HOUSTON -- Coach Tom Herman has spent all offseason downplaying the importance of Houstons opener against No. Otis Sistrunk Womens Jersey . 3 Oklahoma.The high-profile matchup at NRG Stadium, the home of the NFLs Texans, on Saturday wont decide a conference championship nor will it pave the way to a spot in the College Football Playoff for the winner.Just going in with the mindset that its just another game that we will be prepared for, said Cougars cornerback Brandon Wilson, toeing the company line.So, yes, there is still almost a whole season to play and the opener only counts for one. All the cliches apply. But a victory by 15th-ranked Houston unquestionably opens up a world of playoff possibilities for the much-hyped Cougars, the American Athletic Conference and maybe the Group of Five conferences in general. A loss by the Cougars and they can focus on defending that league title.The Cougars capped a 13-1 season with a 38-24 victory against Florida State in the Peach Bowl in January. The buzz in Houston for the Coogs hasnt been this high since the late 1980s and early `90s. Back then it was star quarterbacks Andre Ware and David Klingler run-and-shooting their way into the record books.That era ended abruptly. Houston started the 1991 season ranked No. 12, and went into its second game of the season against No. 2 Miami ranked 10th. Instead of a breakthrough, Klingler and the Cougars got buried 40-10 by the Hurricanes.Houstons preseason ranking this year is its best since `91, but the Cougars are trying to hold on to the underdog intensity they had last year when they werent even favored to win their division.Weve tried to keep that chip on our shoulder. That kind of made us who we are, tight end Tyler McCloskey said.What will it take for Houston or any Group of Five team to reach the playoff? The playoff has only been around for two years and there hasnt been a test case yet for the selection committee. An undefeated record is probably a good start. At least one big nonconference win will be important because the quality wins the committee looks for are tough to accumulate outside Power Five leagues.A big season by the Cougars has the potential to be the story of the playoff race when the rankings start coming out in early November. Thats why of all the compelling matchups in a great first weekend of the season, the stakes are highest in Houston.Things to know about the third meeting between Oklahoma and Houston:HEISMAN WATCHTrying to follow in the footsteps of Ware, Houstons only Heisman Trophy winner, is Greg Ward Jr. He was one of two FBS quarterbacks to pass for more than 2,000 yards and run for more than 1,000 last season. He accounted for 38 touchdowns.The biggest thing he does is take advantage of blitzing teams or D-ends running up field. Hes just going to step up and try to get down field or get a scramble drill going, Oklahoma cornerback Dakota Austin said.Defending Big 12 champion and playoff semifinalist Oklahoma has its own Heisman contender quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who passed for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns last year and finished fourth in the Heisman voting.Both give you trouble scrambling around with their legs, Sooner coach Bob Stoops said of Mayfield and Ward. Just talented players, I think, is the number one thing you can say about them both.GO-TO RECEIVERSBoth teams enter the season looking for new No. 1 receivers to emerge after the departures of Sterling Shepard from Oklahoma and Demarcus Ayers at Houston. Expect the Sooners to get tight end Mark Andrews more involved after he caught seven touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Penn State transfer Geno Lewis steps into a starting role at wide receiver. The Cougars will be looking for some inexperienced players to emerge and Chance Allen, who had 56 catches and 752 yards last season, to take a bigger role.FRESHMENHouston landed one of the best defensive line recruits in the country this year in Ed Oliver. The freshman is expected to make an immediate impact. With Oklahoma retooling at linebacker, freshman Caleb Kelly will likely see some time and Stoops said Mykel Jones will be part of the receiver rotation.EXPANSIONHouston is in the process of trying to gain an invitation to the Big 12. The conference has narrowed down the field of expansion candidates to 11, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. One game wont be a deciding factor, but Houston fans would certainly like to see their team prove it belongs in the Power Five conference.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP George Blanda Womens Jersey .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Clelin Ferrell Raiders Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. http:///...szak-Raiders-Jersey/ . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions have failed to find any consistency on offense. Their opponent this week has been even worse.Both teams will be seeking better results when the Los Angeles Rams visit Detroit on Sunday.The Lions snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles 24-23 last Sunday despite gaining just 45 yards in the second half. Detroits offense failed to produce a touchdown the previous week against Chicagos injury-riddled defense.Quarterback Matthew Stafford did throw three first-half touchdown passes against the Eagles but is mindful that the Rams held Detroits offense to two scores in a 21-14 Lions loss last season in St. Louis.We played a team that was undefeated and was playing really well on defense. But each week presents a new challenge, he said. This week against the Rams is no different. They have a really talented defense and a smart defensive coordinator (Gregg Williams) who gives you a bunch of looks. It will be on us to adjust and move forward.Stafford was sacked four times by the Rams last season and thats a big concern for coach Jim Caldwell.They can rush the passer, he said. Theyve got guys that can get up the field. Everybody knows about (defensive tackle Aaron) Donald. Hes an inside rusher that can give you a lot of problems. But out on the edge you can just go on and on about those guys. Theres a lot of guys that can get up the field and they give you a lot of problems in terms of the looks they have.The Lions fortified their backfield by signing veteran Justin Forsett this week. Its uncertain how much hell play behind current starter Theo Riddick.Detroit (2-3) is hopeful of getting its top pass rusher, Ziggy Ansah, back in action after he missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain. Its likely to be without defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who has a shoulder injury.The Rams (3-2) had a three-game winning streak snapped by the Buffalo Bills, 30-19. Quarterback Case Keenum threw for a season-high 271 yards but tossed two interceptions, including a pivotal pick-six with the score tied in the third quarter. Jerry Rice Womens Jersey. Los Angeles also failed to convert a fake punt at its 25-yard-line while trailing by four late in the game, allowing Buffalo to score a clinching touchdown.They created turnovers and made big plays in two situations, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. We didnt get any turnovers and we gave up too many rushing yards.The Rams outgained the Bills 365-305, which Fisher saw as a sign of progress for an offense ranked last in average total yards (284.2) and tied for last with Houston in points (16.4 per game).Were getting better on third down, he said. We made some plays on third down, we had nine explosive plays against a really good defense and had 23 first downs. You can take the 32nd in the league and write all you want about it, but this offense is improving.Perhaps so, but the centerpiece to the attack cant find much room. Second-year back Todd Gurley is averaging 2.7 yards per carry and is still seeking his first 100-yard game this season.Gurley had 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Detroit last year.Dont be fooled by (his stats), Caldwell said. Im going to tell you something -- that guy is dangerous.The most consistent element of the offense has been kicker Greg Zuerlein, who has made all nine of his field-goal attempts and his seven extra-point tries.Greg is kicking really well right now, Fisher said. Id like for Greg to kick off and kick extra points. Hes hitting his field goals, but our touchdown-to-field goal ratio is not where it should be. We need touchdowns.Los Angeles defense took a big hit against Buffalo when top cornerback Trumaine Johnson suffered an ankle injury that will sideline him for this weeks game. Johnson returned an interception for a touchdown against Stafford and the Lions last season.Hell be replaced by second-year corner Troy Hill. The team added some depth by claiming Dwayne Gratz off waivers from Jacksonville. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '