Houston Cougars
2010 record: 5-7, 4-4 conference
2010 ATS: 4-8
2010 O/U: 8-4
Returning starters: 12 (five on offense, seven on defense)
Offense
Quarterback Case Keenum was granted a sixth year of eligibility based on a medical hardship and will cause many sleepless nights for opposing defensive coordinators. He suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Sept. 18 versus UCLA.
Keenum is on track to break NCAA career records for total offense, passing yards, touchdowns and completions. The Cougars still managed to rank 13th nationally in scoring 37.7 points a game.
Weapons are readily available across the field, including first team All-Conference USA wide receiver Patrick Edwards, who caught 71 passes for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He scored 86 total points, leading all non-conference kickers in that category.
The Cougars also have an accomplished running back in senior Bryce Bell, ranking fourth in the conference with 870 rushing yards and reaching pay dirt a conference-leading 12 times on the ground.
Depth is readily available if any injuries occur for a second consecutive year, including third-string quarterback David Piland, who started the final eight games of 2010.
Defense
Coordinator Brian Stewart can only hope to improve a unit that ranked 103rd nationally, as the unit allowed opponents to gain over 200 yards through both the air and ground last season.
Linebacker Marcus McGraw returns for his senior season and has led the team in tackles for the past two seasons, including 110 total stops last year. He will be working overtime behind a defensive line that is highly inexperienced.
Turnover margin is a key factor in a team’s success over the course of the season and figures to be a main focus in practices leading up to the season opener against UCLA. Last year, the team finished minus-six in the category.
Special Teams
Junior placekicker Matt Hogan knocked through 14-of-17 field goal attempts, with all three misses coming outside of 40 yards. He’s expected to be one of the team’s strengths in closer games and is just two years removed from being named to the 2009 Sporting News Freshman All-America First Team.
Richie Leone may have a few games that he doesn’t see much action due to a potent offense, averaging 41.4 yards per punt last year.
Edwards is expected to provide great field position with his ability to return punts, leading C-USA in punt return average at 15.4, including one touchdown.
Against the Spread
The Cougars were a disappointment against the NCAA football betting lines and finished the 2010 season with four straight ATS losses. Houston did manage a 3-1 ATS mark when winning as a favorite last year.
It will be interesting to see if a premium is placed on the team with Keenum’s return, as the school is 5-2 ATS in its last seven September contests
Bet On
The team could definitely return to profitability for bettors this season, posting an 8-5 ATS mark just two years ago.
Backing the team against Tulane has been a gold mine, covering seven straight games in the series, including four in a row on the road.
Fade Away
Preseason focus has definitely been placed on the season opener against the Bruins at home, but the Cougars are 2-5 ATS in their last seven chances against Pac-10 opponents.
