The high flying offense of the Houston Cougars faces the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in non conference action. The Cougars overwhelmed North Texas 48-23 in week two while La Tech needed overtime to take down Central Arkansas 48-42.
　
The Cougars might have throttled North Texas a week ago but it was a nail bitter heading in to the break with only a 20-17 lead. The defense stiffened in the second half while QB Case Keenum and the receiving corps continued their aerial assault. Keenum (26-41/458) threw for five touchdowns while 13 different receivers caught balls of the short, intermediate or long variety. The ground game was thrown a bone also with Michael Hayes (13-76) leading the backfield to 127 yards. Of course, running the ball is not this team’s specialty with good reason as the passing attack is one of the best in the country. The worry has to be on the defensive side of the ball even though the Mean Green totaled just 290 yards. This unit has been known to get involved in their share of shootouts so a wary eye has to be kept on them at all times.
　
It might be another strange year for Louisiana Tech fans as the team needed overtime to beat sub division Central Arkansas after having Southern Mississippi on the ropes in a two point defeat in week one. The Bulldogs offense did as expected with 542 total yards by any means desired. Nick Isham (22-37/318) still has issues connecting with his receiving corps be it inaccuracy or drops but when he did hook up it was for big yards. Isham finished with a pair of scoring tosses and an interception but much of his success was because the offense was balanced with the rushing attack giving La Tech 221 yards at five yards a shot with Lennon Greer (32-177) getting plenty of room to roam with three scores. The bad news was on the defensive side of the ball that was hit for 445 yards by the UCA offense with 372 yards coming through the air.
　
I’m always hesitant to back Houston because I simply don’t trust their defense as we know Keenum and friends will generally score. Louisiana Tech can be puzzling and just by looking at the first two games we see night and day performances. I’m going with the Cougars but laying a touchdown on the road with teams that change from week to week is not ideal…