Houston-Rutgers
Time: Noon ET, Oct 26, 2013
Spread: RUT -7
M/L: RUT -255; HOU +215
O/U: 61

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Houston suffered its first loss of the season last week to BYU, falling by one point in regulation, as BYU scored on an 11-yard TD to edge the Cougars out. Still, Houston is 5-1 on the season and sports a 2-0 record in AAC play and this will mark its third AAC matchup against the favored Rutgers.

College football oddsmakers at Bovada favor the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers by 7-points in this matchup, while also setting the total high at 61 points. Rutgers has struggled defensively at times this season and is allowing 27 points per game, while Houston is only slightly better at 23.7 points per game. Both schools have potent offenses, though, so to see a score in the upper 30s won’t be surprising.

Houston has the 18th ranked passing offense in the nation, generating 312.3 yards per game. John O’Korn has thrown 115 of 190 for 1,494 yards on the year with 14 TDs and just 4 INTs. Deontay Greenberry has 50 receptions on the year and five TDs, while Daniel Spencer has 25 receptions and five TDs, as well. The rush offense has been reasonably productive, with Ryan Jackson being the featured back. Jackson has been solid, yet unspectacular, with 90 carries for 452 yards and four TDs.

Rutgers doesn’t generate an overwhelming amount of yardage, but it has an efficient offense in the red zone and thus averages 35 points per game, good for 38th in the nation. Its pass offense produces 240.7 yards per game and the Scarlet Knights get 151.7 via the rush. The defense has been mediocre, though, and it allowed 52 points to both SMU and Fresno State. The chance is there that the Scarlet Knights aren’t even fit to matchup against the lowly Houston squad, but the Cougars do have an offense that can give even good “Ds” some problems.

HOU Betting Trends:

4-0 ATS in last 4 after allowing more than 280 yards passing in previous game; 4-0 ATS in last 4 after allowing more than 450 total yards in previous game; 4-0 ATS in last 4 following a bye week.

RUT Betting Trends:

UNDER 6-0 in last 6 following SU loss; 5-1 ATS in last 6 after accumulating less than 275 total yards in previous game; 8-2 ATS in last 10 following a bye week.

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