Houston Cougars: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Houston Cougars: Key To The 2022 Offense
The offensive line needs to be stronger.
There’s not much of an excuse to not be better for the ground game and stronger in pass protection. If Texas transfer Tyler Johnson really is the main man at right tackle to go along with Patrick Paul on the other side, the tackles might be the strongest in the AAC. The interior is full of veterans and will be strong, too.
Now the ground attack has to hit four yards per carry on a regular basis.
Houston ran for 77 yards and 2.2 yards per carry in the loss to Texas Tech, and it only averaged 1.8 yards per pop in the loss to Cincinnati.
It could get away with a few other bad running days along the way, but if this is going to be a truly special season, the consistency has to be there, and the line can’t allow 2.8 sacks and 7.2 tackles for loss per game again.
And on the flip side …
Houston Cougars: Key To The 2022 Defense
Don’t get gouged on the ground.
Yeah, Navy ran for 202 yards. It only averaged 3.7 yards per carry in the 28-20 Cougar win. Texas Tech only ran for 145 yards, but it averaged over five yards per carry with three scores – and won.
Cincinnati ran for a UH season-most-allowed 210 rushing yards and 7.5 yards per carry – and won.
Houston allowed fewer than 4.4 yards per carry in all 12 wins, and over that in the two losses. The program is 1-11 in its last 12 games when giving up more than 4.4 yards per pop.
Houston Cougars: Key Player To The 2022 Season
CB Art Green, Sr.
Go ahead and throw Alex Hogan in there, too.
Both Green and Hogan will be fine at corner, but they’re replacing two big-time producers. Damarion Williams was second on the team in tackles, and new New England Patriot Marcus Jones was a difference-maker in several phases.
The safeties are set and the pass rush will be great. Now the corners have to come up big. Green came up with just 18 tackles with a pick and two broken up passes last year. He’ll be tested.
Houston Cougars: Key Transfer
OT Tyler Johnson, Jr.
It just never worked out at Texas.
The 6-6, 325-pounder was a huge recruit for the Longhorns, but he didn’t see a whole lot of time, and the coaching staff went even bigger on the talent with the latest recruiting class. Johnson, though, has the size and the upside. Now it’s his job to sink or swim on the right side of the Cougar line.
Houston Key Game To The 2022 Season
at Texas Tech, Sept. 10
Let’s just put it out there – this is it.
There’s no Cincinnati or UCF on the slate – those two are the only real challengers to the the Cougars this season. If there’s a loss to anyone in AAC play – like at Memphis or SMU – it’ll be an upset.
Houston started out last season with a loss to Texas Tech and then ripped off 11 straight wins before losing to Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference Championship.
Win this time around against the one team on the slate that’s a real problem, and everything opens up in a big, big way.
Houston Cougars: 2021 Fun Stats
– 1st Quarter Scoring: Houston 147 – Opponents 52
– Fumbles: Opponents 22 (lost 8) – Houston 13 (lost 2)
– Time of Possession: Houston 33:26 – Opponents 26:21
O, D Breakdown | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Houston Top 10 Players | Houston Schedule