University of Houston

Type of Offense: Spread.  Zone read running plays and nearly all passing plays from the shotgun formation.  There is rare to no use of a fullback.  Tight End is used primarily as a blocking back (extra OL).  Nearly all runs are made by the RB and QB save the occasional end around with the WR.

Type of Defense: 3-4. The defense that is in vogue for professional football is only used by teams that have a skill set of: a large NT that can take up space and blocks, 2 DEs that can also handle multiple blockers and read blocks to make plays, a couple MLB that can make lots of tackles in the run game, a WLB that can cover all over the field on passing plays, and a SLB that is stout versus the run and can make plays at the LOS. The attractiveness of this defense is the ability to blitz all 11 players in many different ways. On the average play, 1-2 players are blitzing and the offense can never settle into a pattern that is more likely in a 4-3 base defense. A team must have DBs who can cover but aren’t afraid to hit people and break up plays in the backfield on blitzes. 

• Run/Pass %: 46/54
• Run/Pass Attempts: 410/484
• Points Per Game: 37.7
• Points Allowed Per Game: 32.2

Key Returning Players:
• Case Keenum, QB: This legitimate Heisman trophy candidate was injured in 2010 killing Houston’s chances of having a good season. In 2009, he threw for 5671 yards and 44 TDs piggybacking his season in 2008 of over 5000 yards passing. If he is fully recovered in 2011, expect another 5000 yards passing again.
• Bryce Beall, RB: There is a lot of respect for Beall even though he didn’t put up impressive numbers in 2010. He had 870 yards and 12 TDs putting him nearly 600 yards off the pace of the top level CUSA backs in 2010. He should have a chance to make some big plays in 2011 with the threat of Keenum in the backfield.

Key Incoming Freshmen:
• Lloyd Allen, DE: This 3 star juco transfer should be able to find a good fit in that 3-4 defense that the Cougars run. He is 6-4, 240 putting in that tweener stage for the next level but probably just big enough to get away with playing DE for Houston.
• Chevy Bennett, DB: Another juco transfer rated at 3 stars Bennett has the ability to get on the field as soon as he is on campus. At 6-1 195 pounds, he translates to the safety position where he can wreck the most havoc on Saturdays. 

Overall Assessment:
2010 was a season that had so much hype surrounding it that it was almost doomed for failure from the beginning came crashing down in flames as Houston saw Heisman candidate Case Keenum lost for the season early on. The team played well enough as the season went along with a +5.5 scoring differential average for the season but the Keenum injury took too much of a toll and the Cougars missed a bowl game. If he is fully healthy, look for Houston to contend for a CUSA crown and possibly a top 25 spot as his presence seems to uplift that offense to heights rarely seen in college football. Best case scenario is sweeping the out of conference games (UCLA, UNT, La. Tech, Ga. State) and going 10-2 or 9-3 in the regular season. It is a tall order but entirely possible. Most likely, it will be a 3-1 OOC mark and a 8-4 regular season culminating in a bowl game to end the season and career of Keenum.