Houston Cougar Game Day One - vs. Texas St. - Beginning of an Era

Houston Cougars 

vs.

Texas St. Bobcats

7 p.m. Sept. 1, 2012

on Houston campus at Robertson Stadium

Tx St leads overall series 3-1

Houston won last meeting 68-28 in 2010

The Beginning of an Era

If there is one theme to Houston Cougar football, it is "Change."  New head coach, new quarterback, whole new set of starting wide receivers not to mention a new conference in 2013 and a new stadium in 2014.

One thing fans hope won't change is the winning ways of the football program.  Aside from the 2010 injury to Case Keenum, the Cougars have hummed along smoothly.

The Coogs are coming off a record setting season with multiple players setting school or NCAA records.  While the disappointed by dropping the C-USA title game by finishing off on a high note by beating Penn St. in Ticket City Bowl in Dallas.

At quarterback situation is settled with redshirt sophomore David Piland taking the helm.  Helping Piland out is an offensive line that started all 14 games last year.

The defense also returns a majority of starters and key back ups. The change on defense will be an adjustment back to the 4-3 attack.  DJ Hayden anchors the defensive backs while sophomore Derrick Matthews will patrol the middle for the linebackers.  Matthews started last year as a true freshman.  Also look for another true freshman, Trevon Stewart, to make an impact.  While Stewart won't be starting, he'll probably be first corner off the bench.

One other question I had was how will the fans respond to the new era especially with the loss of Keenum.  That question seems to have been answered for at least one game.  Houston fans are notoriously fickle and will only show up for winning teams.  I figured there might be some attendance drop off.  As of Friday afternoon, only 1500 tickets remain.  Looks like the game will probably be a sell out.

Another Reason To Think John Clayton Is A Hack

I don't think I've included ESPiN.com's John Clayton as a hack.  If I have, my apologizes for not mentioning it, because he is.

Clayton is a hack on the same level as SI.com's Peter King.  King loves dropping names of who he talks to on cell phone, texts and emails.

Clayton loves talking nonsense.  Case in point is this week's mailbag.

Questioned posed: " I've noticed that this year every week there's going to be a Thursday game, which up until a few years ago was a rarity save for Thanksgiving. How badly does a Thursday game mess with a team's normal rhythm, prep time, and recovery from the previous week's game?"

Clueless Clayton's response: "Players and coaches might disagree with me, but I don't think it's too bad...The shortened week means light practices and that saves the body. Teams with older players might be affected more because of the lack of rest. The key is there is a mental and physical break after the Thursday game. The 10 days between games is a good refresher."

Really?  The players and coaches, you know the ones who actually play the games and plan for them, might disagree.  Yeah, Clueless, it's not to bad to play a shortened week or plan for it when all you do is sit in the press box and write about it.

F**k you, Clayton.  They are the ones in the trenches.  They have every right to complain.  You are a hack sitting in the press box writing.  You don't care what happens as long as you get your story.

A short week means light practices?  It also means you have a short week in between brain batterings.  But what do you care?  It's not your brain getting battered.

My favorite line is how he defends the break cause "10 days between games is a good refresher."  No you hack.  A good refresher is an open week when two weeks lapse between games.  Three days rest between Sunday and Thursday is not a good refresher.  Ten days in the aftermath is an ER visit.

The NFL is a violent game.  It's part of the appeal of the game.  We as fans and players accept the inherent risks of the game.  Fans accept...well fans pay money to see the bashings.  Players sign contracts understanding the inherent risks of playing football and are compensated for it.  If a player doesn't like the terms and conditions of football, he is free to seek employment elsewhere.

What chaps my hide is a wormy little f**k like John Clayton saying "players and coaches might disagree with me, but I don't think it's too bad..."  Yeah f**k face, they are the ones putting their bodies and brains on the line.  It's a risk they accept.  You, on the other hand, don't do shit but sit in the press box.  Until that's you lining up and getting hit, I suggest you write more about experiences you are more familiar about.

Perspectives - One Man's Out House is Another's Castle

UTSA president Dr. Ricardo Romo stated that since UTSA started football, the dream destination was Conference-USA.  As I've been agitating for since my Houston Cougars announced move to the Big East, their wish came true.  UTSA will start play in C-USA in 2013; the same year the Coogs start Big East play.

Perspectives offer great windows into the thought processes of realignment goals of UH and UTSA.

Houston, formerly of the defunct Southwest Conference, joined C-USA in the wake of Texas, A&M, Baylor and Texas Tech joining up with Big Eight schools to form the Big 12.  At the time, UH football reached a low point following a short run that included nationally ranked teams and a Heisman Trophy winner.  The wheels fell off the program and an already fickle fan base shrank more.  The support sank so low that there was a movement to drop football.

A number of moves by Houston righted the ship and lead to a resurgence of Houston Cougar football.  Athletic Director David Maggard fired Dana Dimel and hired Art Briles.  Briles led the Cougars to new found success that included bowl games.  The Cougars emerged from the depths of the only 0-11 season to a C-USA title in 2006.  Kevin Sumlin then took the Cougars to national rankings and the verge of a BCS bowl game while leading UH to 12 regular season wins.  The program went from the edge of the abyss to national prominence.  With the combination of sustained success, increased fan support, commitment to new or improved facilities and on field success, Houston looked to leave C-USA.  The original goal was the Big 12 after the departures of Nebraska and Colorado.  UH also maintained contact with Mountain West Conference.

Eventually Houston, realizing its goal of leaving C-USA, moved on to the Big East conference.  The motivation of course is money.  TV football money.  UH finally found a home.  Make no mistake about it, if the Big 12 comes calling, and that's a big if, UH will trip over itself taking the invitation.

On the flip side, UTSA wanted to join C-USA.  The goal was to eventually attain C-USA membership while rising up the ranks from Southland to WAC.  The Roadrunners accepted a WAC invitation only to see things break favorably.  C-USA lost Houston, smu and Central Florida to the Big East.  Thus the window opened for UTSA.  After an initial cool reception, C-USA warmed up to the 'runners.  A big push by the school and community made the conference take a second look.  Congrats to UTSA....the will start C-USA play after one year in WAC. The WAC goes on life support with the loss of the football programs.

Houston and its fans viewed C-USA as a holding place until the right time to move on came along after the demise of the SWC.  The Cougars wanted to play the next level up and saw C-USA more of an impediment than an advantage for competition.  The quality from top to bottom in C-USA was lacking respect.  Outside of Houston, Central Florida, Tulsa andSouthern Miss, football languished with anchors like Memphis, UAB, rice and Tulane.  Marshall, UTEP and East Carolina cycled through teams but not on a consistent basis.  Houston felt bigger and better things existed outside of C-USA.

UTSA though, felt that C-USA was an appropriate destination for the fledgling program years down the road.  Things changed quickly and the administration took advantage of the dynamic situation and positioned the 'runners further along ahead of schedule.

Houston's moving on up the Big East side and UTSA gladly took up residence next to Archie Bunker.

I wish nothing but luck to both programs as a San Antonio native but Houston alumnus.

UTSA to C-USA, Status of BCS

Ever since my Houston Cougars officially accepted the move to the Big East, I've been pulling for the UTSA Roadrunners to take UH's slot in Conference USA.  I'm originally from San Antonio and while I never considered going to UTSA, I'd like to see their football program succeed.  Better yet, with them playing rice annually, I hope the beat the ever living crap out of the owls every year.

The Roadrunners move up the football food chain has been incredibly quick.  Within three years of their inaugural season , they will be playing in a NCAA Football Bowl Division conference.

Several obvious factors went into the quick rise up the ranks for the 'runners.  First was timing.  With the  constant reshuffling of football conferences over the last several years, UTSA's program started at the right time.  I seriously doubt the program ascends so quickly with out the chain reaction of realignments.  The size of San Antonio also played a role as well as the location in Texas.  Other than the Spurs, there is no competition for major sporting dollars.  San Antonio also showed up in droves during the first season to support the home games.

Also on the plus side is that C-USA is a craptacular shitastic football conference.  Houston, Southern Miss and Tulsa consistently field good teams with UH and So. Miss finishing the year ranked.  Central Florida also had some ranked teams.  Occasionally UTEP, East Carolina or Marshall put a decent product on the field.  Outside of a one season, rice has been a joke along with Tulane, UAB and Memphis.  If UTSA can recruit well and find a better coach than Larry Coker, they can compete in the next couple of years.

Now the downside.

How strong is the support if the Roadrunners don't succeed right away?  Will San Antonio casual fans come out if they start can't compete?  How long with the novelty last if winning isn't consistent?

Facilities is another issue.  They currently play in the Alamodome.  That place is a barn.  An on campus better designed stadium needs to be built.

So far UTSA's vision for football and conference realignment goals have been spot on.  If they continue on their current path, I see competitive and maybe ranked team in the next five years.

The BCS maybe Dead....But Only In Name?
The big driver in conference realignment has been nothing but the dollar sign.  Traditional rivalries have been cast off.  Regional conferences have given way to national conferences.

Schools left on the outside looking in have tried their best to get in to the Big Six (Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, ACC, SEC & Big East).  Why? Because that is where the TV money and access to the big money bowls are.  In the Big Six and you have better and easier access to the money that the other conferences.

David Dodd, of CBS Sports, writes that the BCS may be dead only in name.  In his article, Dodd writes that the proposed final football four may only increase the line of demarcation between the Big Six and what he calls the Group of Five (MAC, MWC, Sun Belt, C-USA, WAC).

The Group of Five will still have avenues to finish in the final football four play off with something along the lines of the current rules of the BCS.

Dodd quotes Sun Belt conference commissioner Karl Benson:

"There are still going to be five conferences that are set aside,” said Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said. “I don't have a problem with that."

Based on Dodd's column, it appears that the Big Six will let the Group of Five tag along and keep the Football Subdivision title but still make it hard for those teams to earn a spot in the big money bowls or the proposed final football four.  The Group of Five also seem to know there is nothing they can do about it.

With TV money the driving force, teams like Houston, TCU, Utah and Boise St. strove for Big Six membership.  They based their claim to the Big Six on either football success, TV market size or both.  Houston and TCU bring the Houston and Dallas markets.  Utah and Boise St. bring consistent football prowess.  Their moves to the Big Six are now complete.

I believe with the latest TV contracts and the football final four playoffs kicking in soon that conference realignment and expansion of the Big Six is over.  The only movement left will be in the Group of Five and some NCAA Football Championship Subdivision teams moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision.  

Houston Dynamo - Road Warriors

When the Houston Dynamo schedule revealed seven road game and not the first until May, I was not happy.  I thought it was a chicken move by MLS to start the team off on the road.  I also blamed all involved with the new stadium construction for such crappy timing.  I also didn't think it unreasonable to allow the home team to play two or three final games at Robertson Stadium.  It seemed the fair thing to do.

The only thing working in the Dynamo's favor is the fact they get an unbalanced number of home games later in the season.

Given the first seven on the road, it becomes crucial that the Dynamo start off well on the road.  Which is a tall order for a team that only won two road games and those were late in the season.  Seven games, 21 points on the table for the team.  So far they are s 2-0 on the road and six crucial points on the standings.

While I appreciate the wins, I do have some early concerns about the offense.

In the first game against Chivas USA, Andre Hainault scored the game winner late in stoppage time at the end of the game.  Brian Ching and Will Bruin both had opportunities to score but were unable to find the back of the net.

I didn't see the whole game, but against San Jose, Brad Davis converted a penalty kick that resulted in the game's only goal.

Commentators in both games think the Dynamo have the best defense in the league.  I'm find with that because defense will win many low scoring games or draw.  On the flip side, that same defense will make things easier when the offense puts more balls in the goal.  A 2-0 lead is easier to defend than hanging on to a 1-0 lead...like against San Jose this weekend.

I'd love for the Dynamo to return home with the full 21 points in the bag.  Realistically that won't happen.  With five remaining road games, I'll even take 1-2-2 record...one more win and two draws nets 5 more points.  11 points through seven games isn't to shabby.

Go Dynamo!

Dynamo 1 Chivas 0


Dynamo 1 Earthquakes 0

Houston Cougars - Recruiting News, Stadium Referendum Passes

Yes we all know by now that the University of Houston Cougars are headed to the Big East after the 2012 season. 

The Cougars capped off a 13-1 season with the Ticket City Bowl win over a Penn State team in disarray but still facing the fifth rated defense.  Case Keenum solved them quick and dispatched the Nittany Lions 30-14.

So with the football season in the review mirror what was left for the Cougars to do as a follow up?

The next big task facing new Houston coach Tom Levine was keeping the recruiting class of 2012 intact.  Not only did he succeed in bringing in a talented class, he wrested away a prize recruit from Notre Dame.

Recruiting Day Surprise
Deontay Greenberry committed the Fighting Irish eight months ago.  Despite the commitment to the Irish, he took a last minute weekend visit to UH.  Pretty much everyone attributes the switch to his relationship with UH assistant Jamie Christian.  Christian recruited Greenberry for Arizona St. before relocating to Houston's staff.  My best guess is that Greenberry did a the last minute visit to Houston as a courtesy to Christian. 

Initially, Greenberry was following his cousin to Notre Dame.  After his Houston visit Greenberry stated that

I was going to Notre Dame for the wrong reason...I started sitting down and really thinking what's best for me, where I would feel most comfortable.

Greenberry is ranked a five star recruit by Scout.

Greenberry's highlight reel:


Other Recruiting News
Even if Greenberry stayed with the Irish, the Cougars still hauled in a nice recruiting class.  Scout ranked the Cougars as top recruiting class in Conference USA and 57th overall..  For comparison, future Big East brethren Boise St. ranked a step ahead of UH a #56, SMU at #65 and Central Florida #119.  In the Big East, the Cougars ranked only ahead of #66 UConn and #68 South Florida.

I can't do the new class justice in a blog write up.  Instead I'll leave it to the pros.  The best free capsules are from official Houston website and Houston Chronicle UH beat writer Sam Khan, Jr.

Students Approve Fee Increase
Finally, one last step was required to fund a new football stadium and renovate Hofheinz Pavilion.  The athletic department and the student government asked the students to vote in favor of increasing fees to fund both projects.

Again, Khan does a fantastic write up on what the referendum approval means to the school.

For artistic renderings of the new facilities and the UH push to get the approval visit Building UH Pride Together.

Cougar Pride Brewing
And now for an Unkle Monkee editorial.

Major props to the University of Houston students for passing the referendum.  The administration and athletic department worked hard to move the Coogs out of Conference USA and into the Big East.  With their work done, the students were ask to do their part and decide whether or not to build facilities deserving of the conference upgrade.  And the students overwhelmingly approved the measure to impose fee increases on themselves.

In these economic times, when funding and money is tight, the students decided to add more to their financial obligations to the University.  That is asking a lot when $50 can buy a lot of cheap beer, Ramen noodles and mac & cheese.  On the message boards, many commented that $50 is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.  Yes it is when you are paying for books, tuition, rent and buying food.  Every cent counts. 

Yet the students realized that the conference upgrade raised the profile of the athletic teams which in turn raised the profile of the University.  In view such upgrades, they saw the teams deserved to play in upgraded facilities.  9,923 students (26.1% of enrollment) voted.  7,334 (73.9%) voted in favor of the increase.  The students didn't think about the present.  They saw the future...they saw the potential for the Cougars...they not only voted on the ballot, they voted with their wallets and bank accounts.

Go Coogs!

Houston Cougar Game Day 8 vs. Rice Owls

#17 Houston vs. rice

October 27, 2011

7:00 p.m.
Robertson Stadium - UH Campus
Houston, TX
TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: 790 AM (Houston, Tx)
Houston leads series 36-22

rice (intentionally left in lower case to signify the insignificance of that school) won the last meeting between the cross town rivals.  With Case Keenum lost for the year, the quarterbacking duties fell on true freshman David Piland.  Piland kept the Coogs in the game by throwing three touchdowns.  His owl counterpart, Nick Fanuzzi, equaled his touchdown total.

The game boiled down to who made the least mistakes.  Unfortunately that mistake was made by the Cougars.  Piland fumbled the snap on a 4th and 1 and the owls recovered.  Houston lost the game 34-31.

2008 signified the most significant meeting standing and championship wise for the two schools.  The winner mostly likely would end up in the C-USA championship.  rice prevailed in a shoot out 56-42 at rice stadium.  

The game set up a 2009 revenge match for the Cougars.  This time the Cougars did not mess around.  Houston posted the largest margin of victory in the series.  The Coogs pounded the owls 73-14.

Once again, 2011 sets up to be another revenge game for the Cougars.  This time Case Keenum returns to the helm of the Cougar offense.  Add in the new found brilliance of the defense and this game looks to be another massive beat down in the series.  

Here's hoping the Cougars hang 80 or more on rice.

Link Dump

Memorable Moments from Bayou Bucket

A Look Back at Last Five Bayou Bucket Games

SB Houston Game Preview