2007 Houston Cougars football preview

Houston Cougars

2006 Record: (10-4, 7-1 C-USA)
Coach: Art Briles (26-24 at Houston, 26-24 overall)

Starters Returning: 17 (6 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)

Offensive Starters Lost: QB Kevin Kolb, RB Jackie Battle, WR Vincent Marshall, OL Byron Alfred, OL Sterling Doty

Offensive Starters Returning: RB Anthony Alrdige, WR Donnie Avery, WR Jerome Harvey, OL Jeff Akeroyd, OL Michael Bloesch, OL Dustin Dickinson

Defensive Starters Lost: DT Marquay Love, LB Wade Koehl, CB Willie Gaston, S Will Gulley

Defensive Starters Returning: DE Phillip Hunt, DE Cody Pree, LB Trent Allen, LB Cody Lubojasky, LB Brendan Pahulu, CB Kenneth Fontenette, S Ernest Miller

Starting Specialists Lost: P Justin Laird

Starting Specialists Returning: K Ben Bell

The Cougars main concern is replacing quarterback Kevin Kolb. Over the last four years Kolb turned a good team into, occasionally, a great team. Sophomore Blake Joseph needs to become a consistent passer for the Cougars to be as effective as they were with Kolb, but there is enough talent for the Cougars to win C-USA even if the quarterback situation remains unsettled.

2007 Houston Offense:

Joseph threw only eight passes in 2006, but at least he completed six of them. However, redshirt freshman Case Keenum is not giving the job away to Joseph. Whomever the quarterback ends up being, he will have the leagues top receiving tandem to throw to. Donnie Avery and Jeron Harvey combined for 98 receptions for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomore Chris Gilbert and tight end Mark Hafner will be quality throwing targets when the opposition keys in on Avery and Harvey.

The running attack returns Anthony Aldridge, who rushed for 959 yards on just 95 carries. However, the 5-9, 170 pound Denton, Texas native is not a bruising back and will have trouble carrying the load. The absence of Jackie Battle, who racked up 184 carries last year, and Roshawn Pope will leave a big hole next to Aldridge in the running game. At 5-9 and 190 pounds, redshirt freshman Randall Antoine is not a big guy, but he will see plenty of action spelling Aldridge.

2007 Houston Defense:

Coach Art Briles’ 3-4 defense may be counted on a little more than they are used to until the offense comes around. With seven starters returning, the defense can handle the job. End Phillip Hunt returns after earning eight sacks in 2006. Cody Pree was a part-time starter in 2006 and will take over the nose tackle position to help replace Marquay Love.

There is plenty of talent and experience behind the front three. Linebackers Trent Allen and Cory Lubojasky are the top two returning tacklers last year and Brendan Pahulu provides more senior leadership. Stephen James, a transfer from Oklahoma State, will replace the departed Wade Koehl and form one of the most dynamic group of linebackers in the conference. The secondary may lose two starters, but there is not much cause for concern. Rocky Schwartz was the team’s leading tackler in 2005 and missed most last season with an injury. If Schwartz is fully healthy by the fall, the unit will be deep, experienced and talented.

The Bottom Line for the Cougars: