TCU Horned Frogs vs Houston Cougars Prediction, 9/16/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: TCU Horned Frogs vs Houston Cougars

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023

Location: TDECU Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Cougars (+6)

Total/Over-Under: 60.5

The Houston Cougars (1-1) are hosting the TCU Horned Frogs (1-1) at TDECU Stadium on Saturday, September 16, 2023. TCU opens this matchup as 6-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total has been set at 60.5.

The TCU Horned Frogs come into this matchup with a record of 1-1 this season. In their last contest, the Horned Frogs took on the Nicholls State Colonels and walked away with a win by a score of 41-6. Chandler Morris went 26/30 with 263 yds passing and 2 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 182.3 and ended the game without throwing an interception. Emani Bailey was the leader on the ground for the Horned Frogs with 19 totes for 67 yards (3.5 yards per attempt). The TCU Horned Frogs ended up rushing 37 times and amassed 129 yards, earning them an average of 3.5 yards per tote. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 70 plays which converted into 442 yards. TCU allowed 17 pass completions on 36 attempts for a total of 177 yards, and a completion rate of 47.2%. Against the rush, the Horned Frogs gave up 86 yds on 39 attempts, which is 2.2 yards per rush surrendered.

The Horned Frogs have earned 983 total yards this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, TCU has compiled 5 touchdowns via the pass and 5 touchdowns on the ground. They have turned the ball over 4 different times. TCU has accounted for 49 1st downs as an offense, and they have been hurt by 15 infractions for 128 yards. As a unit they have an average of 195.5 yards via the ground game ranking this team at 39th in Division 1. When talking about putting points on the board, the TCU Horned Frogs hold an average of 41.5 points per game.

When talking about passing yardage, the Horned Frogs are allowing 687 yards which has them sitting in 123rd in D-1. They have yielded 343.5 yards per game through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 66.3%. Overall, they have allowed 414.0 yards per outing ranking them 108th in the nation. They have surrendered 4 touchdowns via the pass and 2 touchdowns pounding the rock. Opposing teams are running for an average of 1.9 yards per rush and 70.5 rushing yards per game on the season. Over the course of this season, they have conceded 141 yards via the ground game in 2 games. The Horned Frogs are sitting in 85th in the country when it comes to team defense, conceding 25.5 points per game.

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The Cougars come into this game with a record of 1-1 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Cougars went home defeated by a final of 43-41 against the Rice Owls. Tony Mathis ran the football 8 times for 60 yards, walking away from the game with 7.5 yards per carry for Houston. Donovan Smith (2 TDs) ended the contest with 260 yards on 24/42 through the air while his QB rating was 120.1. He threw 1 pick and his average yards per attempt was 6.2. Houston relinquished 31 rush attempts for 69 yds (2.2 yards per rush). The Cougars pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 66.7%, surrendering 401 yards on 28 out of 42 through the air. The Cougars finished the contest with 443 yds and they ran 81 plays (5.5 yds per play). Houston ran for 4.8 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 183 yds on 38 carries.

When it comes to their scoring prowess, the Cougars are ranking 72nd in Division 1 with an average of 29.0 points per contest. The Houston Cougars average 388.5 yards per game, which has them ranked 73rd in Division 1. The Houston offense has accrued 69 yards of penalties on 9 violations, which has them ranked 95th in D-1 in terms of making mistakes. They have tossed 1 pick while letting opponents recover 0 fumbles and they have recorded 46 1st downs. During the season to this point, the Cougars have compiled 493 passing yards along with holding an average of 246.5 passing yards per contest, which has them sitting 60th in Division 1. They are averaging 142.0 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 284 yards overall.

The Cougars are relinquishing 28.5 points per game, which has them sitting 99th in the nation. Houston has allowed the opposition a total of 277 yards rushing (138.5 yards per contest) as well as 4 touchdowns via the rush so far this year. This year, they have given up 57 points in total. They have given up 4 touchdowns through the air in addition to 305.0 yards per outing, ranking them 119th in Division 1. The Cougars defense has taken the field for 144 plays, which has them ranked 93rd in D-1. Their defense has totaled 1 fumble recovery and 4 picks this season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Horned Frogs -6

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