coming up with Houston. Both teams with somewhat mobile but not thoroughly tested QB's. Both teams with running back threats. Both teams coming off seasons with suspect defenses against the run and hoping to do a lot better in that department. Losman may have a very small edge because of being older and having more game experience from previous starts than the Houston QB. Tulane's linebacker problems could give an edge to Houston, however. Still, all signs point to a very close matchup.
You have to give the edge to Tulane and JP with QB experience though. He has played in 14 games in his 3 years at Tulane with 3 starts and 1500 total passing yards. UH's QB, while impressive, is making his second start and playing in his second game.
UH's defense held Rice to 87 yards passing but I could hold Rice's wishbone offense to 87 yards passing. If Tulane can spread the ball to Roydell, Tristan, Carl and Hoover it'll be a long night for Cougar fans!
It could be a high-scoring game with both teams having defenses that didn't do too well last year. Houston did a good job stopping Rice's attack. However, by all accounts, Rice is in a rebuilding year like TU has been lots of times and wihle the Wave defense looked pretty good for about 3 quarters against Southern, of course, they're a lower classification program. Lots of questions. Is Baker going to be OK or not? Might Simpson be better after getting the game experience?
I've always heard Houston as one of the worst in I-A -- you guys didn't like close to that when I saw you play on ESPN.
Has Houston done a 180 or something?
You should pose that question at the end of the season.
Not much doubt they're better. Moreover, as some TU fans are probably thinking, it's not that hard for Houston to make themselves better in short order. A private school, like Tulane, like Rice, is usually very dependent on having lots of seniors, and it's a little harder to make a quick turnaround. Fortunately, this year Tulane does have some capable seniors playing defense. So, both teams may be improved. A close game figures to happen.
I think that it will come down to two things, who has the best field goal kicker (tulane) and who scores last.
The Green Wave by 3 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />
Guys, Guys, Guys
Whoever scores more wins
to add more to that....
I wouldn't put too much stock into Houston shutting down Rice's offense because Rice runs the wishbone and they lost almost all of their starters from last year. Just like I wouldn't put too much stock into Tulane's offensive performance (37 points 450 yards) since Frank didn't open up the playbook.