Who's afraid of the big bad cougar?

by **Mustangsabu** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:15 am

I don't get it. Why are UH getting so much hype? They no longer have Alridge, who, let's face it, singlehandedly beat the 'Stangs last year. This is a game I think we can win. Look at the way we came back at them last year, three points the difference going into the fourth quarter, even having given up 24 points in the second.

Somebody please explain why Uh are so hyped this year? And that question is asked with sincerity. The niceties of this beautiful game often escape me.

by **CalallenStang** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:19 am

Kevin Sumlin.

by **SMUFan** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:19 am

I'm with you. I'm not saying they'll suck, but they're now two years removed from Kevin Kolb, who was a stud, and Avery and Alridge are gone .... they'll be OK, but they sure aren't scary.

by **pony warrior** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:23 am

It's definetly a winnable game. They are weak at RB and DB which should play into our scheme. They have a very good O-Line and if we don't get pressure on the QB they could pick us apart. It should be a pretty high scoring game. I don't think they have decided on a QB yet, between Keenum and Joseph.

by **CalallenStang** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:24 am

pony warrior wrote:It's definetly a winnable game. They are weak at RB and DB which should play into our scheme. They have a very good O-Line and if we don't get pressure on the QB they could pick us apart. It should be a pretty high scoring game. I don't think they have decided on a QB yet, between Keenum and Joseph.

This is the way I am seeing it as well. That said, they are being hyped because of Kevin Sumlin.

by **couch 'em** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:27 am

They are probably saying the same thing about us.

by **Mustangsabu** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:28 am

I guess the hire of a new coach like Sumlin is the sort of thing that sends ripples through the conference. I just feel like people discount our chances of winning that game, and yet, by the time it comes around, I thin our offense will be in much better shape and our D will have defined itself a little more. I tend to agree that it might be a high scoring affair, but something tells me that we are in for a lot of those.

No Alridge, no Avery, bring it on Cougar High.

by **NTXCoog** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:34 pm

What did we hear going into last season? No Kolb, no Jackie Battle, no Vincent Marshall. Freshman QBs. Goodbye Coogs. UH wound up having the 4th best offense in the nation. Now those QBs have a year of experience under their belt and hopefully we have a coach that actually decides who the better QB is and plays him instead of switching back & forth.

Sumlin is responsible for some of the hype, but not as much hype as SMU is getting for Jones. I think the depth of the UH coaching staff is what's most exciting for Cougar fans. Sumlin is a great hire, but add Holgorsen (TT's OC), Skladany (UCF's DC), Jim Jeffcoat (Cowboy's player & coach), Burtnett (former Big 10 coach of the year), Jason Phillips (Cougar All-American player) and you have a staff that hopefully has more impact than a single "star" head coach like we had under Briles.

On the field, the lines will make it alot easier for the skill players to shine on both sides of the ball. We're especially excited to hopefully have a defense this year. The DLine led by Lombardi candidate & CUSA sack leader Phillip hunt will hopefully make a difference.

It should be an exciting game between SMU & UH.

by **ALEX LIFESON** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:18 pm

I looked at the bios on the UH staff, very impressive.

by **Stallion** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:17 pm

the reason UH is picked so high rest largely on the fact that they are one of the few teams with quality returning defenders. They have by far the best defensive line with Phillip Hunt, Tennesse transfer Ell Ash and Cody Pree returning plus all CUSA candidate in Cody Lubosky plus last time I looked they had most all their secondary commng back.I hear from their own fans that they think their WRs are looking like doggie-doo in recent scrimmages.

by **mrydel** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:34 am

Stallion wrote:I hear from their own fans that they think their WRs are looking like doggie-doo in recent scrimmages.

Thanks for the poop scoop.

by **ponyte** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:21 am

Until our defense proves it can make a few stops, we have reason to be very concerned.

by **jtstang** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:58 am

I agree with ponyte. I am concerned about our defense.

Also, before we start throwing rocks at our conference mates, shouldn't we go ahead and win our second game in two seasons, and first conference game in three?

by **Mustangsabu** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:13 am

jtstang wrote:I agree with ponyte. I am concerned about our defense.

Also, before we start throwing rocks at our conference mates, shouldn't we go ahead and win our second game in two seasons, and first conference game in three?

I was not throwing rocks, just to clarify, I was asking a question. I just find it strange that given how bad our team was last year, we still hung in there with UH until the last quarter.

I am concerned about our defense too. I will say that I just stopped by the morning practice for about 30 minutes. The theme of the time I was there was speed. Our lads were being told again, and again, that they have to do everything at full speed. Odiari and LeRibeus got called out for not doing so. DeMyron, Rock, and Phelps were complimented.

I have no doubt that our D will be better, it may not be great, but it will be better, and I think it has an opportunity to surprise some people.

by **ponyte** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:16 am

jtstang wrote:I agree with ponyte. I am concerned about our defense.

Also, before we start throwing rocks at our conference mates, shouldn't we go ahead and win our second game in two seasons, and first conference game in three?

Why would one be concerned if one has no expectations?

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