2014
Houston Cougars
Football Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Houston was close to having a great season in 2013 with none of their losses having been more than a touchdown. While they slipped down the stretch with losses against the AAC’s best teams, the Cougars return plenty of talent and should compete at the top of the conference.
Quarterback John O’Korn had a great freshman season, considering he had to replace starter David Piland just two Games into the year due to injury. The offense didn’t lose a step as O’Korn posted a solid 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns. With O’Korn’s top two targets returning along with the same backfield, there’s no reason this offense can’t be even more dynamic.
Wide receiver Deontay Greenberry (1,202 yards, 11 TDs) was unstoppable at times and Daniel Spencer (768 yards, 6 TDs) is no slouch either. Leading running backs Ryan Jackson (661 yards, 6 TDs) and Kenneth Farrow (514 yards, 6 TDs) also return. The offensive line loses a couple studs, but they still have center Bryce Redman to build around.
Now in head coach Tony Levine’s third season, Houston can make a push for the Conference title. And while the offense is set to improve, it may fall to the defense to win the bigger Games.
Houston led the nation in takeaways last year and returns seven starters from that unit. The main losses come at cornerback where they lose a couple standouts. The good news is that the rest of the group is stocked with experience.
Joey Mbu is a beast at tackle and the line revolves around him. The same can be said about linebacker Derrick Mathews, who has started 39 consecutive Games and racked up 348 tackles in his career. And while their corners will be new, the safeties are not and have plenty of experience as juniors.
The Cougars were usually known for a less than average defense, but Levine turned that perception around last year as they only allowed 21.8 points per Game.
Houston will once again have their hardest non-Conference Game against BYU, a team they lost to 47-46 a year ago. If they can win that Game this year, a 4-0 start should be expected before AAC play starts against UCF. The Knights will be a tough task, but they only lost 19-14 at UCF last year, so having that Game at home could flip the result.
And if Houston does beat UCF, look out. Expect the Cougars to blow out the weaker teams once again and not really face much adversity until their final two road Games at SMU and Cincinnati. They beat SMU 34-0 last year, so the Mustangs will probably be looking for revenge, but if they get by them, Houston could be looking at a title-clinching Game against Cincinnati in the finale.
Without Louisville on their Schedule this year, don’t be surprised if Houston surpasses 2013’s eight-win mark and reach nine or even 10 wins in the regular season.
5 dimes sportsbook has odds/lines posted for the first few weeks of Games for several AAC teams. Check em out.
2014 Houston Football Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. UTSA
Sept. 6 vs. Grambling State
Sept. 11 at BYU
Sept. 20 vs. UNLV
Oct. 2 vs. UCF
Oct. 11 at Memphis
Oct. 17 vs. Temple
Nov. 1 at South Florida
Nov. 8 vs. Tulane
Nov. 22 vs. Tulsa
Nov. 28 at SMU
Dec. 6 at Cincinnati