Recent News | Popular News | Subscribe

FACTS & STATS: Site: Scott Field (52,884) -- Starkville, Mississippi. Television:ESPNU. Home Record: Houston 2-0, MSU 1-2. Away Record: Houston 1-1, MSU 1-1. Neutral Record: Houston 0-0, MSU 0-0. Conference Record: Houston 0-1, MSU 1-2. Series Record: Houston leads, 8-6.

GAME NOTES: The Houston Cougars will try to bounce back from their first loss of the season, as they square off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in non-conference play this weekend.

The Cougars kicked off a three-game road trip in disappointing fashion last weekend, dropping a 58-41 decision at Texas-El Paso. It was a crucial loss when considering it was the team's league opener and the setback also dropped Houston from No. 12 to out of the Top 25. Houston had made its first appearance in the Top 25 since 1991 after knocking off then fifth-ranked Oklahoma State and it climbed into the Top 15 following a triumph over Texas Tech. The Cougars though, met their match against a 1-3 UTEP club and will now try to rebound in their final non-conference bout of the regular season.

As for MSU, it faced its second nationally-ranked team in a row last weekend and once again came up short, falling 42-31 to Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs, who were narrowly defeated by LSU (30-26) the prior weekend, now sit at just 2-3 overall and are set conclude a three-game homestand this weekend.

MSU and Houston are meeting for the 15th time and the third in the last six years. The Cougars hold an 8-6 edge in the series, as they have won six of the last seven meetings with the Bulldogs.

Despite the loss to UTEP, Houston's offense continued to shine and finished the game with 644 total yards. It was certainly a large amount of yards gained, but not that surprising of a total considering the Cougars are averaging an eye-popping 573.2 total ypg on the season. Quarterback Case Keenum is a huge reason for the unit's success and he is one of the top passers in the nation, averaging 424.0 ypg through the air. He has 16 total touchdowns (13 passing) to his credit and has completed 68.6 percent of his tosses with only two picks in 210 attempts. Those are pretty impressive numbers and he had a career game in the loss to UTEP, converting 51-of-76 pass attempts for 536 yards and five scores. James Cleveland came through with 14 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyron Carrier had 11 catches for 115 yards and a score. Four different players have caught over 20 passes already for Houston, with Cleveland's 30 receptions leading the way. The Cougars may not be all that dedicated to the run, but they do have a talented back in Bryce Beall. The versatile back fits perfectly in this offense since he is a solid pass catcher with 14 receptions, 279 rushing yards and six total touchdowns to his credit.

On the defensive side of the ball is where Houston needs a lot of improvement, as the group has struggled early on and is allowing 440.5 total ypg, including 204.8 ypg on the ground. Facing a struggling UTEP club last weekend, the Cougars were torched for 581 total yards, with 305 those yards coming via the run. The defense allowed UTEP to average 7.4 yards per carry and score five rushing touchdowns, meanwhile the unit came up with no sacks or turnovers. On the season, Houston has managed just one interception and five sacks, two areas that needs serious improvement. Marcus McGraw leads the defense with 47 stops and he is coming off an eight-tackle performance in last weekend's setback.

The Bulldogs were able to move the ball on GT last weekend, gaining 487 total yards, but they set themselves back with costly mistakes, turning the ball over five times. MSU, which committed four turnovers the prior week against LSU, lost four fumbles and that negated much of its 209 rushing yards. The Bulldogs are averaging 205.0 rushing ypg this season behind tailback Anthony Dixon, who has now rushed for 427 yards after his 106-yard effort last weekend. The team could use a little more consistency under center, however, and Tyson Lee showed some promise against GT, completing 20-of-30 tosses for 278 yards with a touchdown and interceptions. Lee has thrown just three touchdowns against four picks on the year, but last weekend's effort was encouraging. Chad Bumphis turned in his best effort of the year against Tech, as he pulled in six balls for 123 yards and touchdown. He now leads the team with 16 catches and three touchdown receptions.

MSU was heavily focused on stopping Georgia Tech's ground attack last weekend and the defense apparently forgot about the Yellow Jackets' passing game, allowing three plays of over 50 yards through the air. The defense was torched for 266 yards on 11-of-14 pass attempts and the unit didn't exactly fare well against the run either, allowing 213 yards and four scores on the ground. It was clearly a disappointing effort by the Bulldogs, who are holding foes to only 336.4 total ypg on the season. Pernell McPhee led the way for MSU last weekend, as he recorded 11 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, a forced fumble and sack. A solid pass rusher, McPhee paces the Bulldogs with five TFLs and 2.5 sacks on the year.

The Bulldogs' pass defense had been good until last weekend and the secondary will be tested even more by Houston's electric attack. Keenum and company can sure put up the points, but the Bulldogs should be able to abuse the Cougars' suspect defense and capture the victory at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Mississippi State 35, Houston 31