UConn: The Huskies are 2-2 but are clearly in over their heads here against No.6-ranked Houston (4-0). Making matters worse, Houston gets a chance to avenge its ONLY loss from last year (Cougars were 13-1) when it hosts Connecticut in an American Athletic Conference game Thursday night. Both starting QBs missed the majority of last year's meeting, a 20-17 UConn home victory but both are healthy for this one. However, Bryant Shirreffs of UConn is hardly a match for Houston's Greg Ward Jr. Sherriffs is completing 66.9 percent for 819 yards but has only two TD passes, as well as two INTs. UConn is averaging a a modest 21.2 PPG (109th) on 354.5 YPG (103rd). The defense is solid though, holding opponents to a respectable 22.5 PPG (46th) on 381.0 YPG (55th).

Houston: Greg Ward Jr. was held out of Houston's second game against Lamar (poor field conditions plus he was nursing an injured right shoulder) but in three games has 936 yards passing with five TDs and two INTs. The offense averages 44.8 PPG (12th) on 497.5 YPG (23rd), with great balance (274.2 YP and 223.2 YR). Ward has 113 yards rushing and four others have 125-plus-yards on the ground. This Houston team is for real and whether one wants to classify it as a "revenge game" or not, expect the Cougars to be looking for a little payback.

The pick: Houston takes a 10-game home winning streak into this contest and has averaged 41.8 PPG in that streak. Yes, UConn has a solid defense but the Huskies ruined the Houston's perfect season last year and I see no way the Cougars won't at least score what they have averaged so far in 2016 (that's right at 45 points). Make the Over an 8* play.