Houston Cougars vs
TCU Horned FrogsPredictions & Preview

Struggling Houston Cougars to Face TCU Horned Frogs in Big 12 Conference Matchup

In an upcoming Big 12 Conference matchup, the struggling Houston Cougars with a 1-4 record and 0-2 conference play will face the TCU Horned Frogs, who are 3-2 overall coming off a road win against Kansas. Houston has been unable to score in their last two games, losses to Cincinnati and Iowa State. TCU is the favored team with a -16.5 point spread that has remained unchanged. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. EST. Regardless of the prediction, both teams will be looking to secure a crucial conference win.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cougars +550 | Horned Frogs -750
• Spread: Cougars +16.5 (-110) | Horned Frogs -16.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 51.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that TCU will win straight-up is 88%.

Houston vs TCU Stats

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars have had a challenging season so far, currently holding a 1-4 overall record and a winless 0-2 record in Big 12 play. Their lone win came against Rice in Week 3, but they have since suffered back-to-back losses and have not scored a single point in their last two games. Quarterback play has been a struggle, with Donovan Smith throwing for 681 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. The rushing attack led by Stacy Sneed has also been lacking, with just one touchdown. Despite their offensive struggles, the defense has shown promise, forcing four turnovers this season. The Cougars are currently averaging just 10.4 points per game, ranking dead last in college football. With a power ranking of 116, Houston is ranked 129 in offense, 58 in defense, and are 2-3 against the spread this season.

TCU Horned Frogs Analysis

TCU currently holds a 3-2 overall record, with a 1-1 standing in Big 12 Conference play. They started the season with wins against Stanford and Long Island University, but suffered defeats against UCF and SMU. In their most recent game, TCU secured a 38-27 victory over Kansas. Quarterback Josh Hoover had a standout performance, throwing for 356 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremy Payne's role in the rushing attack is expected to increase based on his performance. Jack Bech leads as the top wide receiver for TCU, while safety Jamel Johnson heads the defense with 40 total tackles. TCU is averaging 38.6 points per game and 365 passing yards per game, ranking 21st and 4th respectively. Defensively, TCU is allowing 31 points per game and ranks 107th overall. The team has struggled to cover the spread this season, with a 1-4 record. They have a power ranking of 44 and are #21 for offense and #112 for defense.

Houston Expected to Cover Spread Against TCU Despite Strong Offensive Strategy

The Horned Frogs successfully covered their first spread of the season in a close matchup against Kansas last week, narrowly overcoming their underdog status by one point. However, it is doubtful that TCU will cover the spread in their upcoming game where they are heavily favored. Historically, they have struggled to cover spreads in previous games despite having a solid offensive strategy. Conversely, Houston's offense has been lackluster, but their strong defense has consistently kept them in contention throughout the season. Anticipated to be a low-scoring game, TCU may face challenges with quickly accumulating points. While Houston's rushing attack and defense may keep them in the game, they are unlikely to secure a victory but will likely cover the spread. Therefore, it is advised to consider selecting Houston to cover in this game.

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