SMU @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 18, 2012 ) Houston 42, Southern Methodist 72

Southern Methodist's best opportunity to become bowl eligible could come Friday when the Mustangs visit Houston in an American Athletic Conference matchup. SMU enters the game having won two straight, including Saturday's 16-6 victory at South Florida in which backup quarterback Neal Burcham led two third-quarter scoring drives. The freshman helped the Mustangs overcome the loss of starter Garrett Gilbert, who injured his left knee while sliding on a carry in the second quarter.

Gilbert entered the game leading the nation in total offense at 405.7 yards per game. "That will be iffy," SMU coach June Jones said of Gilbert's status for Friday. "But it's not torn so that means he'll be back." SMU, which has won four of its past five, finishes at home against AAC leader Central Florida.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: N/A

ABOUT SOUTHERN METHODIST (5-5, 4-2 AAC): Burcham was 9-for-18 for 91 yards with a touchdown and an interception against South Florida. Jeremy Johnson has 100 receptions for 1,007 yards (both team highs) as well as six touchdowns for the Mustangs, who have the top passing offense in the AAC (365 yards per game) and are second in the conference in total offense (461.4). Darius Joseph is second on the team in catches with 88 for 738 yards and five TDs, and teammate Keenan Holman leads SMU with eight touchdowns to go with 59 receptions for 930 yards.

ABOUT HOUSTON (7-4, 4-3): The Cougars have lost their last three games to Central Florida, Louisville and Cincinnati by a combined 19 points, and their four losses are by 20 points. Despite being replaced by Greg Ward Jr. in the third quarter of last week's loss to the Bearcats, freshman John O'Korn has had a solid season, completing 59.8 percent of his passes with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Deontay Greenberry leads the conference in receiving yards (1,106) and touchdown catches (10), and is third in the league with 76 receptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Johnson is tied for the national lead in receptions per game (10), and Joseph was fourth at 8.8.

2. Friday's game is the regular-season finale for Houston, which is already bowl-eligible and is projected to play in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 28 in Charlotte, N.C.

3. The Mustangs are last in the AAC in scoring defense, allowing 34.9 points per game.

PREDICTION: Houston 38, SMU 24