Two of the nation’s top passing offenses are set to meet at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday, as the No. 25 University of Houston Cougars (6-4, 4-2 AAC) head to take on the East Carolina University Pirates (6-4, 3-3 AAC). The Pirates are six-point favorites, and the total is 67.5.Houston is coming off a 43-36 win over Temple at TDECU Stadium last Saturday.
Clayton Tune was 29 of 40 for 289 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Stacy Sneed ran 11 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Nathaniel Dell caught 12 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. East Carolina lost 27-25 to Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium last Friday. Holton Ahlers threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Keaton Mitchell carried 16 times for 112 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Johnson also scored once. He hauled in seven receptions for 123 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Cougars won the only game between the teams last season, a 31-24 overtime victory in October, their third straight win against East Carolina. Clayton Tune threw two touchdowns for Houston. Holton Ahlers tossed two touchdowns for East Carolina.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Cougars are averaging 37.4 points per game for the season, 16th in FBS, and they are facing a Pirates defense that has surrendered 23.6 PPG (45th). Meanwhile, East Carolina has scored 31.8 points a game this season, 44th in the country, and Houston is allowing 36.2 PPG (123rd).
The Cougars rank as one of the nation’s top teams in passing yards per game (303.2, 15th), while they are 68th in rushing yards (151.3). The Pirates are 109th in passing yards allowed per game (263.2) and 35th against the run (125.9).
East Carolina has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 295.8 passing yards per game (16th), while ranking 53rd in rushing yards (170.1). Houston’s defense has been beatable through the air, as the Cougars are 129th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (291.5). Against the run, the Cougars are 70th (149.7).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, Clayton Tune has thrown for 31 touchdowns (8 INT) and 302.4 yards per game to lead Houston in passing. In five away games this season, he has 19 TDs (5 INT) and an average of 325.2 yards passing.
Stacy Sneed leads the team in rushing with an average of 54.3 yards a game over nine games. He has five touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Nathaniel Dell is the Cougars’ leading receiver with 101.7 yards a game and 13 TDs.
Holton Ahlers has 20 passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 291.9 yards per game through 10 games to lead East Carolina. In six home games this season, he has thrown for 11 TDs (3 INT) and an average of 281.5 yards.
Keaton Mitchell has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 107.6 yards a game through nine games. He has 10 touchdowns. Isaiah Winstead has been the primary target in the Pirates’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 92.4 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Foottball Pick:
Houston (+190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
