Matthew Lowrimore – Last Updated on November 21, 2022 3:28 pm
Free Week 9 Prediction: Mustangs vs. Cougars Odds
Looking for SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars free picks? Week 9 betting sees the Mustangs taking on the Cougars Thursday October 24th at Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions like this SMU Houston Week 9 free pick.
College Football Handicapping: Week 9
(7-0) SMU Mustangs vs. Houston Cougars (3-4)
Date: Thursday, October 24th
Time: 7:30 pm EST
Venue: Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston, Texas
NCAA Football Spread: SMU Mustangs -13.5
NCAA Betting Total: 67.5
Click here to view… CFB ATS Stats & NCAAF Betting Insight for this game!
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Week nine of the college football season will kick off with an American Athletic Conference game between the SMU Mustangs and the Houston Cougars.
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The Mustangs are one of the few remaining undefeated teams, while Houston is just 3-4 and just looking for wins so they can become eligible for a bowl game.
SMU Mustangs
The Mustangs are coming off another blowout win. This time they laid a smack-down on the Temple Owls. The final score to this game was 45-21. With the way the offense is clicking, SMU looks to be the sure winner of the AAC West.
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Speaking of the offense, they are pretty much dominating every team on their schedule. They are averaging 521.1 total yards per game, the 7th best mark in the country. They are also putting up points at will, averaging 44.3 points per game. They have scored 40+ points in every game this season except the opening week, so there is reason to believe they will continue to torch their opponents.
Another point to make is they are outscoring their opponents by an average margin of 17 points. Besides a few scares, their opponents never have a chance in games with this team.
As for the defense, the Mustangs are by no means rock solid. They are allowing an average of 370 yards per game, 54th in the country. Their pass defense is pretty weak, allowing 251.4 yards per game, 92nd in the country, but their run defense is very good, allowing just 118.6 yards per game, 29th in the country.
Luckily for the Mustangs, the Cougars will be looking to run the ball. If the Mustangs can slow down their running game, or make them abandon it completely by going up big, they will win this game easily and move to 8-0.
Houston Cougars
The Cougars season has started to fall apart as they continue to sit below .500 on the season. They just beat UConn by 7. UConn is one of the worst teams in the FBS, so knowing this should give no confidence that the Mustangs will be able to hang with this team.
Starting with the offense, Houston has been able to score some points. They average 30.9 points per game, which ranks 53rd in the nation. The problem with their offense is it is too one-dimensional. They are a terrible passing team, ranking 113th in the country an averaging 172 yards through the air. Their running game however, is gaining an average of 223.4 yards per game, making them a top 25 rushing team in FBS.
Defense for the Cougars have almost been non-existent. They are allowing 470.3 yards per game and 299.9 passing yards per game. Their best defensive stat is their rush defense and they still allow 170.4 yards on the ground per game.
The only way the Cougars have a chance in this game is if they can pressure the quarterback. The SMU quarterback, Shane Buechele, just threw for 457 yards and 6 touchdowns against what is known as a stout Temple defense, so if Houston cannot force mistakes, they are going to be shredded from the opening kickoff.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Southern Methodist are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
- Houston are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against an opponent in the American Athletic Conference conference.
Free Week 9 NCAA Football Pick
SMU is by far the superior team and going on the road is not going to slow them down.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: SMU Mustangs -13.5
The Mustangs offense will prove to be too much for Houston and I think that will be the difference in this game. I like for the Mustangs to easily run up the score and to blow Houston out in their own stadium.
Week 9 Free Score Prediction: SMU 45 – Houston 21
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