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.

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.

SPECIALISTS

Junior Matt Hogan connected on 14-of-17 field goal attempts and was perfect inside 40 yards last year. Sophomore punter Richie Leone averaged 41.4 yards per punt and handled most of the kickoffs. UH’s primary return men will be Edwards and Carrier. Edwards led C-USA and ranked seventh nationally in punt returns with a 15.4-yard average.

FINAL ANALYSIS

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.