Check out games to watch as Week 1 of football season gets underway.
Fortunes linked to Heisman hopeful Oliver, high-powered offense led by RB Williams
Expectations are high for the University of Houston with the installation of a new offense that should generate plenty of points in the farewell season for Ed Oliver.
Will the Cougars return to the conference title game for the first time since 2015? Will Oliver get serious consideration for the Heisman?
Here are 10 bold predictions heading into the 2018 season:
10. UH demolishes Rice in season opener
Let’s just get this one out of the way. Houston 56, Rice 6. And this is with most of the UH regulars on the bench late in the third quarter.
9. Oliver runs for three touchdowns this season
Yes, the 292-pound All-America tackle will see action in the backfield as part of a Heisman Trophy push. Spoiler alert: See No. 1.
Oliver’s first rushing touchdown will come in the Week 1 game against Rice.
Bonus prediction: Oliver also will throw a touchdown this season.
8. Terence Williams will rush for 1,000 yards
Two years ago, Williams was carving up Big 12 defenses as the leading rusher at Baylor. He transferred for his final year in the offseason and fits nicely in a system with which he’s familiar.
Williams is expected to get a bulk of the workload, although the Cougars expecting to push the tempo there figures to be a steady rotation that also Mulbah Car and Patrick Carr. If this offense averages 80-plus plays per game as desired, there should be more than enough carries to go around for Williams to become just the second non-quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards (Kenneth Farrow had 1,037 in 2014) in the last 10 years.
7. UH will rank in the top 12 nationally in scoring and total offense
New offensive coordinator Kendal Briles has proven results at every stop. What could make or break this prediction is how quickly things come together and if a couple of playmakers emerge from a mostly untested receivers corp. The last time the Cougars were in the top 12 in both categories? In 2011, with quarterback Case Keenum, they led the nation in scoring (49.3 points) and total yards (599.1).
6. Defense will be much improved
UH plugged in some key holes with transfers, notably defensive end Isaiah Chambers (TCU), inside linebacker Darrion Owens (Miami) and safety Deontay Anderson (Mississippi).
The only way to go is up for the pass defense, which ranked 120th last season. Anderson and Garrett Davis form one of the best safety duos in the American Athletic Conference and converted cornerback Isaiah Johnson could be poised for a breakout season.
With Oliver, a healthy Jerard Carter, Chambers and up-andcoming sophomore Payton Turner, the Cougars could be top-10 against the run.
5. Speaking of Isaiah Johnson …
Teams won’t pick on him like they did last season. Let’s pencil him in for five interceptions and a fifth- or sixth-round grade in the NFL draft.
4. UH will be ranked this season
It’s just a matter of when. Beat Arizona and Texas Tech in backto-back weeks and the Cougars could be knocking at the Top 25 door by the end of September. I’ll go with the Oct. 21 poll after the Cougars notch a road win at Navy to improve to 6-1.
3. Cougars will win at least 10 games
Too much faith? Maybe. But the schedule cooperates with only three trips outside the state of Texas. The back-to-back with Arizona and Texas Tech will provide an early measuring stick. Otherwise the only tough remaining games should be at home against Temple and on the road against Navy and Memphis.
2. UH will be in the mix for a New Year’s Six bowl
The final weekend of the regular season will mean something when the Cougars visit Memphis with the West Division, a spot in the AAC championship game and the Fiesta Bowl on the line. How’s that for dessert on Thanksgiving weekend?
1. Oliver will be named a Heisman Trophy finalist
As a parting gift, Oliver becomes the first UH player to attend the Heisman ceremony in New York. (Andre Ware played a game the day he won the Heisman in 1989). Alas, the award will go to a quarterback or running back for the 21st year in a row.
Playing outside the so-called Power Five — and on the side of the ball that rarely receives serious consideration — just making it to the Big Apple will be considered a huge accomplishment.
There you have my 10 bold predictions, which virtually guarantees none of them will happen.
Check back in December to see how crazy I was.