Houston Cougars @ Oregon Ducks Preview

Defending C-USA Champion Cougars kickoff season against Pac-10's Oregon Ducks

Date: Saturday, September 1st

Based on reputation alone, when you hear that Houston and Oregon are playing, it’s natural to think that this game would be a slaughter and one could understand why Oregon is favored by 16.

Reality, statistics and recent history tell a very different story; a story of two very evenly matched teams facing similar preseason questions. Recall that in 2005, a good Oregon team came to Houston to face a mediocre Houston squad, who took a 21-20 lead into the third quarter. The Ducks went on to win that game, 38-24, but the Cougars gave them all they could handle. It was in that game that a sophomore named Anthony Alridge—the same Anthony Alridge that rushed for 959 yards on 95 carries in 2006—caught his first career touchdown pass.

Joseph and Pena are still waiting to hear who will get the start at QB

"Are we underdogs? Wild! Were just going to go up there and play our game. They have to play us just like we have to play them so I don't see us as underdogs.," Alridge said.

Both the Cougars and the Ducks go into the season opener with serious question marks at quarterback. Much to Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti’s dismay, Sr. QB Dennis Dixon spent his offseason pursuing a professional baseball career rather than working out with the team. Last year’s 7-6 Oregon squad worked mostly on a platoon between Dixon and fellow Sr. QB Brady Leaf.

The Cougar lost their all-time leading passer, Kevin Kolb, to the NFL and head coach Art Briles has yet to decide whether team favorite, redshirt sophomore Blake Joseph or Sr. Oklahoma State transfer Al Pena will get the start. Both Alridge and all-conference cornerback Kenneth Fontenette have stated publicly that the players like Pena, but stand firmly behind Joseph and think he is winning the QB competition.

"I'm just glad we have all three (including RS FR Case Keenum).," said star WR Donnie Avery.

Anthony "Quick-Six" Alridge doesn't see the Cougars as underdogs. Interview with Alridge

Many think Pena would not have transferred if he wasn’t assured a starting role, so Briles faces a choice between making the team happy or keeping a possible promise to a recruit, which could lead to a platoon similar to the Oregon situation.

Number 17 was making a splash at Friday's scrimmage, who ironically stands at 5'10" just like the former number 17, and all-time leader in school receiving yardage, Vincent Marshall. The new kid on the block is WR Teric Williams, who led all receivers in yards with 96. Williams is fast and could be a surprise weapon if he beats out SR Perry McDaniels for the third wide receiver position.

The Cougars led the Ducks in almost every offensive category in 2006, but one has to keep in mind that the Ducks play in the PAC-10 against the likes of USC and Cal each year.

The Cougars come in with a much-improved defense that features extremely talented defensive backs and a monster defensive line headed up by Ell Ash and Phillip Hunt. Many expect this to be the best Cougar defense fielded since the legendary Cougar “Mad Dog” defense of the 70’s.

Cougar Keys to the Game

• Harvey towers over opposing defensive backs at 6-5.

  Score early and often. Autzen Stadium is notoriously rowdy so the Cougars will need to put early points on the board to quiet the crowd.
• Get the ball to Anthony Alridge early and often. This is Alridge’s time to show that he was not a fluke. Oregon will surely plan for the pitch out to Alridge, but as many teams have discovered, no amount of game planning can prepare you for Alridge’s speed.

Final Thoughts and Houston @ Oregon Prediction

If this game were played on a neutral field or in Houston, it would be a coin-flip. These teams are very evenly matched, but Autzen is no place to break in a new QB, so look for the Cougars to lose a close game solely on the basis of home field advantage.

Oregon 17 - Houston 14