Thursday Previews.

Preview: Connecticut at Houston

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, September 29, 2016
Where: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

Seventh-ranked Houston gets a chance to avenge its only loss from last year when it hosts Connecticut in an American Athletic Conference game Thursday night. Both starting quarterbacks missed the majority of last year's meeting - a 20-17 UConn home victory- but return healthy for the rematch.
Houston's Greg Ward Jr., who didn't play at UConn because of an ankle injury until backup Kyle Postma was injured late in the fourth quarter, has won 17 straight as the Cougars' starter. The Cougars, looking to begin 5-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, recorded at least 40 points and 500 total yards in three straight games. Bryant Shirreffs, who left last year's game with a concussion on the second series, helped the Huskies overcome slow starts in all four games. UConn has been outscored 31-0 in the first quarter this season before having all four games decided by seven or fewer points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Houston -27.5

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (2-2, 0-1 AAC): Shirreffs threw for 819 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed for another score. Noel Thomas Jr. (40 receptions, 388 yards, one TD) has nearly half of UConn's catches (81) and receiving yards (861) after a 14-catch performance against Syracuse. The Huskies were stopped at the goal line in losses to Navy (as time expired) and Syracuse (late in the fourth quarter), and got late game-winning field goals from Bobby Puyol (5-of-5 in field goals and 10-of-10 on extra points) in their two wins.

ABOUT HOUSTON (4-0, 1-0): Ward (936 passing yards, five touchdowns and 113 rushing yards, three TDs) leads a balanced offense that's averaging 44.8 points. Senior linebacker Steven Taylor (tied for second nationally with 5.5 total sacks) leads a unit that is ranked first in the nation in rushing defense (37 yards), fourth in scoring defense (10.5 points) and fifth in total defense (228.8 yards). The Cougars held six straight opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards, including three straight (Texas State, 33; Cincinnati, 30; Lamar, 15) to 33 or fewer.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UConn lost six turnovers (four fumbles, two interceptions) with three (two fumbles and an interception by Shirreffs) returned for touchdowns.

2. Houston CB Brandon Wilson (lower leg) and RB Mulbah Car (knee) will miss the game with injuries.

3. Houston (1.45) is the only team in the country holding opponents to fewer than 1.5 yards per rush.

Preview: Kansas at Texas Tech

When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, September 29, 2016
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II leads the most productive passing attack in the country as Texas Tech opens Big 12 play against visiting Kansas on Thursday night. Mahomes, who has thrown for almost 500 yards per game to lead the nation, keys an offense averaging 61 points through the non-conference schedule and looks to extend the Jayhawks losing streak away from Lawrence, Kan., to 40 games.
Mahomes, a junior, boasts 14 touchdown passes and ran for another four while eight players posted at least 100 yards receiving. “He’s hard to tackle. He’s very well-coached. He’s got a ridiculous arm,” Kansas coach Dave Beaty told reporters of Mahomes. “He can throw it from anywhere, and he breaks rules, because he’ll throw it to the wrong guy and he’ll still put it in there.” The Jayhawks, who like the Red Raiders did not play last week, won their opener against over-matched Rhode Island before losing their last two contests, allowing a combined 80 points. Kansas must cut down on its turnovers to be competitive in the Big 12 after coughing up the ball 11 times in three games, tied for third-most in FBS.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Texas Tech -28.5

ABOUT KANSAS (1-2): The Jayhawks have some offensive weapons when they are able to keep possession of the ball with junior quarterback Montell Cozart at the helm. Cozart has completed 68.6 percent of his passes, but had two interceptions in the loss to Memphis last time out, and Steven Sims Jr. (11 catches, 253 yards, four touchdowns) is his top target although the sophomore was held to two receptions at Memphis. Senior Ke’aun Kinner is the leading rusher with 134 yards, but freshman Khalil Herbert could get more opportunities after a 66-yard TD run last game.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (2-1): Coach Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense is deep with talent and sophomore receiver Jonathan Giles emerged as the top threat with three touchdowns against Louisiana Tech last time out. Giles leads the team with 19 receptions for 346 yards and five scores while junior Cameron Batson (14, 197, three), junior running back Justin Stockton (10, 191, one) and junior Dylan Cantrell (11, 168, three) are all dangerous targets at Mahomes' disposal. The Texas Tech defense is giving up 531.3 yards per contest – 206.7 on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Red Raiders won 16 of 17 meetings against the Jayhawks, including nine in a row, but struggled to a 30-20 victory last year.

2. The Kansas defense has 29 tackles for loss in the first three games by 16 different players.

3. Mahomes is 307 passing yards away from becoming the fourth Texas Tech player to reach 8,000.

Thursday my bad