Football preps for clash with Houston’s record breaking offense

Georgia State football preps for clash with Houston's record breaking offense

The Georgia State defense has shown an inability to stop the run but on Sept. 24, the Panthers will face off against one of the most potent passing offenses in all of college football. The game will be Georgia State's second matchup against an Football Bowl Series program and it's last before they play at Tennessee's Neyland Stadium in 2012. Although, Houston doesn't have quite the same size, speed and pedigree of Alabama, they are considered a potential BCS buster. They also have Case Keenum. The Georgia State secondary has never faced a passing offense that is quite as explosive as Houston's. Led by Keenum, the Cougars have established themselves as one of the top scoring offenses in college football history. This season, Keenum, is on pace to eclipse college football's all-time career passing yardage and touchdown record. Keenum has already passed for 1,119 yards, 10 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and is averaging nearly 10 yards per pass attempt through three games this season.   His premiere targets are 5-foot-8 Tyrone Carrier and 5-foot-9 Patrick Edwards. Despite, their diminutive height both receivers put up big numbers. Houston wide receiver Patrick Edwards was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week after catching eight passes for 187 yards and one touchdown against North Texas in the season opener. Carrier is one of the fastest athletes in college football and actually qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 200-meter dash and participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008. On special teams, Carrier is also an all-conference kick returner. This season, Carrier became Houston's all-time leading in all-purpose yards. Last year's season-ending match against Alabama yielded only 7 points, which came on special teams. However, unlike Alabama's defense the Cougars defense has so many holes, it could be deemed a public safety hazard. The Cougars gave up 554 yards and 34 points in week two of the regular season.   The Panthers still haven't developed a consistent rushing offense or defense. The Panthers will be hindered by the absence of wide receiver, Albert Wilson, who is listed as doubtful after suffering a hamstring injury. As usual, the point is to win the game but realistically, the Panthers will be looking for a moral victory by keeping it competitive for four quarters, slowing down Houston's passing offense and moving the ball through the air. The key to the Georgia State game plan will be to complete high percentage passes and challenge the Houston secondary. Defensively, the Panthers frontline is small to overpower Houston's offensive line, therefore linebacker Dexter Moody and the Muasau brothers will have to aid the defensive line in pressuring Keenum and allow the cornerbacks to make plays in the secondary. The game will be played at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas at 8 p.m and will air on CSS.