Houston vs. Vanderbilt College Football Week 9 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

By Hannah Fields
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TV Schedule: Saturday, October 31, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Stadium: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

Line: Houston (-12)

Even though the Houston Cougars are undefeated, they have only played one school from a Power 5 conference (Louisville in Week 2) and have yet to play a ranked team. It’s not that what they’ve accomplished hasn’t been impressive, only it needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

Although they face a Power 5 team this Saturday, they are not facing a very powerful team. However, in their lone matchup, Vanderbilt came out on top 41-24 in the 2014 BBVA Compass Bowl. Since then, Houston and Vanderbilt have undergone many coaching changes, but Houston enters this year’s matchup the clear favorite.

The Cougars are ranked sixth in the FBS in both points (47.6) and yards (561.1) per game under first-year coach Tom Herman. Junior QB Greg Ward Jr. has been averaging 9.3 yards per attempt and recently broke the single-season rushing touchdown record by a Houston QB with 11 after running for four in their Week 6 win over SMU.

Despite a 3-4 record, Vanderbilt is ranked 22nd in the FBS for points allowed per game with 16.3. However, they have been allowing 316.7 yards per game and are 1-3 in conference play after losses to Georgia, Ole Miss and South Carolina. Their other loss came in Week 1 to Western Kentucky.

However, Vanderbilt could be on an upswing after last week’s 10-3 victory over Missouri which might give the Commodores some confidence coming into this week’s game. But the Commodores are 0-2 against ranked opponents this season (No. 10-ranked Georgia and No. 3-ranked Ole Miss), and it doesn’t seem likely this week’s matchup against the No. 18-ranked Houston will be any different.

Herman has already proven he can beat a former SEC coach in Bobby Petrino of Louisville. Tune in Saturday to see if he can do it against a current one.

Prediction: Houston 42, Vanderbilt 21

Hannah Fields is a Tennessee Titans and SEC Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @hanfran7, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.

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