Yippers, as with everything else in my life, I seem to have lost track of weeks, too. Honestly, I have no idea how this is all going to play out and with various teams and conferences starting different dates only adds to the handicapping chaos.
As NFL teams start seeing outbreaks, the College Football season has somehow managed to muddle through. Of course, we aren't being given honest, up to date info and frankly I'm not sure we really want or need that info, as long as student athletes are staying healthy and not jeopardizing people who might be vulnerable.
No one has had as big of a Covid crap shoot as the Houston Cougars. Dana Holgersons team is kicking off their season tonight against Tulane Green Wave. Having participated in playing College Football (as I'm sure a few of you have also), I can't imagine the disappointment these kids have felt as one game after another has been pulled out from under them each week. Playing D1 football is a challenge in itself but continually practicing each day, hitting the same people, and endless cardio, running activities translates to monotony and must be tremendously difficult for Holgerson to keep the kids attention focused as one week floats into another. Houston has been left at the alter 5 times already. Games against Washington St, Rice, Baylor and No Texas have all had to cancel, but it should be noted that the Covid issues have all been on their opponents side of things.
Tulane Green Wave is coming to Houston after demolishing So Miss 66-24 (a game which Tulane was losing 21-14 @ Half but up 52 points in final 37 minutes). Add to the fact that Tulane has a 2-1 record (only loss to Navy 27-24... A game they were up 24-0 at half) should give an edge to Tulane.
I went back and watched video of the 2nd half of last weeks game, mainly because I was concerned leading rusher Spears tore his ACL against So Miss.. was going to be a major loss but watching a platoon of RBs have their way was impressive. RBs Caroll and Hudderson have great speed and broke off long yardage in the 2nd Half.
Green Wave beat Houston last year 38-31 which ended with Tulane scoring as time expired and was one of the most exciting finishes in 2019. HC Willie Fritz has been around the block and is widely recognized for his option philosophy. His team's at Sam Houston St (FCS) competed for the National Championship twice. His tenure at Tulane has seen back to back 6-6 seasons and wins in both bowl games last two. He actually has a 60% Cover rate which few HC can emulate. Since being at Tulane, he is 30-22-1...... He brought in Off Coordinator Will Hall last year to start blending the Option Heavy offenses to include a spread look. Team is still running the ball efficiently and effectively (900 yards thru 3 games at 6.5 yards per carry but what was very evident last game was emergence of True Frosh Michael Pratt who completed 9 of 19 passes for 142 yards. Without Spears, Cameron Carroll and RB Hudderson have great speed and hit the holes hard. Cameron rushed for 163 yards last week taking over for Spears.
Houston HC Dana Holgerson (transplant from West Virginia) had a rough go of it last year finishing 4-8. Top QB D'Eriq King jumped ship for Miami (having a nice season). Holgerson has handed keys to QB Clayton Tunes, who has been in a contest to beat out Holgersons son but from what I'm hearing has already led to some questioning if nepotism isn't at work. Houston found success on the ground last year and I expect will try to dictate tempo.
Without a live game it is kinda difficult to guess what we can expect out of this Cougar team. I imagine Houston will start slow which should give an advantage to Tulane. Tulane is adopting the hurry up offense approach and with 3 games under their belt, I don't know how Cougars could've simulated game speed. Houston only has two victories last year in AAC play. Only home win was against Prairie View.
Considering the cobwebs will most likely lead to a slow start and taking into account Tulane won last year's game in an exciting fashion, giving Wave confidence, I really like getting Tulane plus points but will double down on the first half here.
Tulane +4 over Houston..... 10 pts (1st Half)
As NFL teams start seeing outbreaks, the College Football season has somehow managed to muddle through. Of course, we aren't being given honest, up to date info and frankly I'm not sure we really want or need that info, as long as student athletes are staying healthy and not jeopardizing people who might be vulnerable.
No one has had as big of a Covid crap shoot as the Houston Cougars. Dana Holgersons team is kicking off their season tonight against Tulane Green Wave. Having participated in playing College Football (as I'm sure a few of you have also), I can't imagine the disappointment these kids have felt as one game after another has been pulled out from under them each week. Playing D1 football is a challenge in itself but continually practicing each day, hitting the same people, and endless cardio, running activities translates to monotony and must be tremendously difficult for Holgerson to keep the kids attention focused as one week floats into another. Houston has been left at the alter 5 times already. Games against Washington St, Rice, Baylor and No Texas have all had to cancel, but it should be noted that the Covid issues have all been on their opponents side of things.
Tulane Green Wave is coming to Houston after demolishing So Miss 66-24 (a game which Tulane was losing 21-14 @ Half but up 52 points in final 37 minutes). Add to the fact that Tulane has a 2-1 record (only loss to Navy 27-24... A game they were up 24-0 at half) should give an edge to Tulane.
I went back and watched video of the 2nd half of last weeks game, mainly because I was concerned leading rusher Spears tore his ACL against So Miss.. was going to be a major loss but watching a platoon of RBs have their way was impressive. RBs Caroll and Hudderson have great speed and broke off long yardage in the 2nd Half.
Green Wave beat Houston last year 38-31 which ended with Tulane scoring as time expired and was one of the most exciting finishes in 2019. HC Willie Fritz has been around the block and is widely recognized for his option philosophy. His team's at Sam Houston St (FCS) competed for the National Championship twice. His tenure at Tulane has seen back to back 6-6 seasons and wins in both bowl games last two. He actually has a 60% Cover rate which few HC can emulate. Since being at Tulane, he is 30-22-1...... He brought in Off Coordinator Will Hall last year to start blending the Option Heavy offenses to include a spread look. Team is still running the ball efficiently and effectively (900 yards thru 3 games at 6.5 yards per carry but what was very evident last game was emergence of True Frosh Michael Pratt who completed 9 of 19 passes for 142 yards. Without Spears, Cameron Carroll and RB Hudderson have great speed and hit the holes hard. Cameron rushed for 163 yards last week taking over for Spears.
Houston HC Dana Holgerson (transplant from West Virginia) had a rough go of it last year finishing 4-8. Top QB D'Eriq King jumped ship for Miami (having a nice season). Holgerson has handed keys to QB Clayton Tunes, who has been in a contest to beat out Holgersons son but from what I'm hearing has already led to some questioning if nepotism isn't at work. Houston found success on the ground last year and I expect will try to dictate tempo.
Without a live game it is kinda difficult to guess what we can expect out of this Cougar team. I imagine Houston will start slow which should give an advantage to Tulane. Tulane is adopting the hurry up offense approach and with 3 games under their belt, I don't know how Cougars could've simulated game speed. Houston only has two victories last year in AAC play. Only home win was against Prairie View.
Considering the cobwebs will most likely lead to a slow start and taking into account Tulane won last year's game in an exciting fashion, giving Wave confidence, I really like getting Tulane plus points but will double down on the first half here.
Tulane +4 over Houston..... 10 pts (1st Half)
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