Houston may have the bye week here for extra preparation, but Miss St had a cupcake last week and although coaches will tell you that they donât look ahead that is a lie. Miss State was definitely looking ahead to this game as they lost by a TD a year ago at home to Keenum and Houstonâs offense. A lot has changed since then as Keenum is out for the year and so is their back up which leaves Terrence Broadway.
Broadway has had the extra time to prepare, but he goes up against a team that is better than average against the pass and 47th vs. the run. Houston has started to rely on Bryce Beal at half back which has to tell you what their coach thinks about Broadway. Houston always throws the ball and now in their last two games Broadway just 19-28 for 174 yards. They are also without their star WR James Cleveland and I think theyâll have a hard time despite being home against a much improved Miss State team that has a balanced attack and needs this game badly with tough conference games ahead.
Houston is under sized on defense and they gave up 266 yards to UCLA Miss State has Relf who will have plenty of play action opportunities. He also is a threat to run as he had 109 yards vs. Georgia. The biggest reason I like this road favorite is the fact that Miss State has the balanced offense and they have racked up 500+ yards twice. Not something you could say in years past and it goes with a solid defense which Houston should have a lot of issues with. Itâs the best trio of linebackers Broadway will see all year and Miss State has a next level NFL talent at DE in Perell McPhee.
Bottom line Miss State should be able to stuff Beal and make Broadway beat them. I fear he canât even in the Houston attack because when it gets down to the red zone Miss State is making stops giving up just 4TDâs in 15 red zone trips for opposing offenses.
