subject: 2010 Houston Football Predictions [print this page] The Houston Cougars finished with their second double digit win season in the last four years, as they rounded out the 2009 campaign at 10-4 overall, but the Cougars had a chance at an even better finish, as they lost the Conference USA Championship Game against East Carolina and then followed that up with a very poor performance against Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. Heading into the 2010 season the Cougars will have 15 starters back, and will once again be a threat to win the CUSA title. Here is a look at what the Cougars will bring to the table in 2010, plus my prediction on where they finish the year in conference play.
Offense:
The Cougars averaged 42.2 points a game in 2009, and a big reason for that was the play of starting quarterback Case Keenum, who threw for 5,671 with 44 touchdowns to just 15 interceptions. Keenum is back for his senior season, and is being considered by many as a legit Heisman candidate this year.
At running back keep an eye out for sophomore Charles Sims, who led the Cougars with 698 yards and nine touchdowns, and was also four on the team with 70 catches for 759 yards and another score. Sims freshman performance earned him the honors of Conference USA Freshman of the Year, and he should only be better this season. The Cougars also have a pretty solid backup in junior Bryce Bell, who finished right behind Sims with 670 yards and seven touchdowns.
With Keenum in charge of the offense expect huge numbers from the wide out positions again in 2010. Last year Iowa transfer James Cleveland emerged as the go to guy for the Cougars, as Cleveland hauled in a team best 104 catches for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cleveland wasn't the only one doing work, as junior Tryon Carrier had 91 catches for 1,029 yards and 7 scores, and junior Patrick Edwards finished the year with 85 receptions for 1,021 yards and six scores.
The Cougars will have to replace two starters on the offensive line this year, both coming on the left side, as senior center Jordan Shoemaker, senior right tackle Roy Watts and junior right guard Chris Thompson all return. Senior Isaiah Thompson is projected to take over at the left guard spot, while sophomore Jacolby Ashworth is expected to start at the ever important left tackle spot.
Defense:
The Cougars aren't going to win many games with their defense, as this unit gave up over 30 points a game in 2009. With one of the best offenses in all of college football, this unit doesn't have to do a lot to make sure the Cougars come out on top.
The Cougars only starter back on the defensive side of the ball is junior defensive end David Hunter, who finished tied for second with 4 sacks last year. Hunter will likely be joined by sophomore nose tackle Tyrone Campbell and junior college transfer Matangi Tonga at the other end spot. The Cougars were dreadful against the run last year, giving up 227 yards a game, so improvement up front will be needed for the defense to slow down the opposing teams rushing attack.
One positive for improving against the run, is the fact that the Cougars have three starters back at linebacker this year. The best of this unit is junior Marcus McGraw, who led the Cougars with 156 tackles and tied with Hunter for second with four sacks. Sophomore Phillip Steward has the potential to really have a big season for the Cougars in 2010, as he played very well as a freshman, racking up 89 tackles.
Two starters are back in the secondary for the Cougars in 2010, as they return senior starting corner Jamal Robinson and junior free safety Nick Saenz. Both are considered to be one of the best at their respective positions, as Robinson came away with five interceptions last year, and Saenz finished third on the team with 114 tackles. Senior Loyce Means is expected to start opposite of Robinson at the open corner spot, while junior Roisean Haynes is the leading candidate to take over as the starting strong safety.
CUSA West Prediction - 1st: It is going to be hard for any defense to put a stop to the Cougars offense in 2010, and I think this is one team where offense is the key to winning, not defense. The Cougars could be the surprise team in college football this year, as they definitely have the talent to run the table and play in a nice bowl game this season.
