College Football Betting: UAB vs. Houston Odds: October 9th 2008

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UAB @ Houston o66.5 (-110)
Thursday October 9th ‘08 8:00p - Click Here for Odds

Tonight the UAB Blazers will take on a Conference USA rival in the Houston Cougars. Both of these teams have shown an ability to move the ball against lesser defenses, so, we are going with the over 66.5 game total.

Houston has continued to display a potent offense even with the departure of former coach Art Briles to Baylor. The Cougars are averaging 37.2 points per game and 545.2 yards per game. They have a particularly effective passing game with sophomore quarterback Chase Keenum leading the way. Keenum has thrown 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions; he also boasts an impressive 150 passer rating. The Cougars are posting a staggering 399 passing yards per game and they are also averaging 7.5 yards per pass.

UAB, while not possessing the same high powered offense that Houston does, can put points on the scoreboard. They are averaging 24.5 points per contest, but if you remove their efforts against two of the better defenses in the country (Tennessee and South Carolina) that average jumps to 32.75. And make no mistake, Houston’s defense is not anywhere near the class of the Volunteers or the Gamecocks.

This match-up is tailor made to be a scoring fest. Each team’s defensive weakness is their opponents’ offensive strength. UAB is very effective in the running game (174.2 rushing yards per game) and Houston cannot stop the run (212.3 rushing yards per game allowed). Houston, as mentioned, can throw the ball all over the field and UAB cannot stop the pass (283.2 passing yards per game allowed and 8.8 yards per pass allowed). Both teams could easily crest the 30 point mark (Houston definitely will) and a total in the high seventies or low eighties would not surprise me at all.

Things to consider: Houston put up 621 yards and 41 points on East Carolina last week despite turning the ball over four times. The Over is 7-2-1 the last four years when Houston played as a home favorite coming off of a win. Courtesy of Matt Foust