Samual Brown, wide receiver
Brown, is the Cougars leading receiver as he averages nearly 85 yards per game. The sophomore wide receiver has had a huge breakout season and has quickly become one of Smith’s favorite targets as he has hauled in a team high 54 receptions for 764 yards and three touchdowns. Brown is averaging nearly 14 yards per catch, which is something that draws a lot of attention especially with a Bearcats secondary that has struggled this season.
Matthew Golden, wide receiver
Like Brown, Golden is someone who will have a lot of attention on Saturday just because he can affect the game in many different ways. Golden, has hauled in 38 catches on the season, totaling 404 yards and six touchdowns. It is safe to say that Golden is the Cougars number one target in the red zone. Golden is also heavily involved on special teams for Dana Holgorsen and the Cougars and will be someone the Bearcats need to keep an eye on at all times, as Golden also has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season and averages nearly 36 yards per return.
Also, worth noting the Cougars are expected to have wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV back this week after missing the last two games due to a concussion.
Now let’s flip to the defensive side of the ball you say. Defensive end Nelson Ceaser currently leads the Big 12 in sacks (8) and will be someone to keep an eye on as the Bearcats offense has been predominant run heavy the last few weeks. Ceaser also has recorded 10.5 tackles for loss on the season and is 4th on the team in tackles with 36.
AJ Haulcy leads the Cougars secondary as the sophomore has recorded a team high 67 tackles, and four pass breakups on the season. This is a Cougars defense that has a knack for the ball in the secondary. Malik Fleming and Isaiah Hamilton are also two other names to keep an eye on as both are tied for the team lead in interceptions with three on the season.
Keys for the Bearcats
Establish the run game early
The Bearcats are currently 6th in the country in rushing as they average nearly 225 yards per game on the ground. As Corey Kiner is having arguably the best season of his career as the junior running back has eclipsed 100 or more yards in four games this season. Kiner came out of the gate vs Central Florida with some huge, big runs and set the tone early, if I remember right the junior had four carries that went over 15 yards in the 28-26 loss vs UCF. However, they have to find a way to get the run game going with guys like Corey Kiner, Myles Montgomery, Ryan Montgomery and really rely on those guys come Saturday.
Limit the big plays on defense
Big plays have hurt the Bearcats defense all season. However, with a talented wide receiver group like Houston’s the Bearcats have little to zero room for error or they will simply make you pay. Kalen Carroll made his first start of his young career last week vs UCF and Scott Satterfield was very pleased with how the young man played after watching the film and gave credit to Carroll for staying poised in his first start of his young career he said at his weekly press conference.
Attack the backfield
The Bearcats trio of Dontay Corleone, Jowon Briggs and Malik Vann have to find a way to get to Smith in the Cougars backfield and find ways to make it uncomfortable for the junior quarterback. If the veteran trio can find some ways to get pressure and force some turnovers the Bearcats will be in great hands, but it defiantly starts with those three-up front in the trenches for the Bearcats.
Prediction
I think the Cougars sneak past the Bearcats in a close hard fought 35-32 battle on Saturday night. This is a must win game for both teams in my opinion. However, a win Saturday would really put some pressure on Houston in terms of a bowl game as their final two matchups are vs Oklahoma State and UCF.
