EARLY BIRD 2010 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2009
 
HOUSTON COUGARS
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Chaz Rodriguez-WR, Tim Monroe-WR, Carl Barnett-C
DEFENSE: Tyrell Graham-DE, C.J. Cavness-WLB, Brandon Brinkley-CB, Carson Blackmon-SS, Chase Turner-P
Quarterback / Running Back / Receiver

QB Case Keenum is a throwing machine. Hurling 75-pass attempts in a single game is a walk in the park here, and those numbers might get even crazier. In the process these quality receivers are going to reap the statistical benefits. Ironically, the ball carriers may be the deepest unit on the team.

Defense

In ’09, this was the worst rushing defense in C-USA (112th nationally). The front seven needs to improve by leaps and bounds, and the secondary will need to replace a few key components.

QB Case Keenum
 
LB Marcus McGraw
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2010 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
HOUSTON 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Case Keenum-Sr Cotton Turner-Jr
RB Charles Sims-So Bryce Beall-Jr / Justin Johnson-Jr
WR Patrick Edwards-Jr E.J. Smith-Jr / L.J. Castile-Sr
WR Tyron Carrier-Jr Kierrie Johnson-Sr
WR James Cleveland-Sr ..
TE Tyler Chambers-So ..
OT Roy Watts-Sr Jacolby Ashworth-So
OG Jordan Shoemaker-Sr Jaryd Anderson-Sr
C .. ..
OG Chris Thompson-Jr ..
OT Jarve Dean-Sr ..
K Matt Hogan-So Jordan Mannisto-Jr
 
HOUSTON 2010 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Zeke Riser-So Kelvin King-So
NT Isaiah Thompson-Sr ..
DT David Hunter-Jr Tyrone Campbell-So
DE Radermon Scypion-So ..
SLB Phillip Steward-So Kris Johnston-So
MLB Marcus McGraw-Jr John McIntyre-Jr
WLB Jeremy Smith-Sr ..
CB Loyce Means-Sr ..
CB Jamal Robinson-Sr Devin Mays-Sr
SS Roisean Haynes-Jr ..
FS Nick Saenz-Jr ..
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/8/09
C-USA Coach of the Year Kevin Sumlin has created an offense that eerily reminds fans of the record-breaking units Andre Ware and David Klingler operated from behind center in 1989 and 1990. More recently, the baton was passed from Kevin Kolb to Case Keenum in 2007, and the Cougar’s superior aerial assault (No.1 pass offense in the nation) continues again in ‘10. The same offensive package is back again, which includes three all-conference receivers and a legitimate Heisman candidate behind center. And we saw enough in ’09 from them to start Houston off as a Top 25 team heading into next season. Some things never seem to change for this team, but that’s true on both sides of the ball. That ultimately means their porous defense will continue to hold Houston back from climbing as high as some of the other recent BCS Busters. This offense is so explosive that it will continue to overcome those defensive struggles…it's that good. But saying UH will win every game - with this defense and such a challenging non-conference schedule - is a stretch. At the very least, Houston has to be considered a/the favorite to win C-USA. Coach Sumlin has the lofty goals that Boise State and a few other Mountain West Conference teams now have, of annually earning his Cougars the same levels of achievement and respect for a mid-major program. Keep working on that defense coach.

 

HOUSTON
2010 SCHEDULE

Sep. 11 at UCLA
Oct. 9 Mississippi State
Nov. 20 Navy
Nov. 27 at Texas Tech
TBA UTEP
TBA Tulane
TBA Tulsa
TBA UCF
TBA at SMU
TBA at Southern Miss
TBA at Memphis
TBA at Rice