• Conference: Conference USA.
• Record: 7-0 (3-0).
• Ranking: No. 18 in Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.
• Coach: Kevin Sumlin (30-16 in four seasons).
• Last week: Beat Marshall 63-28 at Robertson Stadium.
• Series history: Houston leads 26-11.
• Last meeting vs. Rice: Rice won 34-31 on Oct. 16, 2010, at Rice Stadium.
• Players to watch: QB Case Keenum became the NCAA leader in career offensive yardage (17,173) in Saturday’s win over Marshall. This season, Keenum has completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 2,685 yards, 23 touchdowns and only two interceptions. … RB Michael Hayes leads with the team in rushing with 384 yards and is tied with six touchdowns. … RB Charles Sims has 330 rushing yards and six touchdowns. … WR Patrick Edwards has 44 receptions for 751 yards and six touchdowns. … WR Tyron Carrier has 46 receptions for 553 yards and three touchdowns. … LB Sammy Brown leads C-USA in tackles for loss (16.5) and is second in sacks (7.5). … LB Marcus McGraw is fifth in conference with 72 tackles. … K Matt Hogan has converted all 46 extra-point attempts and is 5-of-7 on field goals for a C-USA-best 61 points this season.
• By the numbers: The Cougars are off to a 7-0 start for the third time in school history. The other times were 1979 and 1990. … This marks the ninth time the Cougars have been ranked entering the Bayou Bucket game. They have won all nine meetings. … The 26 wins over the Owls are the most by UH against any school. … The Cougars’ ranking is the highest in a game against their cross-town rivals since being ranked No. 13 in 1990. … UH has outscored opponents 175-31 in the last three home games. … Of their scoring drives this season, 27 have taken two minutes or less. … The Cougars lead C-USA in most major offensive statistical categories, including scoring (49.3), total offense (606.1) and passing offense (441.7). … They lead the conference with 11 interceptions and are tied with 19 sacks.
• Roster | Schedule | Statistics
Related links:
• UH blog (Sam Khan Jr.)
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