Southern Methodist @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Houston 45, Southern Methodist 20

THE STORY: Every time it looks like the Houston offense has peaked, it posts a higher score. The 11th-ranked Cougars have a shot at becoming the highest-scoring team in NCAA history, currently averaging 54.7 points. The 1944 Army squad holds the record at 56.0. Houston’s prolific offense has it ranked 11th in the latest BCS standings, putting it in position to earn the first BCS Bowl berth in Conference USA history. Boise State remains ahead of the Cougars at 10th but cannot take the non-automatic qualifier BCS bid because it will likely not win its conference. Houston is virtually assured of the big-money bowl if it wins out. Next up is Southern Methodist, which is bowl eligible for the third straight season and already has a victory over a top-20 team this season. The Mustangs have fallen off a bit with losses in three of their last four and will be looking to play spoiler when they visit Houston.

TV: Fox Sports Network. LINE: Houston -19.5

ABOUT SOUTHERN METHODIST (6-4, 4-2 C-USA): The Mustangs won at No. 20 TCU in overtime on Oct. 1, part of a five-game win streak that raised hopes in Dallas. But SMU has struggled with the elite teams in C-USA, getting blown out by Southern Miss and Tulsa by a combined 55 points. After topping lowly Tulane, the Mustangs allowed 335 rushing yards in a 24-17 home loss to non-conference foe Navy last week.

ABOUT HOUSTON (10-0, 6-0 C-USA): The Cougars have run 268 plays in the last four games and have scored 265 points. Case Keenum is a darkhorse Heisman candidate with 37 touchdowns against three interceptions. He's shattering several career NCAA passing records. Keenum guided Houston to a season-high 735 yards of total offense in last week’s 73-17 triumph over Tulane. Charles Sims rushed for a career-high 207 yards in the rout.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Houston has won its last four home games by an average score of 62-16.

2. Keenum needs six completions to pass Graham Harrell’s NCAA record.

3. Mustangs running back Zach Line leads C-USA in rushing and is one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award.

PREDICTION: Houston 60, SMU 21 -- If any team is going to trip up the Cougars, it will be Tulsa or Southern Miss in a potential C-USA Championship Game.