College Football Odds: SEC Week 9 picks against the spread
Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Caleb Scott (9) rushes against Missouri Tigers linebacker Michael Scherer (30) during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday October 31, 2015
- Time: 7PM Eastern
- Location: Houston, TX
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Spread: Houston -13
- Over/Under Total: 49.5
After 11 consecutive losses in conference play, Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason finally picked up his first SEC victory with a 10-3 win over Missouri last week. The win gives the Commodores a 3-4 overall record and a 1-3 mark in conference play.
Now that Mason has a league win under his belt, he and the Commodores can turn their attention to the next goal of becoming bowl eligible. It’s a tough task, especially with four SEC games following this weekend’s non-conference clash with an undefeated, nationally ranked Houston squad.
New head coach Tom Herman was hired by the Cougars after a stint as the offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer at Ohio State. Herman been an instant success, and Houston is 7-0 with junior quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. running the offense almost flawlessly. Ward has 1,734 passing yards and ten touchdowns with just two interceptions this season and also leads the team with 677 rushing yards. His 15 rushing touchdowns are tied for the nation’s lead with LSU’s Leonard Fournette.
However, Herman and Ward haven’t faced a defense nearly as good as Vandy’s. The Commodores have allowed just 16.3 points and 316.7 total yards of offense this season – both of which rank among the nation’s top 25. Vanderbilt has also been spectacular on third downs this season, having allowed a 22 percent conversion rate this year and holding Missouri without a conversion in 14 attempts last week.
Yet Vanderbilt can’t win on defense alone. Riding running back Ralph Webb (594 rushing yards, 4 TD) is the Commodores’ best chance at moving the football consistently, but the ‘Dores are likely to need a big play in the passing game to score the upset. Freshman quarterback Kyle Shurmur got his first career start last week in the win over Mizzou, but he struggled and was replaced with Johnny McCrary late in the game. Both are expected to play against Houston.
With questions again at quarterback for Vanderbilt, and Houston having one of the nation’s top playmakers at the position, the Cougars have the edge and should cover.
Next: New Mexico State at Florida