SMU at Houston College Football Picks & Predictions 10/7/2017

Saturday, October 7, 2017

TDECU Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The SMU Mustangs head to TDECU Stadium to play the Houston Cougars on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 8.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 63.5. The Mustangs are 5-0-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 4-1-0. The Cougars are 2-2-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 0-4-0.

Valuable SMU Mustangs Betting Trends

The SMU Mustangs are 4-1-0 against the over/under

The SMU Mustangs are 5-0-0 against the spread

Important Houston Cougars Betting Trends

The Houston Cougars are 0-4-0 against the over/under

The Houston Cougars are 2-2-0 against the spread

Key SMU Mustangs Injuries

10/01/17 OL Jacob Todora Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Houston U
10/01/17 DB Jordan Wyatt Shoulder "?" Saturday vs. Houston U
09/20/17 DE Mason Gentry Back out indefinitely
09/12/17 DB Cedric Lancaster Elbow out indefinitely
08/20/17 OL Braylon Hyder Left Team out for season
08/20/17 OL Jerry Saena Left Team out for season

Key Houston Cougars Injuries

10/01/17 CB Alexander Myres Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. SMU
10/01/17 S Collin Wilder Knee "?" Saturday vs. SMU
10/01/17 DT Ed Oliver Knee "?" Saturday vs. SMU
09/28/17 DB D.J. Small Undisclosed out for season
09/08/17 OL Alex Fontana Foot out for season
08/16/17 DE Jerard Carter Foot out indefinitely
08/16/17 OL Kameron Eloph Back out indefinitely
08/16/17 RB Kevrin Justice Ankle out indefinitely
08/16/17 WR Marquez Stevenson ACL out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The SMU Mustangs are 2nd in the country in points scored with 241. They have run 380 plays this year for 2,499 yards, which ranks them 13th in Division 1 in total offense. The Mustangs average 6.6 yards per play, which is 28th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 123 1st downs this season, ranking them 14th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground SMU has run for 998 yards as a unit, which ranks 28th in college football. They've run 207 times, averaging 4.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Mustangs have been penalized on offense 34 times for 317 yards so far this year, which has them 31st in the country in penalties. Ben Hicks has passed for 995 yards this year. He's completed 62 throws while attempting 127 passes for a completion percentage of 48.8%. His quarterback rating this season is 135.9. He averages 8.3 adjusted yards per throw and 7.8 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

SMU is 102nd in the country in points surrendered on defense with 151. They have given up a total of 2,158 yards on D, which is 109th in D-1. The Mustangs are 103rd in yards per play allowed with 6.1. Opponent offenses have completed 117 throws on 179 attempts against the SMU Mustangs defense this season, ranking them 121st and 113th in the nation. The SMU pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,625 yards in the air, which is 128th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 176 attempts for 533 yards this season, putting them in 37th place in the country against the run. The Mustangs have had 45 penalties for 369 yards on defense this year. That places them 117th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

SMU is 106th in the country in punt returns with 5. They've totaled 22 punt return yards and average 4.4 yards per return, which is 90th in D-1. They have returned 14 kicks for 306 yards on special teams, which puts them 40th in kick return yardage. The Mustangs average 22 yards per kick return and they are 11th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 2,827. The SMU Mustangs have tried 8 field goals this year and made 6, which is 52nd in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 75%. SMU Mustangs kickers have made 91% of their extra points, going 29 for 32 this season. Their punters have accumulated 985 yards on 24 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That ranks them 80th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Cougars have run for 560 yards as a team, which ranks 100th in college football. They've run 136 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Houston Cougars have been penalized on offense 30 times for 278 yards so far this season, which has them 56th in the country in penalties. They are 106th in the nation in points scored with 101. They have run 294 plays this season for 1,682 yards, which ranks them 50th in Division 1 in total offense. Houston averages 5.7 yards per play, which is 69th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 88 1st downs this year, placing them 80th overall as an offensive unit. Kyle Allen averages 7.2 yards per pass attempt and 6.3 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 80 passes on 104 attempts for a completion percentage of 76.9%. His quarterback rating this year is 142.6. He has thrown for 751 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Houston Cougars rush defense has allowed 144 attempts for 623 yards this year, putting them in 53rd place in D-1 against the run. Houston has committed 31 penalties for 250 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 73rd in college football. They are 13th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 59. They have surrendered a total of 1,458 yards on D, which is 38th in the country. The Cougars are ranked 34th in yards per play allowed with 5. Opposing offenses have completed 82 passes on 149 attempts against the Houston defense this season, placing them 57th and 75th in Division 1. The Houston Cougars pass defense has also given up a total of 835 yards through the air, which is 39th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Houston Cougars have attempted 7 field goals this season and made 5, which is 54th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 71%. Houston kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 12 for 12 this year. Their punters have totaled 892 yards on 22 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That places them 89th in Division 1 in punting average. Houston is ranked 75th in the nation in punt returns with 6. They've accumulated 15 punt return yards and average 2.5 yards per return, which is 114th in college football. They have returned 8 kicks for 248 yards on special teams, ranking 64th in kick return yardage. The Houston Cougars average 31 yards per kick return and they are 92nd in the country in all-purpose yards with 1,945.

Who will win tonight's Mustangs/Cougars college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Mustangs +8.5

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