Houston Cougars Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Houston Cougars Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 5-7 C-USA Record: 4-4 (3rd, West) 2011 Returning Starters: 15; 6 offense, 7 defense, punter, kicker

Coach: Kevin Sumlin, 23-16 (3 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Kliff Kingsbury, Jason Phillips Defensive Coordinators: Brian Stewart

2011 Houston Players to Watch: QB Case Keenum, RB Bryce Beall, RB Michael Hayes, WR Patrick Edwards, WR Tyron Carrier, OL Chris Thompson, LB Marcus McGraw

2011 Houston Strengths:
By season’s end, Keenum may be the NCAA’s all-time leading passer, and he has skill players that will score points in bunches. The schedule is a generous one, too, for the Cougars, who are trying to get back to their 2009 level of offense – a national-best 42.2 points per game.

2011 Houston Weaknesses:
Houston didn’t prove to be mentally strong in 2010. While a true freshman fourth-string QB stepped up and posted great numbers, veterans seemed to mope after Keenum was injured. If similar adversity hits in 2011, will things be any different? If the defense allows 208 rushing yards per game again, will it even matter?

2011 Houston Offense:

The Houston Cougars’ 2010 season went from promising to disastrous in mere moments, when they lost quarterbacks Case Keenum and Cotton Turner to season-ending injuries against UCLA in the third game of the season. Keenum, who applied for and was granted a sixth year of eligibility, is back, as are Turner and most of the skill position players from a season ago. Quarterback depth is plentiful (third-stringer David Piland started the final eight games of 2010), but it may not be the team’s deepest position. That distinction could belong to the running back position, where Bryce Beall and Michael Hayes the Cougars’ two top rushers in 2010 return, along with junior Charles Sims, who exploded for more than 1,400 combined rushing and receiving yards as a freshman in 2009 but was academically ineligible last fall. Leading receiver Patrick Edwards (71 catches, 1,100 yards, 13 TDs) returns, as does third-leading receiver Tyron Carrier, both of whom are special teams dynamos. The Cougars are looking for another receiving option to emerge to help fill the void left by the graduated James Cleveland. Senior E.J. Smith could be that guy. The biggest transition will be on the offensive line, where UH must replace three starters and protect Keenum, who led the NCAA in total offense in 2008 and ’09. Led by senior guard/center Chris Thompson and junior tackle Jacolby Ashworth, the Cougars have as much size as they’ve ever had on the line they just need experience.

2011 Houston Defense:

This is an area where the Cougars must improve after ranking 103rd nationally in total defense last season. Stopping the run is the biggest point of emphasis. UH feels good about its returning linebacking corps, led by its three leading tacklers from last season Marcus McGraw, Phillip Steward and Sammy Brown. Sophomore George Bamfo was pushing Brown for the weak-side linebacker spot in the spring, so he could figure into the mix somewhere as well. The Cougars must improve their depth on the defensive line. Senior David Hunter, who can play end or tackle, will have to lead the charge for the group, and Tyrone Campbell’s play at nose tackle will be crucial. Regaining the services of sophomore end Zeke Riser, who missed all of last season with an injury, should help. The secondary mostly consists of new faces; only free safety Nick Saenz remains from a year ago. Two junior college transfers at cornerback, Chevy Bennett and D.J. Hayden, will have to get acclimated in a hurry. Colton Valencia, a transfer from Texas A&M, and D.J. Jones will battle for the start at strong safety.

2011 Houston Special Teams:

Wide receivers Patrick Edwards (punts) and Tyron Carrier (kickoffs) are two of the most dangerous return men in the league; each had return touchdowns last year. Edwards’ 15-4 yards per punt return ranked NO.7 in the nation. Carrier’s total of 1,174 kick return yards was third in the nation. Junior Matt Hogan was 13 of 13 from inside 40 yards last year. Sophomore punter Richie Leone was inconsistent, but showed potential with six punts of more than 50 yards.

2011 Houston Football Schedule | Houston Football Sportsbooks

2011 Houston Predictions:

In the two seasons in which Keenum was healthy and the full-time starter, UH went 18–9. Last year, when he missed nine games with the knee injury, the Cougars slipped to 5–7. If he remains healthy, and the defense, now in the second season of coordinator Brian Stewart’s 3-4 scheme, shows even modest improvement, the Cougars should threaten SMU and Tulsa for the C-USA West title.

2011 Houston Betting Odds:

Houston Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

Check out our weekly Sports Handicapping Picks from the world’s best handicappers. Trust our handicapping experts offering premium and free NCAA Football Picks and packages daily. Also stay up to date with weekly College Football Matchups, and buy some picks to win some BIG cash this football season at our recommended sportsbooks.

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