Keys to the Houston Game:

Alabama Play Calling:
The running game, featuring speedsters such as Terry Grant and Roy Upchurch, who are complimented by bruisers like Glen Coffee and Jimmy Johns, the plethora of quality running backs needs to play a bigger role. If so, defenses will be forced to creep up closer to the line, leaving D.J. Hall and the rest of the receiving corps more capable of making big plays.

Houston Rush Defense:
The Cougars use a 4-2-5 scheme, and return a strong defensive front this season. After starting the season by giving up an astounding 339 rushing yards to an underrated Oregon backfield, the Houston defense has given up 85, 153, and 139 yards on the ground to Tulane, Colorado State, and East Carolina, respectively. To tango with the Tide for four solid quarters, the Cougars will have to play lights-out against the run, plain and simple.

Third Down Efficiency:
To give hope to fading visions of high-scoring success, the Alabama offense must improve its third down conversion percentage. After producing on only 3 of 15 third downs against Georgia, the Tide continued stalling against Florida State (6 of 16). Houston’s two quarterbacks, Blake Joseph and Case Keenum, are both completing better than 62% of their passes, a solid, albeit not spectacular, aspect of their offense. Look for phenom senior receiver Donnie Avery to play a big part in third and long situations for the Cougars.

Alabama’s Defense:
The Tide is surrendering a manageable 330 yards of offense per game, whereas Houston has produced 483 yards per contest. To compliment a stellar passing game, Houston also boasts a productive duo of running backs in Anthony Aldridge and Terrance Ganaway. Aldridge, a senior, led the nation last season when he averaged 10.1 yards per carry, even though he only tallied a minute 95 rushes. Don’t be surprised to see Houston bust a few big runs on a Tide defense expecting the long throw every once in a while.

Game Time:
As it did against Georgia and Florida State, will Alabama forget to show up before the second half is underway?

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