The Houston Cougars, (4-0) open the 2006 road schedule against Miami (Fla.) (1-2) at 6 p.m. (EDT), Saturday at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The game will be broadcast to a national television audience on ESPN2. Houston notched a 34-25 victory over Oklahoma State last weekend, while the Hurricanes are coming off a bye week. Miami lost a 31-7 decision at No. 12 Louisville back on Sept. 16.
"We're excited about bonding together and banding together during our first road trip," Houston head coach Art Briles said. "It's going to be a 60-minute battle but our team is going to be up for the challenge."
Miami is fueled by quarterback Kyle Wright, who has completed 64.6 percent of his, passes this season. Wright has thrown for 576 yards but only one touchdown.
Three Miami running backs have rushed for over 100 yards. Charlie Jones leads the way with 124 yards and three touchdowns.
Bet on College Football at BetRoyal
Get the latest college football point spreads here.
On the outside, Lance Leggett and Darnell Jenkins record over 10 yards a catch. Of Jenkins' 13 receptions, seven of them have resulted for a third-down conversion. However, Jenkins is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game and will not start according to the Miami Herald.
"Wright is one of the better quarterbacks in the nation," Briles said. "He'll give our defense a different test than what we've seen in the last couple of weeks. Our guys have risen up to the challenges, and I don't see a reason in practice why they won't this week."
Jon Beason headlines the Miami defense with 18 tackles, including a team-best 3.5 for a loss. Kenny Phillips and Brandon Meriweather anchor the secondary with a combined 28 stops, while Meriweather has recorded the unit's lone interception.
The Hurricane defense has only given up three points in the first quarter this season but has allowed 15.3 yards per pass completion.
"They are very dynamic on the defensive side of the ball," Briles said. "It will be another test for our offense. We go into the game planning, expecting and determined to make plays early on both sides of the ball and on special teams."
Saturday's game will mark the second time in the last three seasons that Houston and Miami will meet on the gridiron. The No. 4 Hurricanes won a 38-13 decision at Reliant Stadium during the 2004 season.
Miami will need to be better against a 4-0 Houston team that is off to its best start since the 1990 season. The Cougars run a high-powered offense that is led by Heisman candidate, Kevin Kolb, a four-year starter whose name is littered throughout the NCAA passing records.
"I think their style of offense makes (Kolb) very, very good," Miami head coach Larry Coker said. "He throws a lot of high-percentage passes. He knows what to do with the football. I think Art Briles knows what to do with his offense. It allows Kolb an opportunity to take advantage of what you're doing defensively."
Odds makers have installed the Hurricanes as an overwhelming home favorite (-17) vs. the Cougars. The total is set at 48 ½.
