HOUSTON Hurricanes on double mission

HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston coach Art Briles looks forward to the day when a visit from Miami is seen as more than a chance for the Hurricanes to sustain their recruiting pipeline into Texas.
"We're going to have more kids than usual at the game," Briles said. "What we're trying to do is figure out how to make ourselves reach the level that [Miami] is at."
The fourth-ranked Hurricanes (2-0) roll into Houston tonight as four-touchdown favorites in a game many don't expect to be even as competitive as some of their intrasquad scrimmages.
About once a year, Miami plays a game like this -- a nationally televised showdown against a struggling program in some of the nation's top recruiting spots. The Hurricanes had a game like that last year against Louisiana Tech in Shreveport.
This season, it was time for a return for Texas.
"Texas has been very good to us," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "Texas ranks very, very high because we've had a lot of success with Texas players."
The Lone Star State has given the Hurricanes players like linebacker Jesse Armstead, defensive tackle Damione Lewis, tight end Bubba Franks and center K.C. Jones over the years.
Lone Star lineup
Miami has 10 players from Texas on its 2004 roster, including three starters -- left tackle Eric Winston (Midland), left guard Tony Tella (Houston) and tight end Kevin Everett (Port Arthur).
Not surprisingly, the Hurricanes will use their first game in Texas in seven years as a chance to woo some of the state's best prep talent. Miami already has a commitment from the nation's top tight end prospect, Martellus Bennett, a senior at Alief Taylor High in Houston.
Several assistants plan to stay behind after the game, visit high schools across the state and watch a few games Friday night.
The Cougars (1-2) already have an idea of what Miami is about after watching film this week.
Briles, who was a receiver for the Cougars when they last beat Miami in 1976, recognizes the challenge of getting his team to believe it can hang with the 'Canes. Especially after losing 63-13 at No. 2 Oklahoma two weeks ago.