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NCAAF
Long Sheet

Thursday, October 8

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SMU (1 - 4) at HOUSTON (4 - 0) - 10/8/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SMU is 84-114 ATS (-41.4 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.
HOUSTON is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-0 against the spread versus SMU over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 2-0 straight up against SMU over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (2 - 2) at USC (3 - 1) - 10/8/2015, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 77-105 ATS (-38.5 Units) after playing a conference game since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

Dunkel

Week 6


SMU @ Houston

Game 303-304
October 8, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
SMU
70.587
Houston
98.008
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 27 1/2
82
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 25
74 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-25); Over

Washington @ USC

Game 305-306
October 8, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
89.804
USC
109.717
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
USC
by 20
53
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
USC
by 16 1/2
56
Dunkel Pick:
USC
(-16 1/2); Under

Thursday's Top Action


SMU MUSTANGS (1-4) at HOUSTON COUGARS (4-0)

Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -25; Total: 74.5

Houston tries to remain unbeaten on Thursday night when it hosts heavy underdog SMU in a matchup of Texas teams in the American Athletic Conference.

The Mustangs started the season 3-0 ATS (1-2 SU), but have allowed 97 points during a two-game ATS skid to 13-point underdog James Madison and 5.5-point road favorite East Carolina. The Cougars have rolled up three straight ATS victories, prevailing at 13-point favorite Louisville before big wins over Texas State (59-14) and at Tulsa last week (38-24).

These teams are meeting for the 11th consecutive year with Houston holding a commanding 8-2 SU (6-4 ATS) advantage over SMU in this series since 2005. The past six meetings have all been blowouts with the Mustangs winning by 30 in 2012 and the Cougars five victories coming by 23, 25, 30, 34 and 26 points last year (35-9). The 2014 matchup was actually a 9-7 SMU lead at halftime before Houston closed the game with 28 unanswered points.

Most of Thursday's betting trends lean towards the Cougars, such as their 8-1 ATS record versus good offenses (31+ PPG) in the past three seasons and home favorites of 21.5 to 31 points with an incredible offense (6.4+ yards per play) going 34-7 ATS in the past 10 seasons after 6.75+ yards per play in two straight games. But the Mustangs are 20-9 ATS versus good rushing defenses (120 or less YPG allowed) since 1992, including 3-0 ATS in the past three seasons.

Injuries shouldn't be a big factor here, but SMU did lose DB Rodney Clemons to a season-ending knee injury last week while CB Horace Richardson (undisclosed) is questionable for Thursday. Houston's only new injury is WR Linell Bonner, whose bad hamstring has him listed as questionable for this matchup.

SMU's offense has been pretty effective this season with 31.4 PPG on 429 total YPG. A strong 23.4 first downs per game has kept the time of possession well over 30 minutes per game (32:39). Junior QB Matt Davis has thrown for 1,182 yards (8.1 YPA) on 60% completions, 8 TD and 2 INT, including four straight games without throwing a pick. But Davis did very little versus Houston last year, as nearly half his 145 yards (13-of-27, 5.4 YPA, 1 TD, 0 INT) came on a 67-yard touchdown pass.

However, Davis didn't have freshman WR Courtland Sutton that game, which could make a huge difference on Thursday. The 6-foot-4 Sutton has been unbelievable with 21 catches for 450 yards (21.4 avg) and 5 TD, and no other Mustangs receiver has more than 13 catches, 163 yards and 2 TD.
The rushing attack has also been strong with 185 YPG on 4.0 YPC. Davis is the club's leading rusher with 380 yards (4.3 YPC) and 6 TD, while freshman RB Xavier Jones has contributed 279 rushing yards (4.1 YPC) and four touchdowns.

The SMU defense has been dreadful though, allowing 44.4 PPG and 593 total YPG, including 51.0 PPG on 668 total YPG in the past three contests. The run-stop unit has been gashed for 285 YPG on 6.6 YPC and the passing defense has also been burned for 309 YPG on 60% completions and 10.0 YPA. One area the defense has flourished is turnovers, as it has 11 takeaways this year, including five over the past two weeks. Forcing miscues will be a big factor in determining whether or not this game stays close, because the last time SMU won in this series in 2012, it forced nine turnovers. However, this year's Cougars team has just three giveaways over four games.

Houston's offense has been potent all season with 45.7 PPG on 604 total YPG, including 55.5 PPG and 658 total YPG in two home games. The team has both rushed for more than 225 yards and thrown for more than 225 yards in all four contests.

Junior QB Greg Ward Jr. has completed 70% of his passes for 1,058 yards (8.9 YPA), 8 TD and only 1 INT. Although he didn't throw a touchdown last week at Tulsa, he did run for three scores as part of his 182 rushing yards (9.1 YPC). He now leads the Cougars with 472 rushing yards (7.3 YPC) and seven touchdowns. While Ward didn't throw very effectively at SMU last year (17-of-28, 144 yds, 5.1 YPA, 0 TD, 1 INT), he did his damage on the ground with 93 yards on 14 carries (6.6 YPC) and three touchdowns.

Senior RB Kenneth Farrow (385 rush yds, 5.2 YPC, 2 TD) was Houston's leading rusher in that win in Dallas with 110 yards on 18 carries (6.1 YPC) and 2 TD. The other star for this Cougars offense is junior WR Demarcus Ayers, who has 32 receptions for 377 yards and 3 TD. Ayers has been much more potent in two home games (247 rec yds) than in two road tilts (130 rec yds) this year.

The Houston defense has been solid this season in limiting opponents to 23.2 PPG and 398 total YPG, including 82 rushing YPG on a mere 2.4 YPC. Opponents have chosen to take the air much more though, gaining 316 YPG on 60% completions and 7.6 YPA. The unit has been able to keep opponents' scores low by forcing 11 turnovers, including 10 in the past three games. With SMU already having three games with 2+ giveaways, the Cougars will be going after the football on Thursday.

WASHINGTON HUSKIES (2-2) at USC TROJANS (3-1)

Sportsbook.ag Line: USC -17, Total: 56

No. 17 USC looks to care of business on Thursday night when it entertains conference foe Washington.

The Huskies failed to cover for the first time this season (3-1 ATS) in their last game on Sept. 26 when they lost 30-24 at home to 1-point underdog California. That same day the Trojans embarrassed Arizona State in Tempe with a 42-14 thrashing to improve to 3-1 ATS.

These Pac-12 schools are meeting for the first time since 2012 when USC won 24-14 at Washington. Since 2002, the Trojans hold a commanding 9-2 SU advantage in this series, but the Huskies have the 6-5 ATS edge in this timeframe.

Bettors of both schools have some nice trends to look at with Washington 13-4 ATS coming off an upset loss as a home favorite since 1992 and head coach Chris Petersen's 23-9 ATS mark on the road versus good passing teams (58%+ completions). Those expecting USC to win big can point to the fact that underdogs of 10.5 to 21 points in a game involving two excellent passing teams (8.3+ YPA) after allowing 8+ YPA in the previous game are a miserable 6-30 ATS since 1992. Also, Steve Sarkisian is 9-1 ATS at home versus good rushing defenses (120 or less rushing YPG) in his head coaching career.

Sarkisian certainly knows his Thursday opponent having coached at Washington for five years (2009-13) before taking his current gig with USC. But he will have a handful of injury concerns with WR Darreus Rogers (hamstring) doubtful and DTs Antwaun Woods (pectoral) and Claude Pelon (ankle) both questionable for the Trojans. The Huskies have only one significant injury with FS Budda Baker (ankle) listed as questionable.

Washington's offense has picked up some steam in the past three games with 34.7 PPG and 415 total YPG. Freshman QB Jake Browning has not played well against a top-notch opponent though, gaining only 302 passing yards, 0 TD and 3 INT in two games versus Power 5 schools (Boise State and Cal), as opposed to a hefty 694 yards, 5 TD and 1 INT versus smaller schools (Sacramento State and Utah State).

His top receiver this season has been junior fullback Dwayne Washington (17 rec, 223 yds, 2 TD), who racked up an impressive 109 yards on 10 catches and a touchdown in the loss to Cal. Browning's top wideout is WR Jaydon Mickens (13 rec, 121 yds), who is averaging only 9.3 yards per catch and has not scored a touchdown yet.

The Huskies have not done a great job running the football with a mere 107 YPG on 3.6 YPC. This includes just 181 yards on 62 carries (2.9 YPC) over the past two games. Freshman FB Myles Gaskin leads the team with 209 yards on 39 carries (5.4 YPC), but most of those yards (146) came against Sacramento State. In the other three games, he has only 63 yards on 25 carries (2.5 YPC). But the biggest deficiency of this offense is turnovers, as the team already has 10 giveaways, including eight in the past two games.

Defensively, Washington has played great football in allowing only 15.7 PPG and 321 total YPG (4.3 yards per play). This includes the last game against the explosive Cal offense when the unit surrendered 481 yards and 30 points. The run-stop unit has been particularly stout this year in holding opponents to 104 YPG on a mere 2.6 YPC. The Huskies have also forced seven turnovers, including two takeaways in three of the four contests. But taking the ball away from their Thursday opponent won't be easy considering the Trojans have committed only two turnovers all season.

USC's offense has been rolling this season with 46.7 PPG on 532 total YPG. Senior QB Cody Kessler has thrown at least three touchdowns in all four games, totaling 15 TD and only 1 INT to go along with his 1,297 passing yards, 10.6 YPA and 73% completion rate. Sophomore WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has been incredible this year with 537 receiving yards (19.9 avg) and 6 TD. He has scored touchdowns in all four games and has gained at least 89 yards in all four contests. Although Smith-Schuster is dealing with a personal issue, his status is probable for Thursday.

The Trojans have slipped a bit rushing the football though with only 231 yards on 3.9 YPC in the past two games. Despite blowing out Arizona State in the most recent contest, USC managed only 76 yards on 32 totes (2.4 YPC). Freshman RB Ronald Jones II is the team's leading ball carrier (242 rush yards, 8.1 YPC) and ran well against the Sun Devils with 54 yards on 10 totes. However the No. 2 option, senior RB Tre Madden (213 rush yards, 5.8 YPC), was held to an anemic seven yards on nine carries.

The USC defense allowed 41 points in a loss to Stanford, but only 29 points combined in the three wins. That's a pretty impressive feat considering the team's hefty 35:26 average time of possession. The Trojans have given up chunks of yardage though with 410 total YPG broken down as 164 rushing YPG (4.0 YPC) and 246 passing YPG (6.6 YPA). While USC has forced eight turnovers, four of those came last game at Arizona State and the other four came in the season opener versus Arkansas State. With Washington's lack of ball security this year, look for the Trojans defense to really go after the football on Thursday night.

Washington at USC


The Pac-12 is in the spotlight Thursday night with a key game between Washington and USC. High-profile coaches that are very familiar with each other will be on the sidelines tonight in Los Angeles as the Huskies look for a major upset while USC looks to take aim at a conference title even with more prominent games ahead in the coming weeks. Here is a look at both teams in the first meeting since 2012 for the programs.

Match-up: Washington Huskies at USC Trojans
Venue: Los Angeles Memoral Coliseum in Los Angeles, California
Time/TV: Thursday, October 8, 8:00 PM ET – ESPN
Line: USC -17, Over/Under 56
Last Meeting: 2012, USC (-14) 24-14 at Washington

The Trojans were on the short list of serious national title contenders at the outset of the season, returning a lot of experience from a team that went 9-4 in Steve Sarkisian’s first season back in Los Angeles. Sarkisian was an assistant under Pete Carroll for several seasons before taking the head coaching job at Washington in 2009. In five seasons in Seattle, Sarkisian went 35-29 with four bowl appearances after taking over a program that had gone 0-12 in 2008. These teams did not play last season as this will be his first shot at playing a team filled with many kids that he recruited and coached.

USC has lost one of its first four games in now five straight seasons with the Trojans falling in the Pac-12 opener three weeks ago hosting Stanford. The Pac-12 is strong enough that a one-loss champion should still earn an invite to the national playoff in most scenarios as Oregon did last season, but the margin of error is now very slim for the Trojans. USC plays Notre Dame next week on the road in non-conference action and then will face the two remaining undefeated teams in the conference Utah and California in the following two weeks, though at least one of those teams will take a loss before they play USC as they play each other Saturday. USC will also still travel to Eugene as well as hosting Arizona and UCLA in November as getting through the rest of the season without losing again may be a long shot even though this is a highly regarded team.

The Trojans are led by senior quarterback Cody Kessler who has joined a storied list of prolific USC passers with huge numbers the past two seasons. After throwing for over 3,800 yards last season with 39 touchdowns and only five interceptions, he entered the season on the Heisman Trophy shortlist. Through four games this season, he is on pace for another big season with nearly 1,300 yards passing and 15 touchdowns against just one interception with his completion rate over 73 percent. Sophomore JuJu Smith-Schuster has been his favorite target with 27 receptions and over 500 yards already and the USC running game has been productive with 5.4 yards per carry led by freshman Ronald Jones II and senior Tre Madden.

While USC won by lopsided margins vs. Arkansas State and Idaho early this season, there were concerns as the defense allowed over 700 yards in the two games combined. Those concerns have not been alleviated in Pac-12 play as USC has allowed over 900 yards in the two games vs. Stanford and Arizona State, checking in at 91st nationally in total defense despite being 22nd in scoring defense. Senior cornerback Kevon Seymour seems likely to return this week, but the secondary will have its hands full with Washington’s strong group of wide receivers led by senior Jaydon Mickens, who originally committed to USC.

Now leading the Huskies at quarterback is true freshman Jake Browning as last season’s starter Cyler Miles was forced to retire. Browning was a bit of surprise to win the starting job but he has been accurate, completing 65 percent of his passes. He has thrown four interceptions while posting just five touchdown passes and modest yardage but he looks the part of a player that can lead the team for the next few years. A lot of throws have gone to junior Dwayne Washington out of the backfield, who actually leads the team in receptions while freshman tailback Myles Gaskin has been the main rushing threat.

Chris Petersen is in his second season in Seattle after a highly successful run at Boise State. He took the Huskies to a bowl game last season with an 8-6 season that included a 4-5 conference record though no notable wins on the season with the most impressive victory being a 31-7 win at California. Washington played within two scores with Stanford, Arizona State, UCLA, and Arizona as Oregon was the only team to pull away from Washington, who went 6-3 ATS in conference play.

Washington has outstanding defensive numbers at this point in the season and the schedule has featured some heft with a narrow loss at Boise State as well as a narrow loss hosting California in a 2-2 start. Neither of those games was as close in the box score as on the scoreboard and holding Sacramento State and Utah State to low yardage totals and scores skews the numbers. In the Pac-12 opener, California had a 28-15 edge in first downs while posting 481 yards with most of that in the air as Washington trailed by 20 in the second half before late scoring made the outcome look more competitive than it was.

Keeping emotions in check will be big for both teams as USC has to avoid looking ahead to the national stage with the Notre Dame game up next. Washington should be excited to play in primetime against a highly-ranked foe and may have some extra intensity facing their former coach that departed the program. Tempo will also be worth watching as USC has not often come close to the 80 plays per game that Sarkisian stated as the goal before the season started while Washington will want to limit the number of possessions that the explosive USC offense will have. Turnovers will play a big part in that as Washington has committed 10 turnovers already this season while USC has one of the better turnover margins in the nation at +6, committing only two on their own end.

Historical Trends:

USC is 9-2 S/U in this series since 2002, but they have failed to cover in six of the last eight meetings, though they won by 23 as a 12½-point favorite in the last home meeting in 2011. USC is on a 16-9 ATS run as a home favorite since 2011 while going 9-4 ATS in that span when giving at least 14 points at home including covering in both instances this season. Washington is just 14-19 ATS as a road underdog since 2007. The Huskies are on a 5-14-1 ATS run as a road underdog of 14 or more points since 2001, including going 0-3 the past three seasons.

Colts, Texans hook up


INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-2) at HOUSTON TEXANS (1-3)

Sportsbook.ag Line: Indianapolis -1, Total: 45

The Colts hope to get back star QB Andrew Luck on Thursday night when they visit the reeling Texans.

Indianapolis is off to a slow start in 2015 at 0-4 ATS (2-2 SU), but is riding a current streak of 16 straight wins versus AFC South foes. The club escaped past Jacksonville last week with a 16-13 overtime victory, as Luck was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Houston has started 1-3 (SU and ATS) and is eager to get back on the field after a humiliating 48-21 loss in Atlanta last week in a game that was 42-0 after three quarters before some garbage touchdowns made the score closer than it should have been.

The Colts own a commanding 22-4 SU mark all-time in this series, including five straight victories, but the Texans are 8-5 ATS at home all-time against their rival. While bettors for Indy can point to the fact that road teams after being beaten by the spread by 21+ points in their previous three games are 54-21 ATS (72%) in the past 10 seasons versus conference foes where the line is +3 to -3, Houston falls in the category of slow starting offensive teams (7 or less PPG in first half) going 56-26 ATS (68%) since 1983 after allowing 40+ points in their previous game.

Luck isn't the only questionable injured Colts player on Thursday, as LB Jerrell Freeman (groin), CB Jalil Brown (groin), DE Kendall Langford (back) and LB Bjoern Werner (hamstring) also share that same status. The Texans also have a slew of players with a questionable tag, with the most notables being WR Cecil Shorts (shoulder), LB Whitney Mercilus (thigh), LB Akeem Dent (hamstring) and S Quintin Demps (hamstring).

The once-mighty Indianapolis offense has managed only 18.0 PPG and 338 total YPG this season. The Colts are looking for better balance, as they have thrown for 240 yards in all four games, but have topped 100 rushing yards just once, averaging 87 rushing YPG on 4.0 YPC. Luck has faced Houston six times in his career, going 5-1 SU (4-1-1 ATS) with a weak 52% completion rate, but he also has thrown for 231 YPG with 14 TD and only 3 INT. If he is unable to play, the team will again turn to 40-year-old QB Matt Hasselbeck who completed 30-of-47 passes for 282 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT in last week's win.

The biggest disappointment for Indy's stalling offense is WR Andre Johnson, who after posting seven 1,000-yard seasons with Houston, has just seven receptions for 51 yards in four games this season. That includes zero catches in Johnson's past two contests. But the most important receiver on the field is top WR T.Y. Hilton, who has a team-high 294 receiving yards, but zero touchdowns. In last season's trip to Houston, Hilton exploded for 223 receiving yards and a touchdown on nine catches (24.8 avg). Top RB Frank Gore has been dealing with a foot injury, but has been very productive in the past two weeks with 181 total yards and 2 TD.

The Colts defense has surrendered 388 total YPG in 2015, but has allowed only 23.2 PPG. Their main problem has been giving up too many first downs (21.0 per game), leading to a poor 33:28 time of possession. While the run-stop unit has been adequate (119 YPG on 4.1 YPC), the secondary is allowing 268 passing YPG on 7.3 YPA and a 62% completion rate. It hasn't helped that the defense has only three takeaways this year, but the Texans already have eight turnovers in four games.

Houston has been able to gain a good chunk of yardage (384 YPG), but has only 19.2 PPG to show for the efforts. The ground game has a pedestrian 100 YPG on 3.7 YPC, while quarterbacks have thrown for 285 YPG, but have a subpar 53% completion rate with 6 TD and 4 INT. The Texans will start QB Ryan Mallett (5.3 YPA, 3 TD, 3 INT) over Brian Hoyer (7.3 YPA, 3 TD, 1 INT) despite Mallett playing horribly last week (12-of-27, 150 yds, 5.6 YPA, 0 TD, 1 INT) and Hoyer faring much better (17-of-30, 232 yds, 7.7 YPA, 2 TD, 0 INT).

While there are certainly questions on which quarterback can be most successful, there is no question that WR DeAndre Hopkins is the go-to receiver in town with 31 catches for 409 yards and 3 TD this year. With No. 2 WR Cecil Shorts (236 rec yds, 1 TD) questionable to play, veteran WR Nate Washington (210 rec yds) may see some more targets. RB Arian Foster made his season debut last week after missing the first three games with a groin injury, but gained only 10 yards on eight carries. Foster has always been a nightmare for Colts defenders though, as he has gained a robust 1,125 total yards (141 YPG), 6.0 YPC and 8 TD in eight career meetings.

The Houston defense has been a huge disappointment this season in allowing 27.0 PPG on 344 total YPG. A big part of the large amount of points allowed is the unit's mere two takeaways, as the per-play averages of 5.4 YPP, 3.8 YPC and 6.9 YPA aren't that bad. While superstar DE J.J. Watt has been his typical productive self with four sacks and 8 TFL, his teammates have combined for only two sacks and 6 TFL. The Texans need somebody else to pressure the quarterback, such as 2014 top draft pick OLB Jadeveon Clowney who has yet to record a sack in eight career games.

3 injured Colts stay behind, but Luck heads to Houston

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Colts quarterback Andrew Luck made the trip to Houston but three of his teammates stayed home.

Team officials said linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Bjoern Werner and running back Tyler Varga did not travel Wednesday. None of the three practiced this week. Freeman is out with a groin injury, Werner has an injured hamstring and Varga will miss his second straight game with a concussion.

The bigger question has been Luck, who was limited in practice this week with an injured right shoulder.

He missed his first pro game Sunday, ending a streak of 57 consecutive starts including playoffs. Luck said Tuesday he is preparing to start.

If he can't go, 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck probably would. Hasselbeck missed Tuesday's practice because of illness.

Colts-Texans Capsule


INDIANAPOLIS (2-2) at HOUSTON (1-3)

Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS/NFL Network

OPENING LINE - OFF

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Colts 0-4, Texans 1-3

SERIES RECORD - Colts lead 22-4

LAST MEETING - Colts beat the Texans 17-10, Dec. 14, 2014

LAST WEEK - Colts beat Jaguars 16-13, OT; Texans lost to Falcons 48-21

AP PRO32 RANKING - Colts No. 17, Texans No. 28

COLTS OFFENSE - OVERALL (21), RUSH (26), PASS (12).

COLTS DEFENSE - OVERALL (27), RUSH (25), PASS (23).

TEXANS OFFENSE - OVERALL (7), RUSH (21), PASS (6).

TEXANS DEFENSE - OVERALL (11), RUSH (22), PASS (11).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -

Colts have won 15 straight against AFC South opponents. ... Colts QB Andrew Luck is expected to play after sitting out last week with shoulder injury. He is 5-1 against Houston with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. ... WR Andre Johnson spent first 12 seasons in Houston. He had just one game without a catch with Texans, but has had two in last two weeks. ... Johnson (1,019) needs six catches to pass Isaac Bruce for eighth most in NFL history. ... LB D'Qwell Jackson leads Colts with 47 tackles, including 17 last week. ... K Adam Vinatieri (1,004) became Colts' all-time leading scorer last week and first player in NFL to score 1,000 or more points with two teams after scoring 1,158 for New England. ... WR Donte Moncrief has touchdown in three of Colts' last four games. ... Houston QB Ryan Mallett will make first career start within division. ... Thursday will be 150th career game for WR Nate Washington. ... In last nine games DE J.J. Watt has 15 sacks, two forced fumbles, fumble recovery, safety, six passes defensed and touchdown catch. ... LB Brian Cushing leads Texans with 33 tackles, including 11 last week. ... RB Arian Foster made season debut last week after missing first three games after groin surgery. Foster and had eight carries for 10 yards. ... Fantasy Tip: WR DeAndre Hopkins had nine catches for 157 yards last week and has 816 yards receiving with five touchdowns in last nine games. Hopkins might get even more targets with WR Cecil Shorts out with shoulder injury, making him even more attractive fantasy option.

NFL Week 5 Essentials

Thursday, Oct. 8

Indianapolis at Houston: Star QB Andrew Luck missed Sunday’s OT win over Jacksonville, but the Colts are confident he'll be able to play here. Then again, head coach Chuck Pagano was banking on that last week too, which makes this a situation we’ll be monitoring until game day. 40-year-old backup Matt Hasselbeck did enough to defeat the Jaguars at home, but this would be a much tougher challenge given the short week of preparation, road atmosphere and an embarrassed Texans defense looking to bounce back from being demolished in Atlanta.

Colts' Luck does limited work in practice


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Andrew Luck is rested, ready and eager to play Thursday night at Houston.

Whether he's healthy enough to dress may not be settled until shortly before kickoff.

Two days after missing his first professional game, the Colts quarterback stayed out of the view of reporters during Tuesday's practice and was again listed as a limited participant and day to day with an injured right shoulder.

Afterward, Luck acknowledged the recovery is going well and he hopes to start in his hometown.

''I think I've gotten better every day,'' Luck said. ''I don't think I'm necessarily where I would want to be today in a perfect, perfect world, but I'm getting better every day.''

Luck is no longer the only quarterback on Indianapolis' injury report, either.

Backup Matt Hasselbeck, who rallied the Colts to a 16-13 overtime victory Sunday against Jacksonville, missed practice with what coach Chuck Pagano described as an illness.

Without Hasselbeck, Pagano said Luck took most of the snaps and threw some passes during the closed portion of practice. The rest of the snaps went to practice squad quarterback Alex Tanney.

And Luck is weary of the speculation about what's wrong.

He'd rather talk about anything else - the two-game winning streak that has Indianapolis (2-2) back atop the AFC South, Hasselbeck's comeback victory Sunday, the return to his hometown, even Indy's 15-game winning streak against division foes.

But as long as there are concerns about Luck's health, the questions won't stop.

One media report Monday said that Luck has a partially separated shoulder. Pagano said Monday that's not the diagnosis he received, and Luck declined to shed any additional light on the injury Tuesday.

''I'm not going to give credence to any report. People have told me a lot of different things that I allegedly have or don't have,'' said Luck, who started his first 57 NFL games including the playoffs. ''So I'm not going to address one (report) that would give it any credence.''

Meanwhile, the Texans (1-3) aren't paying much attention to the updates coming out of Indy.

As they try to climb back into the division race by derailing the Colts' quest for a record-breaking 16th consecutive win against division foes, Texans coach Bill O'Brien told a small group of Indianapolis reporters it makes no difference which quarterback starts.

''I would say Andrew Luck will play in the game, so we will prepare for him,'' O'Brien said during the conference call. ''We also watched last week's tape when Matt played so we'll be ready for him, too. But I would say it's not going to alter our game plan either way too much.''

Hasselbeck believes Luck will play and there are hints leaning in that direction.

Pagano has already noted Luck appears to be further along in his recovery this week than he was last week.

Luck lobbed two very short screen passes during Monday's walkthrough open portion of practice and apparently did more extensive work Tuesday.

Indy also released third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, who was signed as an emergency option Friday. That leaves only two quarterbacks - Luck and Hasselbeck - on Indy's active roster.

So will Luck start?

''I'm prepared to start and play and have a chance to go up against a really good football team in the Texans,'' Luck said. ''Again, that's the preparation mindset.''

And Hasselbeck will be ready, just in case.

''I'm OK, I'm fine,'' he said. ''I'm sure I'll be ready to go if they need me.''

Notes:

Safety Mike Adams (neck), defensive lineman Henry Anderson (foot), cornerbacks Jalil Brown (groin) and Vontae Davis (foot), linebackers Jerrell Freeman (groin) and Bjoern Werner (hamstring) and running back Tyler Varga (concussion) all sat out Tuesday. ... Running back Frank Gore (foot) and defensive end Kendall Langford (back), who missed Monday's practice, returned to practice Tuesday. ... Tight end Dwayne Allen (ankle) and cornerback Greg Toler (neck) did full workouts for the second straight day.

Preview: Indianapolis at Houston

When: 8:25 PM ET, Thursday, October 8, 2015
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping Andrew Luck will be back under center when they visit the struggling Houston Texans on Thursday night in an AFC South matchup. Luck missed the first game of his career in last week's 16-13 overtime win over Jacksonville due an injured right shoulder, but Colts coach Chuck Pagano said his quarterback is "trending in the right direction."

Luck told reporters he is not giving any "credence" to a report that he is dealing with a subluxation of his throwing shoulder and said he is preparing to start against Houston. "I don’t think I’m necessarily where I would want to be today in a perfect, perfect world. But better every day," Luck said. The Texans are having quarterback issues of their own, but coach Bill O'Brien said he is sticking with Ryan Mallett, who replaced Brian Hoyer after Week 1. Indianapolis has won five in a row over the Texans and 15 straight against division opponents.

TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS, NFL Network. LINE: Off. O/U: Off

ABOUT THE COLTS (2-2): Wide receiver Andre Johnson was a dominant force during a 12-year tenure with the Texans, racking up 1,012 career receptions, but he has labored in his first season with Indianapolis and does not have a catch in either of his past two games. Running back Frank Gore is also off to a slow start with the Colts, who survived three missed field goals by the Jaguars before prevailing last week behind 40-year-old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Indianapolis' defense has been vulnerable through the air, allowing 268 yards passing per game while registering only five sacks.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (1-3): Mallett was benched in favor of Hoyer during last week's 48-21 loss at Atlanta after completing 12-of-27 passes for a season-low 150 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. O'Brien also is sticking with Mallett despite the fact that he owns a completion percentage of 51.8 percent. Arian Foster made his season debut after returning from groin surgery, but failed to provide a lift to the ground game with only 10 yards rushing on eight carries. Third-year wideout DeAndre Hopkins has 31 catches and is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Colts can break the Miami Dolphins' record for consecutive division wins set in 1972-73.

2. Texans DE J.J. Watt has four sacks on the season and 15 overall in his last nine games.

3. Luck is 5-1 versus Houston, throwing for 1,385 yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions.

PREDICTION: Colts 23, Texans 20

Preview: Southern Methodist at Houston

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 8, 2015
Where: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas


The game plan likely will be the same for both defenses when SMU visits undefeated Houston on Thursday. The offenses of these in-state American Athletic Conference rivals revolve around dual-threat quarterbacks - SMU's Matt Davis and Houston's Greg Ward, Jr.



"We have to stop the quarterback," Houston first-year coach Tom Herman told the media Monday. "We have to get pressure on him because he is a good-enough thrower (that) if you let him stand back there, (he can) beat you with his arm. We have to contain him." Davis leads the Mustangs with 380 yards and six touchdowns, and hasn't thrown an interception in 123 passing attempts. Ward has been more impressive and is gaining national attention after rushing for three scores last week. Ward is the only player in the nation averaging more than 200 passing yards (264.5) and 100 rushing (118) and is ranked fifth in the country in total offense.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Houston -25



ABOUT SMU (1-4, 0-1 AAC): Davis (1,182 yards, eight TDs, two interceptions) has several young, talented receivers to which to throw, including Courtland Sutton (21 catches, 450 yards, five TDs). The Mustangs, who have lost three straight after allowing 42 unanswered points to East Carolina, have given up the most sacks in FBS (21). The defense is allowing the most yards in the country (593.4) and is ranked 124th out of 128 teams in scoring defense (44.4).

ABOUT HOUSTON (4-0, 1-0): The Cougars are ranked fourth nationally in total offense (602.5) behind Ward and running back Kenneth Farrow (385 yards, two TDs). Linebacker Steven Taylor leads the AAC with five sacks after recording three against Tulsa. The Cougars, who have won eight of their last nine meetings with SMU, are allowing 23.2 points while recording 13 sacks and 11 turnovers.



EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cougars are the only team in the nation ranked in the top 10 in both rushing defense (eighth, 82 yards) and rushing offense (seventh, 382.5).

2. Half of SMU's 20 TD drives have taken less than two minutes, putting the Mustangs in a tie with Texas Tech (17-of-34) for ninth in the nation.

3. Houston will hold tryouts this week after K Kyle Bullard missed two field goals in Saturday's win against Tulsa and fell to 5-of-9 on the season.



PREDICTION: Houston 46, SMU 20

Preview: Washington at Southern California

When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 8, 2015
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Steve Sarkisian coaches against his former team for the first time on Thursday when No. 17 USC hosts Washington in Pac-12 play. Sarkisian spent five seasons as coach of the Huskies before departing after the 2013 season and the Huskies replaced him with Chris Petersen, who hotly pursued the Trojans' gig but reportedly was underwhelming during the interview process.

Petersen, who went from Boise State to Washington, is still putting his stamp on the Huskies program during his second season as coach. Freshman quarterback Jake Browning has walked on campus and thrown for 996 yards and five touchdowns in four games as Washington looks toward the future. Sarkisian's goal is reaching the Pac-12 title game and he claims there is nothing special about coaching against the Huskies for the initial time. “I respect those kids a lot," Sarkisian told reporters. "We recruited them and got them to come to Seattle with the best interests at heart to go out and be successful. It’s going to be fun to compete against them. I know they’re going to be ready to go. I wouldn’t expect anything less of them.”

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: USC -17.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12): The Huskies have been stellar on defense and lead the Pac-12 in scoring defense (15.8), total defense (321.0 yards per game) and rushing defense (104.5). Junior cornerback Kevin King has a team-high three interceptions and sophomore linebacker Azeem Victor has a team-best 38 tackles. Freshman running back Myles Gaskin (209 yards) and junior Dwayne Washington (138) split the rushing duties while Washington also leads the Huskies with 17 receptions and 223 receiving yards.

ABOUT USC (3-1, 1-1): Senior quarterback Cody Kessler has been spectacular through four games by completing 73 percent of his passes for 1,297 yards, 15 touchdowns and just one interception. Freshman Ronald Jones II (242 yards) and senior Tre Madden (213) are the top two rushers while standout sophomore wideout Juju Smith-Schuster has hauled in 27 receptions for 537 yards and six touchdowns. Freshman inside linebacker Cameron Smith has a team-leading 30 tackles while junior outside linebacker Su'a Cravens has 27 tackles -- including four for losses -- and one interception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. USC leads the series 51-28-4 and won the most recent meeting, 24-13 in 2012 in Seattle.

2. Sarkisian compiled a 34-29 record in his five seasons as Washington coach.

3. Huskies senior WR Jaydon Mickens ranks fifth in school history with 158 career receptions and has a chance to pass both Paul Skansi (161 from 1979-82) and Kasen Williams (162 from 2011-14).

PREDICTION: USC 34, Washington 23

Preview: Rangers at Blue Jays

GAME: Texas Rangers (88-74) at Toronto Blue Jays (93-69)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, October 08 - 3:30 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Playoff Series: Divisional Playoff; Series Tied 0-0

The Toronto Blue Jays play their first postseason game in 22 years when they host the Texas Rangers on Thursday in the opening game of the American League Division Series. Joe Carter's walk-off homer against Philadelphia won the 1993 World Series for the Blue Jays and the franchise hasn't been part of the postseason since that memorable moment.

Texas wasn't forecasted to be playing in October but the club stunningly won the AL West after winning just 67 games in 2014. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre swung a hot bat over the past two-plus months - .328 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs - and has five career postseason homers. Toronto has an explosive offense but leading AL MVP candidate Josh Donaldson has struggled on the postseason stage with no homers and no RBIs in 43 career at-bats. Ace pitcher David Price starts Game 1 and he has experienced his own postseason issues by going 0-5 with a 4.98 ERA in five starts.

TV: 3:37 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, Sportsnet

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH David Price (18-5, 2.45)

Gallardo defeated Toronto twice this season and didn't allow a run in 13 2/3 innings - the only victories the Rangers had against the Blue Jays in six meetings. He was 2-2 with a hefty 4.85 ERA in six September starts but his success versus the Blue Jays made him the easy Game 1 call for manager Jeff Banister. "I just go up there and pitch my game," Gallardo said in a press conference. "They know the way I pitch. It seems like I have faced those guys throughout my career. It's not easy."

Price was 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts for the Blue Jays after being acquired from Detroit. He will have 11 days off between starts so the possibility of early inning command issues does exist. Price won each of his final five regular-season starts but is just 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 11 career regular-season outings against the Rangers and is 0-3 with a 4.66 ERA in three postseason starts against Texas - the playoff outings coming when he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki (shoulder) is still experiencing pain but declared himself ready for the series.

2. Texas LF Shin-Soo Choo was the AL Player of the Month for September, when he batted .404 with five homers and 20 RBIs.

3. Toronto RF Jose Bautista went 2-for-16 with a homer against the Rangers this season.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Rangers 5