'Bama vs Houston - Bama's a 10 1/2 Point Favorite

The Tide (3-2) has lost back-to-back games by a combined 10 points to Florida State and, in overtime, Georgia.

That means Alabama, a 10 1/2-point favorite, isn't feeling quite so confident as to presume that the team will improve to 10-0 all-time against the Cougars and get a little respite after the close games.

Offensively, the Tide has gotten behind in recent games and had to rely more heavily on the pass than on running Terry Grant and Glen Coffee. But Houston is allowing 178 yards rushing, which ranks 81st nationally.

Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson figures the Cougars will have plenty of motivation to win this one.

"They're getting a chance to come in here and try to beat Alabama," Wilson said. "They're going to be as pumped up as they're ever going to be. We realize that, and we just lost a game so we're going to be pretty pumped up, too."

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