Southern Miss @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2010 ) Houston 41, Southern Mississippi 59

THE STORY: Led by record-setting quarterback Case Keenum, No. 6 Houston can become the first Conference-USA team to earn a BCS bowl berth if it can beat No. 23 Southern Miss in the conference championship game. The West Division champion Cougars are making their third C-USA title game appearance, having won at home in 2006 and lost at East Carolina in 2009. The East Division champion Golden Eagles are seeking their first conference title since 2003. Southern Miss leads the all-time series 8-5, including a 59-41 home win last season.

TV: ABC. LINE: Houston -13

ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS (10-2, 6-2 C-USA): The Golden Eagles won 10 games for the first time in 23 years and just the third time in school history. Senior QB Austin Davis needs 77 yards to break his own school record for single-season passing. He set the current mark of 3,128 as a freshman. Running back Jamal Woodyard is averaging 6.4 yards a carry. Southern Miss ranks second in the conference in scoring (36.9) and points allowed (20.5). If the game is close, kicker Danny Hrapmann could make the difference; he’s made 11 of his last 12 field goals.

ABOUT HOUSTON (12-0, 8-0 C-USA): The Cougars have been unstoppable at home, outscoring opponents 323-106. Houston is averaging 613 total yards and 52.7 points. Keenum is the NCAA career leader in every major passing category and needs 274 passing yards to become the first college player with three 5,000-yard seasons. Junior college transfer D.J. Hayden has sparked Houston’s opportunistic defense, which gives up 20.9 points. The corner has two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

EXTRA POINTS
1. Southern Miss has returned seven interceptions for touchdowns, tying a school record.
2. Houston has 100 plays of 20-plus yards, most in the nation.
3. The Cougars boast their their highest ranking since Nov. 3, 1990, when they were ranked No. 3.

PREDICTION: Houston 48, Southern Miss 31 – The Cougars delight their sellout crowd with another offensive show.