UH vs. No. 16 SMU: Five things to watch
Joseph Duarte , Houston Chronicle Oct. 23, 2019
Five things to watch as Houston plays No. 16 SMU on Thursday at TDECU Stadium:
Tune back?
All indications are that Houston sophomore quarterback Clayton Tune will make his return after being held out of last week?s game against UConn. Tune had been limited most of the past three weeks with a pulled hamstring until his return to practice this week. ?It looks like he?s a go,? coach Dana Holgorsen said early in the week. The hamstring is likely something that will require monitoring for the rest of the season and a cautious approach for the Cougars, who have few options at the position with D?Eriq King redshirting. If Tune is unable to play or is limited, Logan Holgorsen, a true freshman walk-on who won his first career start last week, is the first option. UH is also likely to continue using some form of Bryson Smith and Kyle Porter out of the wildcat formation.
Where has the deep ball gone?
The quarterback carousel has not helped, but the Cougars? inability to throw the deep ball can be traced back as far as the spring. Through the first five games, UH had just four passes that covered at least 35 yards. There has been recent improvement with six such passes in the last two games.
?It?s been perplexing because it wasn?t there in the spring,? Holgorsen said. ?It was frustrating, It was a combination of the quarterback not putting it where they needed to be putting it, timing, the receiver was not getting off coverage. The technique was not good and we have improved on it.?
Jeremy Singleton has emerged as the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Marquez Stevenson. Stevenson has catches of 45 and 50 yards, both from Bryson Smith, in the last two weeks. Also important to note: UH has just 19 completions the past two games, its lowest production since 2003.
Corral the Ponies
SMU?s explosive offense was on the field for 109 plays in a 45-21 win over Temple. If the Mustangs come anywhere close to that the Cougars are in for a long night, especially with a defense that continues to show signs of improvement but is far from a finished product. Quarterback Shane Buechele has been the catalyst behind SMU?s 7-0 start. The former Texas signal-caller has thrown for 2,122 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is surrounded with playmakers, among them the 1-2 receiving punch of James Proche (54 catches, 609 yards, 8 TDs) and Reggie Roberson Jr. (42 catches, 795 yards, 6 TDs) and running back Xavier Jones (751 yards, 12 TDs). Holgorsen played Texas twice when Buechele was the quarterback and recalls a "gritty and competitive kid.? When Buechele announced his decision in the offseason to transfer to SMU, Holgorsen said: ?I knew that he could be the difference in SMU?s season.? Might be a good time for the Cougars? No. 22-rated rushing attack to control the clock.
Avoid mistakes
UH has been one of the nation?s least penalized teams this season. Through seven games, UH has been penalized an average 4.9 times per game, which ranks second in the American Athletic Conference and tied for 14th nationally. UH is also coming off a turnover-free game win the 24-17 win at UConn.
Climbing the draft board
It?s been a patchwork offensive line at times this season, but the one constant has been senior Josh Jones. The 6-7, 310-pound left tackle was named to the Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American team. Just how high his stock continues to rise is evident by a recent CBS Sports NFL mock draft, which has Jones going to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 9 overall pick.
Duarte?s prediction: SMU 42, Houston 24
Season record: 4-3
:0008 I look forward to your conclusions on this game, Box.
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