Previewing Air Force’s Opponents: University of Houston Cougars

This one will be similar to the Colorado State preview since they also play the Houston Cougars.  This game is taking place in Houston and is during week three of the season.  By this game the Falcons will have played Southern Utah and conference foe Wyoming Cowboys and should be ready for this Houston game.

The same can be said for the Cougars, who will have played I-AA Southern University and then Oklahoma State in week two.  Houston will have had a big challenge the week prior and could be looking to rebound after a possible loss to Oklahoma State.

Offense

The Houston Cougars return six starters on the offensive side of the ball and will be led by wide receiver Mark Hafner, who had 445 yards receiving and three touchdowns.  Those are modest stats, but considering he was playing behind Donnie Avery and Jeron Harvey, who have graduated, those are pretty good stats for a third wideout.

The Cougars' new coach Kevin Sumlin has improved the offensive output at each stop he has made, but his biggest improvement was with Texas A&M, where Sumlin was moved into the offensive coordinator role.  The Aggies averaged 33.0 points per game after posting just 16.0 per game before he took control.  Sumlin is an innovator on offense and should keep the recent tradition from Art Briles of being able to score bunches of points.

The QB position is muddled, but whoever gets the position should thrive.  The two quarterbacks are currently listed as number one on the depth chart.  This should be figured out in fall camp.  The two are Case Keenum and Blake Joseph, who split time last year.  Keenum played in every game and started eight, while Joseph played in eleven games and started in five.

Keenum has more mobility and rushed for 412 yards and nine touchdowns, which is solid for a quarterback.  As for passing Keenum had 2,259 yards, 68 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.  Blake Joseph, in less time, threw for a comparable percentage.  However, Joseph’s touchdown to interception ratio was 2.25 to 1.5, but that could be inflated due to playing time.

Being just the third game of the season, the quarterback situation still might be up in the air and by committee, because it is doubtful anything will be proven by playing Southern, where both should get plenty of time.  Depending on how the Oklahoma State game goes, where both should play again, that may be when a starter is named.

The key loss at running back is Anthony Alridge.  He will be replaced by Terrance Ganaway, who as a backup had 550 yards, six touchdowns, and an average of 5.0 per carry.  He should be able to put up similar numbers to Alridge, who rushed for just under 1,600 yards.

If these new starters fill their new positions well and a quarterback is chosen, Houston’s offense should not skip a beat from last year.

Defense

The defense will need to help carry the offense while it finds its way and becomes acquainted with the new scheme.  By this game the offense should be up to speed and help the defense as well.

There are eight returning starters on defense from a team who did give up 27 points per game, which needs to improve to help the Cougars compete in more games.  Last year the offense was able to outscore teams and the defense was called upon just to make timely stops when it counted.  But this year the defense will need to share the load.

The primary returning starter on defense is defensive end Phillip Hunt, who had 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.  He will see a lot of double teams and free up another player to make the play.  Hunt is the leader of the front seven.

In the secondary the Cougars return Kenneth Fontenette and Ernest Miller.  These two had four picks and 11 passes broken up and will only get better.

Early Prediction

This game being on the road does favor the Cougars, but the Falcons are accustomed to the throwing attack of Houston.  However, with the inexperience of the Falcons offense, they will not be able to score enough points, so look for Houston to win by ten points.

This post has been syndicated from the Mountain West Conference Connection.  Check out the blog news and subscribe.