KU Jayhawks vs. Houston Cougars: Five things to know entering Saturday’s game
Kansas’ football team, which is off to a 2-0 start, needs just one victory the rest of the season to make a lot of bettors happy.
Remember, the Jayhawks, who defeated Tennessee Tech, 56-10, and West Virginia, 55-42, in overtime, had an over-under of 2.5 victories to start the season.
Gamblers that put money on the over collect if the Jayhawks prevail in just one more game (with 10 to go). Those who bet the under have to hope for Jayhawks losses in each of their remaining contests.
The Jayhawks will shoot for win No. 3 on Saturday at Houston. Kickoff is 3 p.m. at TDECU Stadium in Houston.
KU will be trying to open a season 3-0 for the first time since the Mark Mangino era. In 2009, KU won its first five games before losing the last seven in a 5-7 campaign. KU by beating West Virginia on Saturday became the first Jayhawks team since 2011 to open 2-0.
The Jayhawks open as 9.5-point underdogs against Houston.
Early weather reports indicate it’ll be a steamy afternoon with a high of 91 and no rain in the forecast.
THE DETAILS
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: TDECU Stadium, Houston
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WHB (810) in Kansas City; KFH (1240 AM, 97.5 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: Houston by 9.5 points
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. Houston was picked to win the American Athletic Conference in the preseason media poll. The Cougars totaled seven first place votes and 243 points. Cincinnati actually received more firsts (10) en route to 242 points. UCF (seven firsts, 225 points) was third, followed by SMU, Memphis, East Carolina, Tulane, Tulsa, South Florida, Navy and Temple.
2. The Cougars, 1-1, have played a pair of overtime games. First, Houston rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat UTSA, 37-35, in triple overtime at San Antonio. On Saturday, Houston lost to Texas Tech, 33-30, in double overtime in Lubbock. The win in the Alamodome snapped UTSA’s 10-game home winning streak. The Cougars overcame 11 penalties in that game for 75 yards. Houston battled back from a 14-point halftime deficit at Texas Tech. Houston again had 11 penalties, this time for 121 yards.
3. Both KU and Houston had defensive players honored by their conferences Monday. Houston defensive end Derek Parish was named American Athletic Conference defensive player of the week. He set an AAC record with 4.5 sacks in Saturday’s double-OT loss at Texas Tech, KU cornerback Cobee Bryant, who was named Big 12 defensive player of the week, returned an interception 86 yards for a TD that ended KU’s 55-42 overtime win at West Virginia. Bryant also had four tackles and a pass breakup.
4. KU’s ground game has been as productive as advertised through two games. The Jayhawks ballcarriers scored four rushing touchdowns Saturday at West Virginia in KU’s 55-42 OT victory after scoring six in the 56-10 opening win over Tennessee Tech. It adds up to 10 rushing touchdowns through two games, which according to KU is “the most in the first two games to start the season since at least 2000.” The 10 rushing TDs are tied for third most in college football. Minnesota has 12 and Nebraska 11. Air Force also has 10. The Jayhawks are averaging 7.5 yards per carry, which ranks third in the country behind Alabama and Air Force.
Sophomore RB Devin Neal has four rushing TDs with a long run of 80 yards. He also has a TD as a receiver. He’s been a scoring machine with 10 TDs in his last four games played (eight rushing, two receiving). His four rushing touchdowns in 2022 make him the first Jayhawk since Jon Cornish in 2005 with four or more rushing touchdowns in the first two games of the season.
Sophomore RB Daniel Hishaw has three rushing TDs, while sophomore RB Sevion Morrison has one. QBs Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean each have rushed for one TD.
5. KU’s offensive linemen have been playing well. The group that includes Earl Bostick, Dominick Puni, Mike Novitsky, Michael Ford, Bryce Cabeldue and others has looked great through two games. 247sports.com last weekend cited a Pro Football Focus report that indicated in the passing game, KU’s line allowed eight QB pressures and a 26.7% pressure rate vs. WVU. Tennessee Tech produced three pressures and a 16.7% pressure rate against KU in Week 1. KU averaged 5.6 yards per rush and 200 total rushing yards vs WVU.
