Houston @ Tulane preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Tulane 23, Houston 42

THE STORY: Undefeated Houston is off to its best start in school history, and sixth-year senior Case Keenum is a big reason why. After breaking former Hawaii star Timmy Chang’s NCAA record for career passing yardage, Keenum is now the NCAA’s career leader in every major passing category. The 11th-ranked Cougars’ road matchup with Tulane is their last tuneup before closing the regular season with tough games against SMU and Tulsa, which will decide the Conference USA West Division crown.

Houston has won eight straight in this series and the last three matchups at the Superdome.

TV: CBS Sports Network Line: Houston -34

ABOUT HOUSTON (9-0, 5-0 Conference USA): In their 56-13 blowout victory at UAB last weekend, the Cougars topped 50 points for the fourth straight game and fifth time this season. Keenum threw for 407 yards in the win, and he leads the nation with 3,626 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. Lost in the shuffle of Houston’s pass-happy offense, running back Michael Hayes has racked up 553 yards on the ground and is tied with Charles Sims with a team-best seven rushing scores. The Cougars lead the country in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense.

ABOUT TULANE (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA): Since a season-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana, the Green Wave have lost their last four home games by an average of 21 points. Last week, Tulane dropped its seventh straight game overall and gave up three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a 45-24 loss at SMU. Coach Bob Toledo stepped down three weeks ago, but the Green Wave haven’t improved much under interim coach Mark Hutson, losing in blowout fashion to Memphis, East Carolina and SMU.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Houston’s eight consecutive wins in this series have come by an average score of 39-16.

2. "I'm not going to fully enjoy it and celebrate it until after the season,” Keenum said this week about all his records. “Hopefully, I will have a lot more to celebrate after the season than just the records."

3. Tulane ranks 102nd nationally in total defense (423 yards per game).

PREDICTION: Houston 59, Tulane 17. The Cougars’ fast-paced offense will look even more deadly on turf against one of the weaker defenses in the country.