The Associated Press
HOUSTON (1-1) at No. 25 BYU (2-0), 10 p.m. ET. (ESPN)
Line: BYU by 18½.
Series Record: BYU leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
With a 41-7 romp over Texas last weekend, following a season-opening 35-10 rout of UConn, BYU popped into the Top 25 this week for the first time since Sept. 9, 2012. Because of their favorable schedule and talented quarterback Taysom Hill, it’s certainly possible that the Cougars will be ranked all season and perhaps even go undefeated. Houston compiled 477 yards in total offense for a 47-0 victory last Saturday over Grambling State, for the 38th shutout in the team’s history. Houston dropped its opener 27-7 to UTSA.
KEY MATCHUP
BYU’s offense — and mainly Hill — against Houston’s defense. Against Texas, the versatile Hill turned heads with 99 yards rushing and three touchdowns. But Houston’s defense has been solid, allowing opponents an average of 250.5 yards of offense to rank 11th nationally. The team’s D also forced six Grambling State turnovers last week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston: Quarterback John O’Korn took over at Houston as a freshman last season when David Piland’s career ended because of multiple concussions. He went on to throw 28 touchdowns to lead all FBS-level freshman QBs. So far this season he has thrown for 404 yards and a score, but he’s also thrown four interceptions.
BYU: Hill has won FBS Independents player of the week honors for both weeks of the season. He’s passed for 489 yards this season with three touchdowns, and he’s run for 196 yards and five more scores. He is among four players to lead the nation with five rushing TDs this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
BYU receiver Jordan Leslie has at least one catch in 30 straight games for the sixth-longest streak in the country. … This season Houston is celebrating the silver anniversary of Andre Ware’s Heisman Trophy-winning season. … BYU’s scoring defense ranks sixth in the nation with an average of 8.5 points. … The two teams met last season with BYU pulling out a 47-46 win on Hill’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Skyler Ridley with less than two minutes to go.
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