On the whole, SMU never recovered from its 1988 Death Penalty. When the NCAA shut the program down for the 1987 and 1988 season it was indeed a death blow. There have been spurts here and there of College Football betting success, but nothing big or sustained. However, this year the Mustangs are undefeated and ranked 16th in the AP Top 25 Poll. Head coach Sonny Dykes has proven to be a perfect fit on the Hilltop. By contrast, the Houston Cougars have been a major disappointment. New head coach Dana Holgorsen arrived with great fanfare, but it’s a lost season.
SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars
| Date and Time: | Thursday, October 24, 2019, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas |
| SMU vs. Houston TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMU | -13½ (-110) | – | -525 |  |
| Houston U | +13½ (-110) | – | +415 | |
| ||||
SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars Overview
Now SMU has an online betting record of 7-0 straight up, 6-1 vs. the odds, with seven overs. Last week the Mustangs ran Temple off the field in a 45-21 home payout. National metrics have SMU ranked sixth for scoring offense and 68th for points allowed.
Counter to that is Houston’s record of 3-4 both straight up and vs. the odds with three overs. Last week the Cougars barely got past a terrible UConn team in a 24-17 win as 21-point overlays. Overall UH ranks a disappointing 77th for total offense and 120th for defense.
Key Mustangs: QB Shane Buechele (2122 YDS, 64.8 COMP%, 8.5 AVG, 18 TD, 6 INT, 8 SACK, 155.1 RTG), RB Xavier Jones (143 ATT, 751 YDS, 5.3 AVG, 12 TD), WR Reggie Roberson Jr (42 REC, 795 YDS, 18.9 AVG, 6 TD) S Patrick Nelson (45 TACKLES, 7.5 SACKS)
Key Cougars: QB Clayton Tune (308 YDS, 53.2% COMP, 6.6 AVG, 3 TD, 3 INT, 3 SACK, 116.5 RTG), RB Kyle Porter (81 ATT, 448 YDS, 5.5 AVG, 3 TD), WR Marquez Stevenson (29 REC, 445 YDS, 15.3 AVG, 4 TD), PK Dalton Witherspoon (25-25 SP, 9-12 FG)
SMU and Houston vs. The Line
The Mustangs are:
- 5-3 against the spread in their last eight away games
- 4-1 over the total on the road
- 4-6 on the board against Houston
- 3-5 under the total head to head with the Cougars
- 2-7 vs. the odds when playing at American Athletic Conference teams
- 4-5 under the total on the road vs. AAC teams
The Cougars are:
- 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 home games
- 4-5 under the total when playing at home
- 5-7 on the board at home vs. American Athletic Conference teams
- 5-3 over the total when hosting AAC teams
- 4-1 on the board at home against the Mustangs
- 1-5 under the total head to head with SMU
SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars College Football Betting Picks
At the onset of Dana Holgorsen’s arrival was the fact that Houston bragged about firing “8-4 coaches.” This team will be lucky to finish with .500. Meanwhile, SMU is one of the biggest College Football Betting surprises in the country. Sonny Dykes could end up as a national coach of the year. A bowl game beckons on the Hilltop.
SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars College Football Betting Prediction: SMU Mustangs
SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars College Football Betting Score Prediction: SMU 42, Houston 20