The Issue: The Cougars’ season depends on them winning the Bayou Bucket.
It’s crucial by Ronnie Turner
True. A loss to Rice drops Houston’s Conference USA record to 1-2, and elevates the Owls’ conference mark to 2-0. That could ultimately prevent the Cougars from winning the C-USA West Division and repeating as conference champions.
Let’s face it: A loss to this downtrodden team would be demoralizing for any school, especially Houston. Rice (1-4, 1-0 C-USA) is tied with Tulsa for the nation’s 116th-worst scoring defense, having allowed 40.8 points per contest. The Owls also rank 111th in total defense (475.2 yards per game) and 112th in total offense (276.4 yards per game).
They’re simply not that good.
Still, Rice will put up a tough fight in Saturday’s game and attempt to extend Houston’s losing streak to three games. Should the Cougars (2-3, 1-1) allow this to happen, it could be a sign of more bad things to come.
Grade: A+
Down with Ronnie by Eli Jabbe
A loss to Rice would drop Houston’s conference record to 1-2 and would make Rice’s record 2-0? Thanks for stating the obvious, Ronnie. I always thought you were a writer;
Though you have some valid points, it’s not true that a Houston loss would wreck their season. Yes, a Houston win would be great, because 1) it’s a win, 2) it’s a win, 3) it’d snap their losing streak and 4) the crosstown rivalry involved. However, there are still plenty of games left in the season, so this early-season game, in the scope of Houston’s season as a whole, isn’t quite as crucial as you have hyped it up to be.
I don’t get how you mention the Owl’s poor stats and say they are trash, and then turn around and say they’ll "put up a tough fight." What are you implying, Professor Turner? That the Cougars suck too? Your argument is going in too many directions; make up your mind.
Grade: B –
Go. Fight. Win. by Chief Achilefu
True. The Cougars must win this game to remain relevant in the Conference USA picture. Rice may be all kinds of terrible on paper, but guess what? They’re looking down at UH in the conference standings.
Eli, this team and program are way past the "we’ll-get-’em-next-Saturday" mentality. No one wants to hear that there are still plenty of games left in the season.
If the Cougars lose, it will be difficult for them to rebound – especially with their following two games on the road against UAB and UTEP. Neither of those teams has lost at home this season.
I expect the Cougars to be well prepared and ready to play. UH hung in there with Alabama and almost pulled out the win. Rice was the beneficiary of seven Southern Miss turnovers and still only won by two points. The Cougars need to establish their dominance early in this one.
Grade: B
UH vs. Rice – not a good move Judge Dredd
Saturday’s game is going to be like that movie Biker Boyz, except there will be no motorcycles, no Meagan Good in tight-fitting outfits and no illegal street racing.
Wait, it’s not like Biker Boyz at all. Man, this would make a bad movie.
Well, at least it should make for good football.
This is how Judge Dredd sees it: we’ve got one inconsistent, underachieving team (UH), and another squad that was overmatched and out-coached in its first four contests of the year. Both will walk onto John O’Quinn Field with their seasons at risk.
If the Cougars fail to come out of it with a win they’ll still have a chance at a bowl game, considering the line drawn between the worst and best teams in C-USA is vague. But the fans would consider the loss a dagger to the heart.
Plus 20,000 cheering students and alumni who have been there the first two games won’t show up for a losing team.
Verdict: Ronnie wins
Facetime: Eli and Chief, just give up already. You can’t get on my level.
