UH: 5 THINGS TO WATCH
Houston has championship aspirations entering its farewell season in the American Athletic Conference.
Here are five things to watch about the No. 24 Cougars:
CHASING PERFECTION
1
The Cougars are the trendy pick to run the table and play in a New Year’s Six bowl. But could UH squeeze into the College Football Playoff discussion? Cincinnati provided the road map last season, becoming the first non-Power Five program to qualify for the four-team playoff. We should know early if the Cougars are for real with back-to-back road games against UTSA and Texas Tech to begin the season. The rest of schedule — minus AAC challengers Cincinnati and UCF for the second year in a row — should offer little resistance.
“If Houston can avoid a stumble, they’ll be the one knocking on the door seeing if they can get into College Football Playoff consideration,” ESPN host Rece Davis said.
UH would love nothing more than to win the AAC and play in a New Year’s Six bowl — most likely the Cotton Bowl — as a springboard to joining the Big 12 in 2023.
OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS
2 “Explosive” has been a word used to
describe the offensive potential for this season.
After averaging 35.9 points a year ago, which ranked 15th nationally, the Cougars could be even better this season with the pass-catch combo of Clayton Tune and Nathaniel Dell. Dell, who is coming off a career season that produced 90 catches, 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns, should be a serious candidate for the Biletnikoff Award.
After relying heavily on Dell, Tune will have more options to attack deep downfield with the addition of Matthew Golden (Klein Cain), Sam Brown (West Virginia) and Joseph Manjack IV (USC). Buy stock now in Golden, who will start as a true freshman and handle kickoffs.
DEFENSIVE ENCORE
3 Doug Belk’s defense finished sixth nationally last season and could be even better this go-around. “Sack Avenue” is a handful up front with Derek Parish, D’Anthony Jones and Nelson Ceaser off the edge, and Donavan Mutin is as reliable as they come at linebacker. The secondary features all-conference safety Gervarrius Owens. Gone are both starting cornerbacks, Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams, both taken in the NFL draft, but replacements Alex Hogan and Art Green saw plenty of playing time.
CARRYING THE LOAD
4 The backfield took a hit in the spring with the loss of starter Alton McCaskill, who suffered a torn ACL and will miss the season. Ta’Zhawn Henry is a capable replacement after rushing for 513 yards and seven touchdowns. He will be asked to carry bulk of the workload with little experience behind him. Brandon Campbell, a transfer from USC, and Stacy Sneed are the top candidates for the backup spot.
ON THE LINE
5 After starting the same five offensive linemen last season, UH returns just two starters: 6-7, 310-pound left tackle Patrick Paul and 6-3, 320-pound right tackle Tank Jenkins. Third-year sophomore Cam’Ron Johnson played 546 snaps at left guard and Jack Freeman solidified the center spot with a strong spring. A transfer — Tyler Johnson (Texas) or Lance Robinson (Middle Tennessee) will start at right tackle.