This rates as a decent spot for Houston to pick up a much-needed victory. The Cougars have been gashed on defense by other pass-first Big 12 clubs but the surprising Mountaineers feature a power-run base. Houston's defensive strength is at the line of scrimmage and its offense has superior firepower. Look for Dana Holgorsen's first Big 12 win come against the program he once led.

West Virginia has been playing some great defense mixed in with 191 yards rushing per game anchored by an impressive offensive line that has won four straight since losing the opener to Penn State. They beat Pitt, Texas Tech, and TCU in the last three weeks and covered the number in their last four. They are dictating the pace and stayed Under in their last three with a lockdown defense. Houston has lost three of their last four with the lone win coming against Sam Houston State. Long road trip on a short week, but I have West Virginia to keep winning and covering..

Cougars fans who were hoping for a repeat of the glorious entry into the old SWC back in 1976, when Bill Yeoman steered UH to a league title and Cotton Bowl berth, have to be disappointed. Not so much this move to the Big 12, at least not yet, losing a combined 85-41 to modest TCU and Texas Tech outfits as Dana Holgorsen almost seems to be begging mega-donor Tilman Fertitta to underwrite his buyout. Meanwhile, apparently pulling himself off of the hot seat in Morgantown has been Neal Brown, whose only loss to date has been an honorable one at top five Penn State. Brown's defense is allowing only barely beyond 14 ppg since the Penn State loss

Houston's move up to a Power 5 conference has been a challange but there is light at the end of the tunnel. HC Dana Holgorsen takes on his old team West Virginia for the first time. Houston's 49-28 loss to Texas Tech was much more competitive then the score indicates. Tech had a 100-KO return and blocked punt returned for touchdowns. West Virginia had beaten Texas Tech the week prior to their game with Houston. My model has Houston winning by one. Cougars+3 is the play.