UCLA @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Houston 13, UCLA 31

THE STORY: It's rare that a big-name player is on a team outside the major conferences, but there aren’t much bigger names in college football than Case Keenum. The Houston quarterback returns for a sixth season after losing most of last year to a torn ACL. He begins the season against UCLA, on the fringes of the Heisman conversation, and s aa serious threat to set a slew of NCAA passing records, including the all-time career yardage mark.

TV: FSN. Line: Houston -3

ABOUT HOUSTON (2010: 5-7, 4-4 Conference USA): The Cougars are deep at all the offensive skill positions, but are unusually deep at quarterback. Because of injuries in 2010, Houston suddenly returns a sixth-year sernior, a fifth-year senior and a sophomore who started seven games. Defense is a question mark, though coach Kevin Sumlin says he feels much more secure about his secondary than he did last season.

ABOUT UCLA (2010: 4-8, 2-7 Pac-10): UCLA has lost six of its last seven games. Coach Rick Neuheisel, who is known as an offensive guru, has not been able to produce a good offense in L.A. The Bruins were ninth in the Pac-10 in scoring and last in passing offense in 2010.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Houston has an oddly mature team. Keenum got married this offseason, while linebacker Marcus McGraw is engaged to be married next spring.

2. Record-breaking heat in Houston recently could be a factor in the game. The Cougars have been practicing in the hottest summer ever recorded in Houston, with temperatures not expected to drop much below 100 degrees until mid-September.

3. Despite only having 12 returning starters, Houston is among expert Phil Steele's "Most Improved" and "Surprise" teams for 2011.

PREDICTION: Houston 34, UCLA 17 -- It's possibly the biggest game on Houston's schedule. The Cougars are used to the intense heat; the Bruins are not.