The Houston Cougars, who have utilized basketball-style transition football to roll up 18 wins over the past two seasons, are undergoing a slightly different type of transition this season. Check that — a vastly different style. The Cougars said goodbye to former coach Art Briles, who took over the ailing Baylor program, and welcomed new coach Kevin Sumlin, who has spent the last five years on Bob Stoops’ staff at Oklahoma. Sumlin intends to maintain an “aggressive style of offense,” which will blend elements of Briles’ quirky spread attack with Texas Tech’s explosive passing game. Sumlin has hired former Red Raiders offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen to help implement the Cougars’ new attack.

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A Quick Look at the Cougars

Let’s get one thing out of the way — Houston is going to be good. Very good, perhaps. Sure, over the past couple of years, the Cougars were good enough to win a combined 18 games and make one trip to the Liberty Bowl as the Conference USA champions (2006). But Kevin Sumlin’s Cougars are going to be a different kind of good. The last few teams excelled because of Art Briles’ complex hybrid spread attack that buried opponents under an avalanche of points. But while Briles may have utilized a thinking man’s offense, there appeared to be absolutely no thought at all put into special teams or discipline, details which often left the Cougars exposed against better teams. Sumlin plans to change all that. After arriving from Oklahoma, Sumlin knew he had a nice well of returning talent, so he immediately began stripping things down to the fundamentals. Footwork became a priority, from linemen on both sides of the ball to quarterbacks. Receivers were introduced to the notion of precise route running. Defensive backs were re-schooled in coverage techniques. In short, talent wasn’t good enough. If the Cougars are going to be good — very good — they’re going to need to outthink and out-execute opponents rather than simply trying to outscore them.

Quarterbacks

It was assumed that Case Keenum, C-USA’s Freshman of the Year after rolling up 2,259 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, would be the front-runner this season, but that may not be decided just yet. Keenum has an innate football sense that allows him to make plays with his feet when the pocket collapses, as evidenced by last season’s 412 rushing yards and nine TDs. Blake Joseph, who has been working extensively with Holgorsen to improve his footwork and touch, looked sensational in the spring, quite different from the guy who last year struggled with his reads and couldn’t escape the rush.

Running backs

Replacing superstar Anthony Alridge (1,597 yards, 19 total TDs), is going to be difficult, but look for sophomore Andre Kohn to get a chance. Kohn spent part of last season recovering from a knee injury but showed flashes in the few touches he got. While not possessing Alridge’s speed, Kohn is more of a polished product and has enough wiggle to his game to make him an effective threat. The Cougars also return Terrance Ganaway, a bullish back who can get the tough yards. Justin Johnson, a former quarterback, emerged in the spring, showing promise as a runner and receiver.

Receivers

The next big problem for Sumlin and his staff is replacing Donnie Avery, another 4.2 burner, and Jeron Harvey. That duo combined for 146 catches, 2,129 yards and 10 TDs last season. Other than Mark Hafner, who is moving to big slot after catching 40 passes as a tight end last season, the returnees with the highest number of receptions are L.J. Castile and Chris Gilbert, both of whom caught seven balls. The field is wide-open, with big targets like 6'3" Castile, 6'6" Wesley Scourten and 6'4" JoJo Florence, as well as smaller speedsters like Gilbert, Patrick Edwards and Tyron Carrier.

Offensive linemen

The line should be one of the team’s strengths. Already solid with returnees like center Carl Barnett, left tackle Sebastian Vollmer and left guard Michael Bloesch, the line will be bolstered with the return of SirVincent Rogers, who missed almost two full seasons with a knee injury. Rogers will play right tackle, with redshirt freshman Chris Thompson next to him at guard. Developing depth will be one mission, with Matt Hart (6'6", 305) and Josh Bell (6'6", 300) bringing needed size.

Defensive linemen

The Cougars, who will go with a 4-3 set this year under coordinator John Skladany, return two of C-USA’s best in seniors Phillip Hunt and Ell Ash. Hunt, one of the most mobile defensive ends in the league, should have a monster season after rolling up 10.5 sacks a year ago. Ash, a huge (6'5", 293) tackle who may move to end, needs only to work on his intensity. Everyone has been waiting for talented but enigmatic Cody Pree, now a senior, to arrive, so maybe this will be the year.

Linebackers

Sumlin is beating the bushes, looking for speed. Cody Lubojasky returns in the middle, and while Matt Nicholson and C.J. Cavness can bring the hits, they don’t possess the speed Sumlin covets. Arkansas transfer Tyrell Graham has the physical tools, with a well-chiseled 6'3", 225-pound frame, but there are questions about his motor.

Defensive backs

The Cougars have a ton of safeties, but precious few corners. Seniors Ernest Miller and Kenneth Fontenette are able to cover and deliver crushing hits, and Oklahoma State transfer Stephen James excelled in the spring. But after Quinte Williams and Brandon Brinkley, the corner position isn’t exactly well-stocked.

Specialists

Special teams were an afterthought under Briles. Sumlin stripped everything down to the absolute basics in the spring and rebuilt from scratch. The potential is there with the return of punter Chase Turner and field goal kicker Ben Bell. Finding a returner is paramount, with freshman Patrick Edwards heading the list.

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