NCAA Football Rankings: Houston Cougars Continue To Rise, No. 10 In Coaches Poll

The Houston Cougars continue to climb the rankings, now sit at No. 10 in this week's coaches poll.

Houston Vs. Tulane Postgame Quotes: Cougars' Toughest Opponent Is Themselves

Leave it to a head coach to find flaws in a 73-13 win, but Houston's Kevin Sumlin wasn't overjoyed with the Cougars' performance. He told the Houston Chronicle's Sam Khan that there's always something to be improved, but yeah, they were like, decent and stuff:

"It was OK. We were a little bit off tonight. They did some things … it’s really kind of interesting. They had a different game plan playing some two-man (lines) and that’s when Charles (Sims) took over. And what can you say about Charles Sims?"

"All in all it’s hard to argue with 700 something yards and how our guys performed."

No kidding. Sumlin did mention penalties as a weak spot for the Cougars as of late. Assumedly, without them Houston could've broke 90 in New Orleans. Ah, nitpicking:

"If there’s anything we can do better, in the last couple of weeks we had a rash of penalties," (A few) weeks ago we played Rice and we had one penalty. Some of them, I don’t know, we’ll watch the video. But our guys are playing hard. They’ve got energy, they like each other, they complement each other and I’m pretty happy with where we are 10 games into the season."

The Chronicle grabbed Case Keenum on video to talk about his three touchdown performance:

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Case Keenum Watch: Houston QB Continues To Break Records, Eyes All-Time Completions Mark

Thanks to Houston's success at scoring in almost every facet of the game, the Cougars reigned in Case Keenum in the second half, benching him en route to a 73-13 win over Tulane. Still, Keenum's 325 yards and three touchdown passes continue to advance his Heisman campaign and pad his staggering career stats. To the fun facts, with bullet points!

• Keenum's career total offense is a growing NCAA record, currently at 18,434 total yards (17,537 yards passing).
• His career touchdown passes (144) is a NCAA record, and his touchdown passes this season (37) lead the country. Bonus: His touchdown to interception ratio (37 to 3) is the best in the nation as well. 
• If Keenum passes for at least 49 yards next week against SMU, he'll achieve his third 4,000 yard passing season, making him the second player in history to do so (Hawaii's Timmy Chang being the first).
• Why stop at 4,000? It's feasible (but somewhat unlikely) that Keenum could pass for 1,397 more yards over four games (two regular season games, a potential C-USA title game and a bowl) and become the first player in NCAA history to pass for 5,000 or more yards in three different seasons.
• Keenum only needs seven more completed passes to pass Texas Tech's Graham Harrell for the NCAA record in completions (1,403). Considering Keenum opened the game against Tulane a perfect 7-for-7 and last week's UAB contest 11-for-11, that's somewhat of an inevitability. 

For more on Case Keenum and Houston, check out SB Nation's college football news hub.

Houston Vs. Tulane Final: Charles Sims Goes All Case Keenum On The Wave, Cougars Win 73-13

Houston's backfield hasn't enjoyed quite the attention its record breaking senior quarterback Case Keenum has this season, but against the lame duck Tulane Green Wave, running back Charles Sims put up numbers just as ridiculous as his quarterback's.

Sims rushed for 207 yards (a career high), a stat built primarily off of two single plays - touchdown runs of 72 and 52 yards - and returned two punts for touchdowns in a 73-13 win. Keenum, meanwhile, had a meh-tastic 325 yards passing and three touchdowns before being benched in the second half. His career total now sits at a staggering 17,537 yards. Quoteth the AP:

"We are manufacturing points all kinds of ways," said Houston coach Kevin Sumlin, whose team has scored a season-high 73 points twice in its last three games. "Everyone is getting in on the act. You know at this time of year, you need that."

For more on Case Keenum and Houston, check out SB Nation's college football news hub. 

Houston Vs. Tulane Score: Cougars Take Comfortable 35-10 Lead Into Halftime

After a slow start, the Houston Cougars exploded for 35 points in the second quarter and take a 35-7 lead over Tulane into halftime. Houston running back Charles Sims had a huge first half piling up 199 yards on just seven carries with two touchdowns. 

The Cougars struck first marching 89 yards in just 1:07 as Bryce Beall's 11 yard touchdown run made the score 7-0. Patrick Edwards extended the score with a 70 yard punt return for a touchdown on Houston's next possession to make the score 14-0. 

Tulane got on the board with a 80 yard drive of its own that was capped off by Orleans Darkwa's three yard touchdown run. The Cougars would come right back with a 52 yard rushing score from Charles Sims and a Case Keenum touchdown pass to Patrick Edwards. Cairo Santos kicked a 42 yard field goal for the Green Wave late in the first half to make the score 28-10. Sims then ripped off a 72 yard run with just 31 seconds remaining to give the Cougars a 35-10 lead. 

Case Keenum finished the first half 16 of 20 for 158 yards and a touchdown. Sims also caught five passes for 45 yards in the first half. Orleans Darkwa has 94 yards on 15 carries for Tulane. 

For more on Houston, Tulane and everything college football, check out SB Nation's college football news hub.

Houston Vs. Tulane: TV Info, Radio And More

The Cougars will showcase Case Keenum on a weeknight primetime conference game for the second time in three weeks tonight at Tulane. But that's pretty much the extent of exposure for Keenum's Heisman potential, as Sports Illustrated On Campus reports.

That's not say Keenum doesn't have an official Heisman endorsement (the requisite school sponsored web site is here), but for now the team is downplaying everything that doesn't involve winning the C-USA. Keenum is playing his part accordingly, downplaying his feats to the media on Tuesday:

"They will probably sink in later. I know for a fact that is an honor to be a part of the things we have been a part of this season. They are really special, but at the same time I wont take it all in until the end of the season. I want it to be a part of what this season could be. We have to take it in one game at a time. That is just how we approach every week and how we will approach this week too."

Game date, time: Thursday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. CT

Location: Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: SportsTalk Radio 790 AM Houston

Streaming: none

For more on Houston, Tulane and everything college football, check out SB Nation's college football news hub.

Houston Vs. Tulane: Green Wave's Scoring Defense Braces For Case Keenum

The Cougars are focused on a C-USA title berth and more on a trip to New Orleans.