2007 Texas Bowl Preview

Houston (8-4, 6-2; CUSA) vs. TCU (7-5, 4-4; Mountain West)

December 28, 2007 @ 8 PM (EST) – NFL Network – Reliant Stadium – Houston, TX

When the season began, TCU planned on accomplishing what Hawaii was able to—earn a berth in a BCS bowl. However, after going 7-5 overall and .500 in the Mountain West Conference, the Horned Frogs are more than happy to just be going bowling.

Gary Patterson’s club is making its ninth bowl appearance in ten seasons and will face a familiar foe. TCU will tee it up with in-state rival and former Southwest Conference then Conference USA brother Houston. The two programs have met 25 times through the years and UH holds a 13-11 all-time edge. However, the Cougars have currently fallen seven consecutive times to the Horned Frogs.

Since the regular season finale’ versus Texas Southern, head coach Art Briles bounced for Baylor and current co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma Kevin Sumlin will take over in 2008. However, Sumlin will remain with the Sooners through this season and Kevin Thurmond will be the interim head coach during the Texas Bowl.

The Cougars, who won the 2006 CUSA title, contended this season; however, they came up short after suffering a late season 56-7 blowout loss at Tulsa.

Don’t let that score fool you, as Houston ranked fourth nationally in total yards (513 per game) and 17 th in scoring (36.3 points per game)—possessing one of the nation’s most explosive units.

While the Cougars certainly missed the consistency of four-year starting quarterback Kevin Kolb, they received solid contributions from the duo of Blake Joseph and Case Keenum. They combined to pass for over 3,200 yards and 22 touchdowns. Both are dual threats, but particularly the Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Keenum. He has rushed for 414 yards and nine scores.

They have the luxury of throwing to wideouts like Donnie Avery and Jeron Harvey. Avery, who ranks fifth nationally in receiving yards with 1,336, hauled in 81 balls and seven went for scores. He is also an extremely dangerous kickoff return man. Harvey has 51 catches for 609 yards. Tight end Mark Hafner and running back Anthony Alridge also have 40-plus receptions for over 400 yards each.

Alridge, who is nicknamed “Quick Six”, provides Houston with a very balanced attack and has rushed for 1,568 yards. He averages 6.4 yards per carry and has reached the end zone 14 times. He isn’t the only Cougar that will hurt you on the ground, as Terrance Ganaway has churned out 550 yards (5.1 per carry).

While the Horned Frogs offense doesn’t possess the potency of Houston’s, they’ve shown they can roll up impressive numbers also. Gary Patterson’s offensive unit, which is led by redshirt freshman signal-caller Andy Dalton, posted 45 points and 694 yards in a 45-33 victory over San Diego State to conclude the regular season.

TCU’s Dalton has connected on 59 percent of his throws while throwing for 2,210 yards. However, he did throw as many interceptions as touchdowns—ten. His top target is senior Ervin Dickerson, who has 37 receptions for 457 yards and four scores.

The Horned Frogs have run the ball effectively as well. They average 169 yards per contest and are currently led by sophomore Joseph Turner. Turner, who has 587 yards (5.2 per carry) on the year, rushed for 226 yards and four scores versus the Aztecs.

TCU has a stingy defense and is surrendering only 109 yards per game on the ground. The unit, which allows only 19.2 points per game, allows 320 yards and has sacked opposing quarterbacks 36 times.

On the other hand, the Cougars give up nearly 30 points per game. They’ll need defensive end Phillip Hunt and linebacker Rocky Schwartz to have their typically strong games. Hunt led CUSA with 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles behind the line. He also ranked first nationally among defensive linemen with ten pass break-ups. Schwartz has totaled 87 tackles.

Can Houston win its first bowl game since 1980? If the Cougars are going to do so, they will be forced to do it without three of their usual offensive minds, as head coach Art Briles and his co-offensive coordinators are already in Waco.

TCU’s defense has faced a variety of high-powered offensive attacks and will certainly face another one in this one. It will face one of the most challenging combinations in Alridge and Avery, but these Horned Frogs—who’ve lost four of their games by five touchdowns or less—will likely have enough to get past the transitioning Cougars. Defensive end Chase Ortiz and company will apply enough pressure to the UH signal-callers to slow down their high-octane attack.

TCU 31 - Houston 27

Find more 2007-2008 College Bowl previews at College Sports Fans.