UCF Knights vs. Houston Cougars Betting Preview
Where: TDECU Stadium — Houston, TX
When: Saturday, October 29, 2016, 12:00 PM ET
Line: UCF Knights (+9) vs. Houston Cougars (-9); total: 58.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPNU
Writer’s Pick: Houston Cougars (-9)
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Betting on the UCF Knights (+9)
UCF improved to 4-3 after winning over UConn last weekend, 24-16. Quarterback McKenzie Milton didn’t look like a freshman at all there, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns with zero picks. He’s going to have to continue playing mistake-free football if the Knights want to shock us with an upset over the Cougars this coming Saturday.
Besides that, most are aware that the Knights mostly live and die through their passing game. They have several savvy and speedy receivers who can prove to be troublesome against any program across the nation. To name a few, there’s the pair of Tre’Quan Smith and Jordan Atkins, who both have combined for 638 yards on 38 catches and five touchdowns.
However, mainly relying on the pass might not be enough to get the W for UCF. A balanced attack will be needed, so expect the Knights to do some work on the ground—an area where they’ve found inconsistent success this season. Nonetheless, Dontravious Wilson, who has a team-high of 371 rushing yards with seven scores, better wreak some havoc on Houston’s sturdy defense.
UCF is 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in its previous five games on the road.
Betting on the Houston Cougars (-9)
Tom Herman’s priorities seem to be elsewhere. If not, well, then that leaves many of us wondering on what’s troubling the Houston Cougars, who are no longer looking like a team that was undefeated through the first five weeks of the season.
Houston’s now lost two of its last three games, the most recent of which was a 38-16 loss to SMU in the past weekend. The Cougars’ supposedly fearsome running game was pretty much non-existent in that setback, accumulating just 62 yards. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. struggled on the ground, gaining only three yards on 17 carries.
The Houston defense hasn’t also been its usual almost-impervious self, allowing 38 or more points in each of the previous three weeks. Getting their rushing game going against UCF won’t be easy, as the Knights, on average, are yielding just 23.7 points per contest this season.
A trip back home, though, could be what the Cougars need to relocate their formidable selves. They’re 10-0 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games at TDECU Stadium.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston (-9) wins, but fails to cover.
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