College Football Week 12: 5 bold predictions

1. Houston ends Louisville’s playoff hopes

When the season was just beginning and both Houston and Louisville looked almost unbeatable, this matchup could have had major playoff and bowl implications. It still does, just a lot less for Houston. Houston has two rather bad losses to SMU and Navy and have fallen from the rankings. Meanwhile Louisville is on the outside looking in of the CFP at the moment.

Houston will have a chance here to make up for a season that could have been. Greg Ward Jr. has still put up great numbers running and throwing the ball. Houston will have to take advantage of the fact that both their’s and Louisville’s defenses give up about the same amount of points in each game.

This game is at home for the Cougars which will provide a great atmosphere for them. Louisville will come in ranked No. 5 and will probably be a little sore that Clemson is still ranked ahead of them even though they lost. although Clemson does own the head to head meeting. Louisville has also struggled in some of their games this year against teams that they should blow. For example, last week against Wake Forest. Wake Forest had a lead into the fourth quarter before Louisville took over. Louisville’s mind may be on Clemson and at times they seem vulnerable.

Houston will need to play like they did the their opening game, when they upset Oklahoma 33-23. Greg Ward Jr. threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns in that game to secure the victory. Houston has a great chance at pulling the upset. What may have been seen as a trap game earlier on, is now a legit threat for Louisville. I have a feeling that Louisville is going to have other things on their mind and may be off of their game. This will open up the door for Houston who will take advantage of it.