FACTS & STATS: Site: Robertson Stadium (32,000) -- Houston, Texas. Television: Local. Home Record: Marshall 2-3, Houston 3-1. Away Record: Marshall 0-5, Houston 3-3. Neutral Record: Marshall 0-0, Houston 0-0. Conference Record: Marshall 2-4, Houston 5-2. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: In a Conference-USA tilt at Robertson Stadium, the Houston Cougars will host the Marshall Thundering Herd this Saturday afternoon. After opening the season with seven straight losses, the Thundering Herd have won two of their last three games, including a solid 26-7 victory over East Carolina this past weekend. Marshall has been dreadful on the road this season, losing all five of its matchups outside of Huntington. Next week, Marshall will close out its regular season with a home contest against UAB. As for the Cougars, their chance to claim the West Division title in the C-USA took a major hit this past weekend, as the squad was destroyed by Tulsa, 56-7. With the loss, the Cougars are now tied with the Golden Hurricane at 5-2 in league action, but Tulsa now holds the tie-breaker advantage. Next week the Cougars will close out their regular season with an out of conference matchup against Texas Southern at Robertson Stadium. This will be the first-ever meeting between Marshall and Houston on the gridiron.

The success of Marshall's offense is due mainly to the dangerous passing attack the team possesses. Marshall heads into this matchup averaging an impressive 268.4 ypg through the air. Overall the unit is posting a mediocre 407.2 total ypg, but that has led to a mere 22.4 ppg. In the team's recent victory over East Carolina, the Thundering herd put forth their most impressive performance of the season, throwing for 239 yards, while also posting a surprising 238 rushing yards as well. Quarterback Bernard Morris did it all in the victory, throwing for 238 yards and two scores, while also leading the ground game with 126 yards and one touchdown. Morris has been solid for Marshall throughout the season and heads into this game with a 62.7 completion rating and 2,580 passing yards. The signal-caller has also tossed 15 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions on the year. The biggest beneficiaries from Morris' success are wideouts Cody Slate and Darius Passmore. The two receivers have combined for 101 receptions, 1,371 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Unfortunately the defensive unit for Marshall has been embarrassed throughout the season, as the team is currently surrendering 33.7 ppg behind a whopping 444.2 total ypg. The opposition has dominated the Thundering Herd by throwing for 243.1 ypg, while also gashing the team's defensive unit for 201.1 ypg on the ground. Shockingly in the game this past weekend, the Thundering Herd put forth possibly their best effort of the season, holding ECU to a pathetic 259 total yards of production. Marshall held the Pirates to just 151 yards through the air, and an even more impressive 108 rushing yards on 28 carries. Surprisingly the team did not force a single turnover in the matchup and finished the game with just three sacks. The Thundering Herd have severely struggled in both areas, recording just five takeaways, while collecting just 13 sacks.

The Cougars dangerous offensive attack was completely shut down this past weekend against Tulsa, as the team was held to a meager 324 total yards en route to a 49-point loss to the Golden Hurricane. It was a very surprising outcome, especially when considering that Houston is posting a whopping 522.0 total ypg on the year, which has led to 37.2 ppg. Quarterback Case Keenum had one of his worst performances of his career, throwing for 81 yards and one interception on 12-of-15 passing. Despite the poor outing, Keenum has done a commendable job this season, completing 67.0 percent of his passes for 1,424 yards and 10 scores, against eight INTs. As for the ground game, the Cougars were slightly better, rushing for 198 yards on 4.6 ypc. Anthony Alridge led the way with 91 yards on 16 carries, but it was Terrance Ganaway that found the end zone for Houston, as the tailback collected 39 yards and one TD on eight attempts. Throughout the season Alridge has been the main back for Houston, rushing for 1,217 yards and 11 scores.

In the same contest, the Cougars defensive unit, which has been solid for most of the season, was embarrassed by the Golden Hurricane. Houston was abused for 515 total yards of production, as the team yielded 202 yards on the ground, while also surrendering 313 yards through the air. It was an overall surprising performance by the Cougars, who are currently surrendering a mediocre 366.4 total ypg. The team was unable to make the big play in the contest as well, finishing the game with just one turnover and two sacks. Throughout the year that team has not done well in either area, forcing just 17 takeaways, while collecting 14 sacks. Phillip Hunt has been a monster on the front line for Houston, as the defensive end has recorded a team-high 12.5 TFLs and seven sacks.

Last week was a very tough game for the Cougars, but do not expect them to hang their heads. Houston will likely come out Saturday looking to prove a point and make an example out of Marshall.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Houston 55, Marshall 21

Saturday, November 17th, 3:30 p.m. (et)