My 6-0 ranked #12 Houston Cougars go into Ford Field to face SMU in a Conference USA matchup.
I expected this could be a shootout but I had no idea.
For the first half both teams put on an aerial clinic and traded TDs. I don't think either of us punted a single time. SMU's receivers were catching alot of passes in open space making my zone defense look silly. The first half ended with me leading 28-27. At the half, Houston had 300 yard in total offense and SMU had 300 yards PASSING. First play of the 3rd Quarter I get a pick six to give me some breathing room. SMU is still moving up and down the field at will but I get some HUGE takeways with another INT and a forced fumble taken back for a TD. By the end of the third quarter I'm comfortably ahead so I pull all my starters because I have a possible BCS bowl bid to think about.
I ended up winning 52-33 but the game was alot closer than the score would indicate. SMU's QB Kyle Padron LIT ME UP for over 500 yards in the air. I've never had a CPU QB do that against me before. The announcers even said "It was just a short while ago that we told you he had 400 yards passing, now he's got 500."
After escaping with a minor scare my Cougars are now 7-0 and ranked as high as #9 in the coaches poll. And QB Case Keenum's performance put him in the lead for Heisman consideration.
Key play of the game -with SMU's impact player free safety closing in this pass had to be perfect with the window being so small. On time, on target and with velocity:
