Houston Cougars - NCAA Football Odds, Lines & Betting

The Cougars roared to the C-USA championship last season posting a 10-4 record, before succumbing 44-36 to South Carolina in the Liberty Bowl.  The Cougars could be even better in 2007 as they welcome 16 starters back to campus on both sides of the ball. But the loss of quarterback Kevin Kolb (drafted by the Eagles) will be tough for coach Art Briles to absorb.  Kolb led the Cougars to eighth in the nation in passing offense and seventh in total offense, and either Blake Joseph or Case Keenum will be given the daunting task of steering Houston back to a bowl game. 

Anthony Alridge, who rushed for 959 yards and eight scores, should make up for the loss of Jackie Battle in the backfield, while Donnie Avery (57 receptions, 852 yards, 5 TD) and Jeron Harvey (41 receptions, 671 yards, 4 TD) have the potential to be an explosive duo to compensate for the graduation of Vincent Marshall.  The offensive line is also injury-prone, especially at the left tackle position where SirVincent Rogers could miss the entire season with a serious knee injury.  Linebackers Cody Lubojasky (84 tackles) and Trent Allen (81 tackles) head a total of eight returning starters on defense, but the losses of Will Gulley and Willie Gaston depletes Houston’s secondary.  Freshman linebacker C.J. Cavness could emerge to give Houston one of the strongest linebacking corps in the conference. 

The Cougars were 72nd in the nation last season in total defense, but their 70th-place ranking in pass defense could take a dive if the secondary, now led by Kenneth Fontenette, gives up the big play.  The Cougars begin their 2007 season with a difficult road game at Oregon, before Rice visits Oct. 13.  A tricky road game at Tulsa presents another obstacle for the Cougars, who will be in tough in trying to retain their C-USA championship.

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