– Last Updated on January 25, 2023 3:43 pm
Free Week 8 Prediction: Cougars vs Mustangs Odds
Looking for Houston Cougars vs. SMU Mustangs free picks? Week 8 College football betting sees the Cougars taking on the Mustangs Saturday October 22nd at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 8
6-1 (2-1 V) Houston Cougars vs SMU Mustangs 2-4 (1-1 H)
Date: Saturday, October 22nd
Time: 7:00 pm EST
Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
NCAA Football Spread: Houston -20.5
NCAA Betting Total: 63
Live CFB Odds
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This conference games features a very talented Cougars team going up against an SMU squad struggling to get wins this year.
Houston bounced back from a tough loss to Navy to beat Tulsa last week. SMU is coming off of a bye and currently has lost 3 in a row.
Houston Cougars
Greg Ward has seen his total usage increase with every game this season. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass in the win last week, but did carry the ball 25 times for 142 yards.
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He shouldn’t have to carry the ball that much against a pedestrian SMU defense, so look for him to have 400 total yards and 4 scores.
Talented wide receiver Linell Bonner has been on a tear these last few games.
He is averaging 11 catches for 124 yards per game. He also scored once during this 3 game span. Expect him to have another huge game with 10 catches for 150 yards.
Steven Dubar is the receiver on the other side of the field and while he was pretty quiet against Tulsa (3 catches for only 42 yards), he did have a 3 game scoring streak before that.
I look for him to reach the end zone this week and make key plays early in the contest.
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The Cougars haven’t been able to stop anyone the last two weeks.
Against Tulsa they gave up 365 passing yards and nearly 100 yards on the ground.
If they want to reach the top 10 and still have a shot at a New Years Six bowl they will need to play much better against SMU and avoid the upset.
SMU Mustangs
Ben Hicks put in a solid performance in the loss against Tulsa.
He threw for 258 yards with two touchdowns and did not turn the ball over. He will need to play at his best in this one and I expect him to put up big numbers against the Houston secondary.
Braeden West has been the workhorse back for the Mustangs all season.
He was able to get huge chunks of yardage on the ground against the Hurricanes.
This week he faces a Houston front seven that has been gashed by good running backs and look for him to reach the 100 yard mark for the second straight game.
Corutland Sutton turned it around against the Hurricanes last week.
After being shut down by Temple in the previous game he responded with 8 catches for 98 yards.
He will be a big factor in the passing game all day and if he plays at the game breaking level he has been known for, SMU might be able to keep the game close.
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In the Mustangs four losses this season, they are averaging giving up 40 points per game.
This game won’t be any different as Houston has one of the best quarterbacks in the country, as well as one of the best offensive play callers in head coach Tom Herman.
Look for it to be a long day for the SMU secondary.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- HOU are 23-5-1 ATS in their last 29 road games.
- HOU are 6-2 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
- HOU are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
- Over is 12-3 in SMU last 15 games in October.
- SMU are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 conference games.
- SMU are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games in October.
Free Week 8 NCAA Football Prediction
Houston’s offense scores at will and this one is over by halftime.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Houston ATS
Greg Ward has all day to pick apart the SMU defense and Houston wins easily.
Week 8 Free Score Prediction: Houston 49 SMU 17
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