Houston Cougars vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles Point Spread Picks

Southern Mississippi just had three players shot on Sunday night and all will likely make it, but one is apparently paralyzed from the waist down. We have seen teams rise to the occasion under really emotional conditions. After his father died, Brett Favre had one of his best games ever. The Giants rolled the Redskins the week that owner Wellington Marra died. UConn went off for a season high 501 yards on West Virginia after the Jasper Howard murder. So I expect an insipred effor by the Golden Eagles. This team is well coached and Larry Fedora's teams get better late. This is his third year and his first started 2-6, and they ran off the final four outscoring opponents 136-35 and then won their Bowl game as a dog. Last year they went 4-1 down the stretch. This year they have won their last two, but have scored 40+ in five of their last six. Houston is down to their third string QB in Dave Piland, and as film gets out on him, he is struggling as he threw five interceptions last week. Houston has historically struggled vs. good offensive teams having gone just 3-14 ATS in their last 17 on the road vs. teams that score 31+ ppg. The Cougars are also just 1-8 ATS the past three seasons taking to the road after a home game. Southern Miss will be sky high for this one, dedicating it to their stricken teammates - a situation that usually means the "A" game. I'll go with an inspired Southern Miss.