The Memphis Tigers (4-1) will host the Houston Cougars (2-3) on Friday night in an AAC matchup. The Cougars hold a 16-14 head-to-head edge all time. Memphis beat Houston in five consecutive seasons from 2016-2020, but the Cougars got the 31-13 home victory last season.
The Houston Cougars program has lost in its last three trips to Memphis, with their most recent road victory over the Tigers coming 28-24 in 2014.
Before the season, Houston was voted the favorite to win the American Athletic Conference this year in the media poll. Things have been rockier than expected, as the Cougars dropped their conference opener 27-24 in overtime at home to Tulane last Friday as a 2.5-point favorite, which also dropped the Cougars to 1-4 ATS.
The Cougars are averaging 31 ppg through five games, ranking 75th with 240.2 passing yards per game and 75th averaging 151.2 rushing yards per game. Clayton Tune has led the offense with a 65.2 completion percentage, nine touchdow ns, and three picks. He has also added 194 yards and two scores on the ground. Houston's leading rushers are Brandon Campbell (55 carries, 243 yards, 3 TDs) and Ta' Zhawn Henry (51 carries, 220 yards, 2 TDs).
Houston Cougars DE Derek Parish out for season with bicep injury
“It makes me sick,” Dana Holgorsen said. “The year that he was having, team captain, you know just plays his tail off.”@UHCougarFB @AYanez_5
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Houston has allowed 34 ppg, and the defense ranks 98th with 409.2 total yards allowed per game, behind a pass defense that is 114th, giving up 273.8 passing yards per game. The Cougars will be without All-AAC second-team defensive end Derek Parish who tore his bicep against Rice and also did not play against Tulane. Two senior defensive backs who played in the first four contests but could not play last week against Tulane: Art Green and Gervarrius Owens, are listed as questionable for Friday.