2009 Houston Cougars College Football Predictions

2009 Houston Cougars Predictions
2008 Record: (7-6, 6-2)
Coach: Kevin Sumlin, 2nd year (8-5 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Dana Holgrosen (2nd year) and Jason Phillips (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: John Skladany (2nd year)
Returning Starters: 11 (8 offense, 5 defense, punter, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Case Keenum)

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Offense: The Cougars return eight starters from one of the best offenses in the nation. Junior Case Keenum (6-2, 210) is back, after leading the offense to 40.6ppg. He threw for 5,020 yards last season with 44 TDs and just 11 INTs, earning the C-USA’s 2008 Offensive Player of the Year. They also return sophomore RB Bryce Beall (5-11, 205), who ran for 1,247 yards as a freshman, breaking the school’s freshman rushing record. At receiver, they also return two outstanding sophomores. Sophomore Tyrone Carrier (5-8, 162), who is small, but very fast, caught 80 receptions for 1,026 yards and nine TDs. Sophomore Patrick Edwards caught 46 receptions for 634 yards in eight games before suffering a broken leg when his right shin hit a cart in the back of the end zone during the Marshall game. The offensive line returns three starters and also adds two juco transfers in RT Roy Watts (6-6, 300) and LG Jave Dean (6-3, 325), who will be in the picture.

Defense: The defense returns just five starters from a unit that allowed a whopping 30.9ppg (91st in the nation) and 413.5 yards per game (100th in the nation). This was the prototypical bend-but-not break defense that gave up yards, but made key stops when they had to. They return just one starter up front in junior DT Isaiah Thompson (6-4, 285). They lost C-USA’s Defensive Player of the Year-Phillip Hunt. They hope that former linebacker Tyrell Graham (6-3, 225) can make up part of the loss with a big year at defensive end. At linebacker, they return sophomore Marcus McGraw (5-11, 220), who was MVP of the Amred Forces Bowl win over Air Force and led the team with 103 tackles. In the secondary, they also added two more juco transfers to bolster the secondary. S Jacky Candy and speedy CB Devin Mays are expected to start off the bat.

Outlook: The Cougars open with Northwestern State, but that’s followed by two tough Big 12 games against Oklahoma State on the road and Texas Tech at home. The key conference game will be at Tulsa on November 7th. The Cougars have such a powerful offense, even with a mediocre defense (at best), they can go back to a minor bowl game or even move higher, if they can finish with just a couple of losses.

This CUSA prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com