Saturday Storylines: Houston, we have a BCS contender

Dave Einsel / AP Houston quarterback Case Keenum will earn an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, and the Cougars will be in a BCS bowl if they go undefeated, NBCSports.com contributor Joey Johnston says.updated 12:42 a.m. ET Nov. 18, 2011 So, which rematch do you prefer? LSU-Alabama (from Nov. 5)? LSU-Oregon (from Sept. 3)? LSU-Oklahoma (from the 2004 Sugar Bowl)? What’s that you say? If Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma, none of that matters? Oh, and LSU might concern itself with Arkansas (and the SEC championship game) before thinking about a rematch? Right. Got it. We were looking ahead.

No disrespect to Saturday’s games, which have five dominant themes (at least) to keep us all very busy.

1. The other unbeaten
LSU or Oklahoma State?

Oklahoma State or LSU?

Who do you like?

The Bowl Championship Series world could be tied up in a neat little bow if those two unbeaten teams meet for the national title.

No one is saying much about that other unbeaten — yep, there is one — the free-wheeling No. 11-ranked Houston Cougars (10-0) of Conference USA.

Truthfully, since the breakup of the old Southwest Conference, Houston has been the state’s stepchild program, even though the Cougars definitely have tradition. Did you know that Houston once beat Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl and finished as the nation’s No. 5-ranked team? Do you remember that Houston once had a Heisman Trophy winner (Andre Ware in 1989)?

But, Houston, you definitely have a perception problem.

There’s always a pocket of support for the Little Guy in college football. If Boise State was in this position, we’d be saying, “Why not Boise?’’ If TCU was in this position, we’d be saying, “Why not TCU?’’

Why not Houston?

It’s not “tiny’’ Houston. We are, after all, talking about the nation’s fourth-largest city. But it’s mostly a pro town. It’s definitely a Longhorn/Aggie state. So the Cougars get lost in all of that. It’s time to notice.

Houston is No. 11 in the BCS standings, one spot behind No. 10 Boise State (8-1), which is still recovering from the shockwaves of its 36-35 home loss against TCU.

Good news for the Cougars: If Houston remains unbeaten, downing Southern Methodist (6-4) on Saturday (ESPN 'GameDay' will be there), then Tulsa (7-3) and likely No. 22 Southern Miss (9-2) in the C-USA title game, it almost certainly will receive the program’s first BCS bowl bid.   

Even if Boise State is ranked ahead of Houston in the BCS, unless TCU loses again, the Broncos will not win the Mountain West Conference title. For a non-automatic qualifying league to reach a BCS bowl game, its champion must finish in the top 12 or be in the top 16 and ranked ahead of a conference champion currently aligned with the BCS.

Of course, now the hard part starts for Houston. Its down-the-stretch schedule is difficult. One pratfall and it’s done. The eyes of Texas — and every other state — will finally be peeking at Houston this weekend to pass judgment on the Cougars’ legitimacy.

Should the Cougars be in the national championship hunt? No. C-USA doesn’t have that kind of muscle. Houston beat a name non-conference opponent — downing UCLA 38-34 — but the name carries more weight than the actual strength of the Bruins’ program.

Should the Cougars, who are being courted by the Big East, be in a BCS bowl? If they finish unbeaten, definitely. They have earned that right by winning every game on their schedule. And as late-comers to the party will realize, Houston football is pretty fun.

Everyone knows about sixth-year quarterback Case Keenum, who has 37 touchdown passes, three interceptions and should receive an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Keenum, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility after tearing his ACL early in the 2010 season, is the NCAA’s all-time career leader in passing yards (17,537), total offense (18,434), touchdown passes (144) and touchdowns accounted for (166).

Not enough people know about the wide receivers, Patrick Edwards (1,277 receiving yards this season) and Tyron Carrier (293 career receptions and projecting to become the NCAA’s No. 2 all-time pass-catcher).

No one talks about Houston’s offensive line, which is so vital for Keenum’s success. Keenum has been sacked just 11 times this season — on 451 pass attempts.

Houston’s offense averages 54.7 points per game. The all-time record was set by Army in 1944 (56.0 points per game).

That’s plenty to absorb.

Even if we get that LSU-Oklahoma State title game, some homage must be paid to the other unbeaten team. Houston is accomplishing some amazing things. It’s not too late to notice. 

2. Back where they belong
Welcome back, Wisconsin. It’s nice to see you again, Oregon.

Actually, the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers and No. 4 Oregon Ducks haven’t been anywhere —except well under the national radar.

Wisconsin (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) could have been in prime position to contend for a national championship, had it not been for Hail Mary passes that gave Michigan State and Ohio State improbable victories against the Badgers. If Wisconsin wins out, beating Illinois and Penn State, it will win the Big Ten’s Legends Division.

Oregon (9-1, 7-0 Pac-12), similarly, had high expectations of returning to the BCS championship game, but they were derailed in a 40-27 opening-night loss against LSU. The Ducks were even second-fiddle last week to Stanford and alleged Heisman Trophy front-runner Andrew Luck. Oregon, perhaps reminding everyone they were gunning for their 19th consecutive league victory, throttled the Cardinal 53-30. If Oregon wins out, beating USC and Oregon State, it captures the Pac-12 North Division.

The Badgers and Ducks can reassert their back-to-the-forefront status Saturday.

Wisconsin travels to Illinois (6-4, 2-4), the Big Ten’s Jekyll/Hyde team, which raced to bowl eligibility at 6-0, but has since dropped four straight games. Things are tense in Illini-land. When a reporter asked about coach Ron Zook’s job security, he walked out of his news conference.

Meanwhile, Oregon entertains the No. 18 USC Trojans (8-2, 5-2) in what would’ve normally been a preview of the inaugural Pac-12 championship game. Not this time. USC is ineligible, so the Pac-12 South representative will be Arizona State, UCLA or even Utah. It’s a mess and it could evolve into a real joke if UCLA slips into the conference title game with a losing record (still possible).

Wisconsin and Oregon have something else in common.

Once again, they have legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates.

When Wisconsin dropped back-to-back games, Badgers senior quarterback Russell Wilson seemingly was dismissed from the Heisman consciousness. When Oregon lost its opener, people stopped talking about running back LaMichael James, especially after he missed two games due to injury.

Don’t rule them out.

Wilson and James should be playing in the Dec. 3 conference championship games, the last opportunity to make an impression. So will Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, for that matter, as the Cowboys close out with Oklahoma. Luck and Alabama’s Trent Richardson probably will be on the sidelines. Their candidacy can’t be advanced on the day/night when college football’s version of election returns come tumbling in. 

James had 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Stanford. Overall, even with the missed games, he still has 1,207 rushing yards overall (with a 7.9-yard average) and 12 TDs. Wilson merely leads the nation in passing efficiency, completing 73.4 percent of his attempts with 25 touchdowns and three interceptions.

More news Scott Audette / ReutersCFT: Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has a treatable form of lung cancer, according to his son.

Mark J. Terrill / APCFT's Predictions 101: No. 18 USC should put up a good showing, but LaMichael James and soon-to-be Pac-12 North champion No. 4 Oregon won't be denied Saturday.

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