Las Vegas Bowl: position-by-position breakdown
A look at who has the advantage at each position when Houston meets San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium:
QUARTERBACKS
San Diego State starter Christian Chapman has been solid this season and ranks 27th in the nation in passing efficiency. But he can’t match the dual-threat play-making ability of Houston starter Greg Ward Jr., who ranks fourth in the country in total offense per game (349.6 yards).
Edge: Houston
RUNNING BACKS
While the Cougars’ offense is built around Ward, the Aztecs’ is centered on Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Donnel Pumphrey. The senior is second in the FBS in rushing yards per game (155.2) and has 16 rushing touchdowns. Houston’s leading running back, Duke Catalon, has 510 yards rushing because the team relies on Ward’s legs so much.
Edge: San Diego State
RECEIVERS
Houston has thrown the ball 247 more times than San Diego State, so naturally the Cougars have received more production out of their receivers. The Cougars’ third-leading receiver, Steven Dunbar, has 100 more yards than top Aztecs receiver Mikah Holder.
Edge: Houston
OFFENSIVE LINE
San Diego State has allowed four fewer sacks than Houston and has lost 52 fewer yards off sacks. Behind their line, the Aztecs also average 5.9 yards per rushing attempt. The Cougars muster an average of 3.6 yards on each run play.
Edge: San Diego State
DEFENSIVE LINE
Houston has the best run-stopping unit in the country outside of Alabama, allowing 2.87 yards per attempt. The team is led by freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who was named the winner of the Bill Willis Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive lineman. San Diego State ranks 10th in the country, allowing 3.31 yards per rush.
Edge: Houston
LINEBACKERS
Houston has two terrors off the edge in All-American Athletic Conference honorees Steven Taylor and Tyus Bowser. Taylor has 11.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, and Bowser has 10.5 and 7.5 despite appearing in just seven games. San Diego State’s Calvin Munson has 108 tackles.
Edge: Houston
SECONDARY
Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Damontae Kazee leads the scary back end of the Aztecs’ defense. San Diego State has intercepted 22 passes and is allowing opponents to complete only 52 percent of their passes. Opponents are averaging 6.6 yards per pass attempt against the Aztecs, and 6.7 yards against the Cougars.
Edge: San Diego State
SPECIAL TEAMS
One key matchup could be San Diego State return man Rashaad Penny, the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year, against Houston’s 105th-ranked kickoff coverage unit. Aztecs kicker John Barson has made 19 of his 21 field-goal attempts.
Edge: San Diego State
INTANGIBLES
Houston coach Major Applewhite will lead the team for the first time after being promoted from offensive coordinator. The Cougars probably will be motivated to get their new regime off to a good start and prove that the program is more than departed coach Tom Herman. San Diego State is attempting to win double-digit games for the first time since the 1976 and 1977 seasons.
Edge: Houston
HANDICAPPER’S TAKE
Bruce Marshall (goldsheet.com): Houston 34, San Diego State 23 — Sources report the proud Houston defense is excited for the trip to Las Vegas and a chance to atone for its disturbing 48-44 upset loss at Memphis, the most points the Cougars have allowed since 2012. That might not bode well for San Diego State’s run-dominated attack against a still-stout Houston front seven (third nationally vs. the run). It’s unlikely the Aztecs’ passing game (ranked 119th) can pick up the slack if the running game struggles. Expect the Cougars’ dynamic dual-threat senior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. to have another memorable bowl performance vs. San Diego State’s sagging defense (yielding 1,337 yards over its past three games). I’m not afraid to lay a short price with Houston, which should be more settled after the Herman distractions and the promotion of Applewhite.
