Texas State @ Houston preview

Texas State at Houston

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2012 ) Texas State 30, Houston 13

An early-season bye week might be a blessing for Houston as it prepares for visiting Texas State and a powerful offense. The teams enter Saturday's meeting averaging more than 500 yards of offense and tied for 17th at 43 points per game.

"It was much-needed for our guys to take a deep breath (after winning at Louisville)," first-year coach Tom Herman said of the bye week at an early-week press conference. "Hopefully we'll be a lot fresher and have a little bounce in our step." A pair of dual-threat quarterbacks lead these high-powered offenses as Texas State's Tyler Jones and Houston's Greg Ward Jr. lead their teams in rushing and average more than 300 total yards. Ward is backed by a solid defense, ranked fourth in rushing defense (49.5 yards) and allowing 27.5 points. The Bobcats have allowed 59 and 56 points in losses to Florida State and Southern Miss and are giving up 550.3 yards.

TV: 8 p.m., ESPN3. LINE: Houston -16.5

ABOUT TEXAS STATE (1-2): Jones has completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 688 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions and has rushed for 247 yards and three scores. Running backs Robert Lowe (207 yards) and Chris Nutall (122 yards) also have three rushing scores apiece. The Bobcats' top three receivers - Jafus Gaines, Demun Mercer and Brandon Smith - are each averaging at least 13 yards per catch.

ABOUT HOUSTON (2-0): Ward is ranked ninth nationally in total offense, throwing for 511 yards, four touchdowns and one interception and running for 199 yards and two scores. Kenneth Farrow - who has four 100-yard performances in his last five games - adds 158 rushing yards as the Cougars average 246 yards on the ground. Demarcus Ayers has emerged as Ward's favorite target, catching 18 passes for 174 yards and a TD.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Herman announced Monday that OL Ben Dew (toe) would miss the remainder of the season.

2. Houston S Adrian McDonald (15) needs two interceptions to break the school's career record held by Cornelius Price (1988-89).

3. Coach Dennis Franchione, in second stint with the Bobcats, is ranked fourth among active FBS coaches with 211 career wins, trailing Frank Beamer (275), Steve Spurrier (228) and Brian Kelly (219).

PREDICTION: Houston 48, Texas State 27