UAB at Houston Football Point Spreads

Written by Jimmy Boyd on October 6, 2008

The UAB Blazers take on the Houston Cougars in a Conference USA showdown Thursday night. Houston is the heavy 18-point favorite against the 1-5 Blazers who will be looking to rebound from a last second loss to Memphis last week.

UAB QB Joe Webb is no doubt one of the conferences most exciting talents. Webb rushed for 93 yards and three scores and passed for 235 more yards and another score last Thursday against Memphis, but he also coughed up two fumbles that ultimately cost the Blazers a three-point defeat.

The defeat also deserves some of the heat for the loss as Memphis QB Arkelon Hall picked them apart with with 244 yards and four touchdowns.

The offense has shown that it can score the football against teams of a similar caliber, putting 34 points on the board against FAU, 45 against Alabama State, and 30 last week against Memphis, but the defense has been torched for 33 or more points in 5 of 6 games this season. This side of the football is going to have to play much better this week against an explosive Houston team to have a chance.

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While Webb made some costly mistakes, he also kept the Blazers in the game last week and he is going to have to perform at a high level against Houston for the Blazers to be successful. He has already broken the school record of 465 rushing yards by a QB this season. His dual-threat ability has the potential to give the Cougars plenty of headaches.

Running back Rashad Slaughter rushed for a season high 92 yards against Memphis and can has shown great hands out of the backfield. He also returns kicks. The Blazers need to find a way to get his hands on the ball a little more this week as the Houston defense will be keying on Webb.

UAB has been pretty efficient at scoring the football and were a perfect 5 of 5 on scoring opportunities inside the red zone a week ago. This trend must continue for the Blazers to have any kind of a chance. If you think the Blazers can keep this one close in a shootout, bet UAB at +18 at BetUS.

Houston got right out of the gate with a 55-3 blowout win over Southern and then played with a high-powered Oklahoma State team longer than anyone expected, and actually led at the half. A pair of heartbreaking losses by three points each to Air Force and Colorado State set the Cougars up for a major bounce back game against the No. 23 ranked East Carolina Pirates.

Houston dominated East Carolina with a 41-24 victory and outgained the Pirates by 346 yards. It was Houston’s first win over a ranked team since 1996 and its first road win over a ranked opponent since 1984.

QB Case Keenum was the star, passing for 399 yards and three touchdowns while running back Bryce Beall provided just enough balance with 132 yards rushing and two touchdowns of his own.

Houston’s offense has been among the most explosive in Conference USA, but its defense has been inconsistent, and that is why we see this football team at 2-3, instead of 4-1.

Houston leads the league with 400 passing yards per game and is second in total offensive with 545.2 yards per contest. Here’s the other end of the spectrum. The Cougars rank last in Conference USA in rushing defense, yielding 213.2 yards per game and are tied for last in sacks with just seven through five games.

Houston did beat UAB 49-10 last season on the road, but there’s no doubt that the Blazers are an improved team on the offensive side of the ball. If you think the Cougars have another blowout in them this season, bet Houston at -18 at BetUS.

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