NCAA point spread numbers show that the Houston Cougars went 8-5 straight up but a disappointing 4-8 versus the NCAA football point spread in 2007. They couldn’t win the Conference USA title though and they lost their bowl game in NCAA point spread action. NCAA point spread numbers show that Houston went 4-8 in terms of over/unders in 2007. They gave up an average of 42 points per game in their four regular season defeats according to NCAA football point spread numbers.The offense was solid according to NCAA football point spread experts led by running back Anthony Alridge and quarterback Case Keenum. The defensive player of the year according to NCAA point spread numbers was DE Phillip Hunt. Things will definitely be different for Houston in 2008 as head coach Art Briles left for Baylor. The problem for Houston, as it has been in recent seasons, is the defense.
The big loss for Houston in 2007 according to NCAA point spread numbers was the loss on November 10th when they were blown out by Tulsa 56-7. The Cougars never showed up for that game and it was an indictment of Briles and the direction he was leading the program.
The good news for Houston is that Keenum had 14 TD passes along with 9 rushing TD’s according to NCAA football point spread numbers. The team brings in former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin as the new head coach. That should mean the offense continues to do well with quarterbacks Keenum and Blake Joseph according to NCAA point spread experts. Eight starters return to the defense according to NCAA point spread numbers. The problem for the offense will be the loss of RB Anthony Alridge and all of the starting receivers including Donnie Avery.
The offense was 4th in the country in 2007 in total yards according to NCAA point spread numbers. They were 23rd in total points scored according to NCAA point spread numbers. Without Alridge those numbers will drop. The defense was 48th in terms of total yards allowed according to NCAA point spread numbers but they were 75th in points allowed according to NCAA point spread stats.