The Houston Cougars ended 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 occasion at an even good finish, as they lost the discussion Usa Championship Game against East Carolina and then followed that up with a very poor operation 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 halt the year in discussion play.
Hunter College
Offense:
The Cougars averaged 42.2 points a game in 2009, and a big imagine 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 carefully 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 other score. Sims freshman operation earned him the honors of discussion Usa Freshman of the Year, and he should only be good this season. The Cougars also have a pretty solid backup in junior Bryce Bell, who ended right behind Sims with 670 yards and seven touchdowns.
With Keenum in fee of the offense expect huge numbers from the wide out positions again in 2010. Last year Iowa exchange 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 ended 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 advent on the left side, as senior town 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 foremost 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 ended tied for second with 4 sacks last year. Hunter will likely be joined by sophomore nose tackle Tyrone Campbell and junior college exchange Matangi Tonga at the other end spot. The Cougars were frightful against the run last year, giving up 227 yards a game, so revision up front will be needed for the defense to slow down the opposing teams rushing attack.
One clear for enhancing 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 possible to certainly 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 projection Jamal Robinson and junior free safety Nick Saenz. Both are carefully to be one of the best at their respective positions, as Robinson came away with five interceptions last year, and Saenz ended third on the team with 114 tackles. Senior Loyce Means is expected to start opposite of Robinson at the open projection spot, while junior Roisean Haynes is the foremost 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.
For a separate take on how the discussion will look this season, check out Jimmy Boyd's 2010 discussion Usa predictions.
If you plan on betting the college football odds this year, be sure to take the time to stop back each week for Jimmy Boyd's master college football picks.
2010 Houston Football Predictions
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