An interesting non-conference matchup gets the college football action start on Saturday, September 19, 2020, when the Houston Cougars (0-0) visit the Baylor Bears (0-0). Baylor will be looking to back up their magical 2019 season, with a new coach in town, and Houston will look to bounce back from a tough season. This game will air live on FOX at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Houston had a disappointing 2019 season that saw them finish 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The 2-6 conference record put the Cougars in fifth place in the AAC – West division, a division they were picked in the preseason to finish in second. Houston did have tough schedule as they faced five ranked teams, all losses, but also had a poor loss to Tulane.
The Baylor Bears, who were picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 preseason poll, ended their magical season with an 11-3 record and a second-place finish in the conference. Baylor appeared in their first Big 12 Championship game but ended up being defeated 23-20 in overtime. The Bears did not beat any ranked teams and all three losses were to top 10 teams, twice to Oklahoma and once to Georgia.
Below is my pick for the Houston Cougars at Baylor Bears. All odds are from PointsBet Sportsbook.
Betting Odds: Houston Cougars at Baylor Bears (-7.5): O/U 59 (-110/-110)
The Houston Cougars lost electric QB D’Eriq King to the Miami Hurricanes, but do return some big playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. WR Marquez Stevenson is one of the best playmakers in the country when healthy and he will be joined by fellow wideout Jeremy Singleton. QB Clayton Tune will be handing the ball off to the running back duo of Kyle Porter and Mulbah Car. Houston has studs on each level of the defense, but none are better than safety Grant Stutard. The senior will be doing in the secondary by safety Gervarrius Owens and CB Damarion Williams. LB Donovan Mutin and defensive end Payton Turner will also be big parts of the Cougar defense.
Baylor will be led by QB Charlie Brewer who, when healthy, is exactly who this Bears team needs to get them through all the changes. RB John Lovett, FB Koby Bullard, and WR Tyquan Thornton will look to help Brewer, while guard Xavier Newman-Johnson will do his part in protecting the Bears prize asset. Only two defensive starters return to this Baylor team and the key guy will be LB Terrel Bernard. The secondary should be good as CB’s Raleigh Texada and Kalon Barnes and safety JT Woods all look to become stars.
Series History: These two teams have not met since 1995, but Baylor does lead the all-time series 14-13-1.
Free Football Picks: This should be a good game and I am going to back the Baylor Bears -7.5.
2020 CFB Picks Results: 4-1