The Houston Cougars (5-3) take on the East Carolina Pirates (2-6) looking to build off last week’s upset of South Florida.
East Carolina is coming off a 33-17 win against BYU two weeks ago after last weeks bye. The Pirates will have to run the table if they want to make a bowl game, making Saturday’s game crucial.
For Houston, a win this week would clinch a bowl game spot, and keep them in contention to win the AAC West.
The Cougars are nothing special on paper, but are certainly exciting to watch. Overall, they’re the 43rd offense and the 91st defense in the country. Although those numbers aer lower than the past couple years, it’s expected in the first year of the Major Applewhite era.
Brace Yourself, Changes Are Coming
It’s somewhat of a transition year for the Cougars, who lost Greg Ward Jr. and coach Tom Herman. Houstons win last week came at cost, running back Duke Catalon and left tackle Josh Jones both left the game with injuries to their ankle and MCL.
Both are questionable for the coming week. In Catalon’s place, Mulbah Car finished with a career-high 137 yards. Even if Catalon is a go this week, Car should get a bigger role.
At quarterback, D’eriq King took over for Kyle Postma last week, entering in the first quarter, finishing for 12-for-20 with 137 yards and three touchdowns.
East Carolina is no heavy-hitter, so expect the Cougars to use this game to see if King is the answer at quarterback.
On defense, Ed Oliver, arguably the best player in college football and recently nominated Bednarik Award semifinalist, has been slowed by injuries but still has 49 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal.
He broke through last week, with seven tackles and a sack in the shocking win against USF.
Against a weak East Carolina team, Oliver will look to pad his stats on the path to the Bednarik Award. Linebackers Matthew Adams and D’Juan Hines have stepped into their roles beautifully this season, leading the team in tackles, respectively.
East Carolina is led by Duke transfer Thomas Sirk at quarterback. Sirk has thrown for 1,650 yards on the year with nine touchdowns. Six of those have been to wide receiver Davon Grayson. Grayson has shown out this year with 795 yards. Defensively, the Pirates haven’t been great, but a win against BYU boosted their morale. Don’t be surprised if they come out hitting hard and fast in a game the Cougars are favored heavy in.
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