'I knew he was going to be special'

Welcome to the weekend, Saints Insider subscribers. We're one day away from seeing whether this Saints team can stack two strong performances together. Let's get after it. 

No ordinary rookie

Three quarterbacks went in the top five of this year's draft, and all of them are on the Saints schedule this year. The Saints already have a win agains the guy who went No. 1 overall (Bryce Young), and now they'll get a crack at the man who went right behind him at No. 2 to Houston. 

So far, C.J. Stroud has not been playing like a rookie, however. 

Through five games, the Texans quarterback is averaging almost 300 yards per game through the air and has thrown seven touchdowns against no interceptions. He came to Houston from Ohio State, and you may have heard the Saints like guys from that school. 

Columnist Rod Walker spoke to those who came up through the college ranks with Stroud, and found out what makes him so special. 

Five out, one maybe

Here's what is not a surprise: Five Saints were ruled out on Friday's final injury report. None of them practiced this week, so that was pretty much a foregone conclusion. 

Here's what was a surprise: Andrus Peat landed on the injury report for the first time Friday and is now questionable for this week's game.

Now, you might be saying, 'But Saints Insider, hasn't Peat been a backup for most of this season?' To which I would say yes he has, but maybe he won't be for long. You should check out the latest edition of the Saints Insider podcast for more on that.

Marcus Maye: Back

The three game suspension officially lifted, the Saints are getting a regular member of their starting secondary back this week. 

Here's why the Saints think Maye is a difference-maker for their club — even if he is the less heralded part of a crime-fighting duo.

WHO YA GOT?

It's Saturday, which means it's prediction time. Three of us picked the Saints to win their second straight, while one of us picked the Texans. 

Obviously my word is the one you should trust, since I'm currently leading the pack at 4-1 with my picks this season (dusts shoulders off). 

Alright, let's wrap it up there. We'll catch you Sunday afternoon from Houston, and until then, enjoy a great college football Saturday. 

Cheers, 

Luke Johnson