Utah Vs Houston: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction

Oct 26, 2024, 10:26 AM | Updated: 1:54 pm

KSL Sports

HOUSTON, Tex.– Kyle Whittingham and his Utah football have traveled to Texas for their week nine matchup against the 2-5, 1-3 Hosuton Cougars. Here are some final thoughts on the game and a score prediction on the game.

Once viewed as a ‘gimme’ this game has taken on a completely different feel and level of importance. Both teams are looking for wins to regain positive momentum in their respective campaigns. The Utes enter this desperate for a win after their first three-game losing streak since 2017.

Utah vs Houston

Television: ESPN+

Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV

Radio: ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM

On the road to 𝐇-𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 🚀

🆚 Houston
🏟️ TDECU Stadium
⏰ SAT 10.26 | 5:00PM MT
📺 ESPN+
📻 ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/JS2nHtLzTL

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 21, 2024

Utah vs Houston Records

Records: Utah (4-3, 1-3); Houston (2-5, 1-3)

Last Week: Utah lost to TCU, 13-7; Houston lost to Kansas 42-12

Series History: Houston and Utah have not played since 1978 but the Cougars enter this one with a 4-0 all-time series lead.

Three Game Day Thoughts

1. Preparing for Zeon Chriss and Donovan Smith

Utah isn’t the only Big 12 program working through quarterback change, Houston is going through their own changes. Donovan Smith was a solid quarterback for the Cougars last season but has largely struggled this year under Willie Fritz.

That’s led to Zeon Chriss playing and taking control of the starting job. He looked fantastic against the Horned Frogs two weeks ago. In their 30-19 win over TCU, Chriss completed 15-of-18 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, while adding 97 yards and one more score on the ground.

Chriss gives Houston potential in the read option. He’s an athlete who has totaled 205 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries. He’s forced 17 missed tackles, so the defense has to be prepared for that.

However, a hamstring injury against Kansas last week forced him out of that one early. According to reports, Chriss is set to start against the Utes, but given the hamstring injury, there’s certainly a chance he won’t be the only quarterback Utah sees today.

Smith filled in last week and completed 15-0f-24 passes for 173 yards, two scores, but three interceptions. Those turnovers have been his biggest issue this season. Smith isn’t the same athlete Chriss is but he’s dually capable in his own right.

2. Utah defense needs to turn pressure into sacks

Utah’s defensive pass rush started the season on a heater. They jumped out to the lead in the Big 12 Conference both individually and collectively. Since week four, the pass rush has slowed down a bit.

That’s not to say it’s come to a complete halt but the Utes have totaled just one sack in the last four games. However, Utah has maintained really good pressure rates in each of the past three contests: against Arizona, Utah generated a 51% pressure rate, Arizona State a 33% rate, and TCU a 31% rate.

The defensive front has been generating pressure on quarterbacks, they just aren’t getting home quickly enough. Coming into this game, Houston is actually one of the worst at sack rates allowed.

Houston’s Zeon Chriss currently owns a 33.3% pressure-to-sack rate, while Donovan Smith has a 29.1% rate. That means in roughly 1-of-3 pressures result in a sack for Houston opponents. For comparison, Isaac Wilson currently owns a 19.4% pressure-to-sack rate.

Simply said, the Cougars are No. 15 in the Big 12 in sacks allowed with 24.0, only Colorado is worse at 25.0 sacks given up.

Utah’s pass rush has a prime opportunity to get back on track today. The defensive front needs to play disciplined but aggressive and that should lead to results.

3. Houston’s defense is tough but…

The Cougars come into this game as the No. 3 Big 12 team in total yards allowed at 319.6 yards per game. They are also No. 8 in the conference in points allowed, yielding 23.6 points per game.

Those are strong numbers for the season, however, Houston has struggled as the season has worn on. Over the last four games, the Cougars have given up 380.2 yards per game and allowed 28.7 points per game.

The key against the Cougars is establishing the run. In four of their losses, Kansas, Iowa State, Cincinnati, and UNLV all ran for at least 149 yards.

And the key to establishing the run is being two-dimensional. The Cougars are good against teams when they are or are turned one-dimensional. Utah needs to find a complementary passing game for this one. It doesn’t need to be prolific, it just has to force the Cougars to honor the threat of the pass.

Two Utah vs Houston Questions

1. What does the offense look like?

This has been the most prominent question of the week. With the change at offensive coordinator and Mike Bajakian’s elevation to the role, how will the offense change?

It’s not expected to change significantly but there should be tweaks that give the offense a different feel.

Utah probably moves Wilson from under center back to shotgun more often. Maybe there’s an adjustment to the tempo or a shift in the personnel usage.

It will be quite interesting to see what adjustments have been made this week.

2. Getting guys some new opportunities?

There have been several guys who have been absent for the majority of the season. Guys like Landen King, Jaylon Glover, Munir McClain, and Damien Alford have been non-existent this season.

One of the strengths of the team coming into the season was the depth. Utah had playable depth at multiple positions. The fact it hasn’t been utilized has been surprising.

Coach Whittingham mentioned during his weekly coaches show that there will be guys who get some new opportunities. Who those guys are and how big of an “opportunity” will be provided to them will be interesting to see.