Deshaun Watson is lost for the season. Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Lord giveth.
The Lord taketh away.
Less than 24 hours after Houston finally wins its first World Series, the joy got sucked out of the air.
The superstar in the making, record-setting quarterback DeShaun Watson is done for the year. He tore his ACL in a non-contact drill during the Texans practice.
The National Championship star from Clemson will be replaced by Tom I have never thrown an NFL touchdown pass in four limited seasons. Savage.
A former fourth-round pick from Pitt, Savage has a solid arm but the mobility of an overweight sumo wrestler. The scouting report -- as well as the eye test -- indicates he holds on the ball too long, causing sacks.
No. 3 has limited mobility, along with feet of clay. The offensive line has done it with smoke and mirrors thanks to the freakish nature of Watson’s running and escapability.
Hurricane Harvey was followed by season-ending injuries to Whitney Mercilus and J.J Watt. Now? This for a franchise that appears cursed.
With the trade of left tackle Duane Brown to Seattle, fourth round pick Juliien Davenport will be making his first start.
So, who will be the backup quarterback? None other than a kid coached by Bill O’Brien at Penn State, Matt McGloin, cut from the Eagles in training camp.
General Manager Rick Smith McNair informed the coaches immediately after the injury.
The Texans could have put a stop to the collusion case of Colin Kaepernick against the NFL and signed him. But the combination of the controversial quarterback’s weak arm and Mc Nair’s ill-timed remarks put an end to that thinking.
A younger and healthier McNair would have brought the former Niner in, got assurances he would stand with his teammates and ended the anthem crap all with a stroke of a pen.
That would have been a Public Relations coup, and stopping the perception held around the nation of Robert. C. McNair, Jr.
Instead, it is yet another reason why the Texans continue to make baffling moves.
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How Astros’ outfield gamble could create more problems than solutions
Mar 21, 2025, 3:56 pm
Wichita, Kansas – Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDT
The No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (31-4) take on the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-8) in a highly anticipated second-round showdown of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars, dominant in the Big 12 with a 22-1 record, bring the nation’s top-ranked defense to the court, while the Bulldogs, the West Coast Conference powerhouse, counter with one of the most efficient offenses in the country.
Defense vs. offense: The ultimate battle
Houston boasts the best defense in the Big 12, holding opponents to just 57.9 points per game on 38.1% shooting. The Cougars will be tasked with slowing down a Gonzaga squad that averages 84.6 points per game over its last 10 outings and shoots an impressive 50.1% from the field.
On the other side, Houston’s offense is averaging 72.1 points per game in its last 10 contests, a figure that will be tested against a Gonzaga defense allowing 67.6 points per game. The Cougars have a slight edge from beyond the arc, making 8.1 three-pointers per game compared to Gonzaga’s 7.3 allowed.
Key players to watch
For Houston, LJ Cryer has been the go-to scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game, while Milos Uzan has stepped up recently, contributing 14.7 points over the last 10 games. The Cougars will also lean on their defensive intensity and ability to force turnovers to disrupt Gonzaga’s rhythm.
Gonzaga is led by Graham Ike, who is averaging 17 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Khalif Battle has also been a key contributor, posting 15.3 points and 1.6 steals per game in the past 10 contests. The Bulldogs’ ball movement will be crucial, as they average 20.4 assists per game in their last 10 contests, a stark contrast to Houston’s 9.0.
Game outlook
Houston enters as a 5.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 140.5 points. If the Cougars can impose their defensive will and limit Gonzaga’s transition game, they stand a strong chance of advancing. However, if the Bulldogs find their offensive groove early, Houston may be in for its toughest test of the tournament so far.
Expect an intense, physical battle where the team that dictates the tempo will likely punch its ticket to the Sweet 16.