago. I like the Wave, and will likely play this side.
Did I also mention that U of H kind of got lucky because of poor coaching by Mike Leech.
4thQ up 5 with 4&G from the 2 or 3 and they got for it instead of kicking FG to go up 8.
How many coaches do that?
Only other moron I can come up with is Bob Stoops.
U of H could easily have 3 more losses.
4thQ up 5 with 4&G from the 2 or 3 and they got for it instead of kicking FG to go up 8.
How many coaches do that?
Only other moron I can come up with is Bob Stoops.
U of H could easily have 3 more losses.
Miles turned down a field goal in the first half against Geogia that would have pushed LSU from a 6 to a 9 pt lead...it almost came back to bit him. The man must have a horseshoe buried you know where as he's been bailed out more times than I can remember.
Gotcha...that probably was worse. I just can't get over some of these decisions tho. Everybody knows (or we would hope so) #1 rule is to not beat yourself and take what your given...especially in a road conference game...and especially with a lot of time left on the clock.
