Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 4: I-4 rivals lead New Year’s Six race
By Zach Bigalke
Houston had high hopes of making another New Year’s Six run this year to pair with their trip to the 2015 Peach Bowl win against Florida State. A Week 2 takedown of Arizona put Houston on the national radar, and they had the chance to make a second consecutive Power Five statement in Week 3 when they traveled across the state to Lubbock to face Texas Tech.
With Ed Oliver and a defense that shut down Khalil Tate, the Cougars hoped to clamp down on the Air Raid offense. Instead, the Red Raiders trapped Houston in a shootout. Winning against Texas Tech in an offensive firefight is going to be difficult, and it proved impossible for the Cougars to pull off on Saturday.
They certainly gave it their best shot. D’Eriq King threw for 431 yards and five touchdowns, and the team added two more rushing touchdowns by King and running back Terence Williams. But the secondary allowed Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman to go 43-of-59 for 605 yards and five touchdowns. The front seven fell flat when it counted most, holding the Red Raiders to only 99 rushing yards but giving up four rushing scores.
Even with the loss, Houston is still alive and well in the American Athletic Conference race. And they do still have one win over a Power Five opponent. The Cougars ultimately fall down five spots in the Group of Five power rankings with the loss, but they have plenty of opportunities to climb right back up in the race.