2011-2012 Football Previews – Conference USA – Houston Cougars
The 2010 season didn’t go at all how the Houston Cougars had expected. The team was nationally ranked going into the season, but injuries derailed the season after just two games.
Conference USA 2011-2012 Football Previews: Houston Cougars
Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin
2010 Record: 5-7
Houston Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win BCS: +30,000
Houston Odds from 5Dimes to win Conference USA Championship: +245
Houston Odds from 5Dimes to win Conference USA West Division: -105
Houston Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
**BETONLINE – THE BEST SPORTSBOOK FOR NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING! – CLICK HERE NOW + BET TODAY!**
Star quarterback Case Keenum went down with an injury, then his high quality backup Cotton Turner went down with a season-ending injury. The Cougars went through the rest of the season with a very inexperienced quarterback and they finished 5-7.
Case Keenum was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, and the expectations are once again high at Houston.
The schedule is set up for the Cougars to make a big comeback in 2011, but can the players get it done?
Team Strengths:
Keenum by himself is a massive strength for this team. He is certainly one of the top five quarterbacks in the country when he is healthy. Keenum will likely be a Heisman Trophy contender all year long.
It would be hard to find a better fit than Keenum for the high-octane spread offense that Kevin Sumlin likes to run.
The Cougars are all set at the running back position with a terrific trio of runners. Bryce Beall, Michael Hayes, and Charles Sims will all get plenty of carries. Sims wasn’t eligible last year, but he might have the highest upside of the group.
Beall is a solid senior leader who has proven he is willing to fight hard for that extra yard or two.
The defense as a whole needs to improve quite a bit, but the linebackers are very good. All four starting linebackers return, and the Cougars have plenty of high quality backups at this position as well. Houston has one of the best linebacker units in the conference.
Team Weaknesses:
The Houston Cougars have been terrible on the defensive line for the last few years. The defensive front doesn’t have anyone that clogs up the running lanes, and they put far too much pressure on the linebackers.
The lack of penetration up front is the primary reason Houston allowed 209 rushing yards per game in 2010. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The secondary was a strength for the Cougars defense last year, but I don’t think that will be the case in 2011. Only Nick Saenz returns from last year’s secondary, and the Cougars are bound to have plenty of inexperienced players on the field this year.
Sumlin has brought in some junior college transfers, but I expect this group to have trouble against the high-powered passing attacks in Conference USA.
The offensive line returns just two starters from last year’s unit. Last year’s line did fairly well, but this year they will be asking several underclassmen to step in and know how to block in a complex scheme. I think the offensive line play will be significantly worse than last year.
2011-2012 Houston Football Prediction: 11-2
The Houston Cougars probably have the easiest schedule in the conference this year.
It all sets up nicely for Keenum and this team to make a nice run once again. The home opener against UCLA and the season finale at Tulsa are the only two games where Houston I could see Houston losing in the regular season. I think this team will win the Conference USA West title because of the easy schedule.
The lack of a strong defense and a weak offensive line is liable to cost them if they get to a high quality bowl game.
2011 Houston Cougars Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET UCLA
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @NOTEX
9/17/11 7:00 PM ET @LTECH
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET GeoSt.
9/29/11 8:00 PM ET @UTEP
10/8/11 7:00 PM ET ECAR
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET MARSH
10/27/11 12:00 PM ET RICE
11/5/11 7:00 PM ET @UAB
11/10/11 8:00 PM ET @TULNE
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET SMU
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET @TULSA
3 replies on “2011 Houston Cougars Gambling Odds | Predictions”
Will Houston have more or less than 10 wins this year?
I think Houston could put up great record this year if they stay on target throughout the season and don’t slip into one or two poor performances as they usually do, falling victim to teams they are completely capable of beating. The favourable schedule certainly places UH in the position to take the honors if they show up each week, play their best game and avoid silly mistakes to be at CUSA West Champs, winning over SMU in Houston. Focused, discilined and healthy,Houston will take CUSA West then win through to a spot in the Liberty Bowl
I think Houston could put up great record this year if they stay on target throughout the season and don’t slip into one or two poor performances as they usually do, falling victim to teams they are completely capable of beating. The favourable schedule certainly places UH in the position to take the honors if they show up each week, play their best game and avoid silly mistakes to be at CUSA West Champs, winning over SMU in Houston. Focused, discilined and healthy,Houston will take CUSA West then win through to a spot in the Liberty Bowl