Keenum staying, Sumlin staying...we think, Houston basketball wins

Thanks for the patience. I'm just returning back into the groove...

Well Cougar fans, things do seem to be looking up for both the football and basketball teams (okay, I said it seems to be "looking up" for the basketball team...I didn't say it was good).

Let's start with football:

For those of us (like me) how felt that we should have had a better defensive effort in 2009 (even with the youth and inexperience) we should be getting a different look in 2010. Defensive Coordinator John Skladany was let go (and I do wish him well) by Sumlin a week ago after another dismal defensive effort in the Armed Forces Bowl (UH finished as the 111th defense out of 120...HORRIBLE) and now the search is on for a new DC. Should have that position filled by the end of next week...

As expected, Case Keenum will forego the NFL draft and return for his senior season. A six-interception bowl game is no way to go out, and Keenum has his sights set on not only breaking NCAA passing records but leading Houston to a CUSA title and a possible BCS-busting run...

Kevin Sumlin still has not signed his contract extention...no, I don't know why. But if a coach was planning on leaving, he wouldn't be firing coaches (Skladany) and interviewing new ones. I think Sumlin is staying, but I think Cougar Nation will breathe a little easier once the papers are signed...

Recruiting class is STRONG...if Sumlin can pull the ultimate rabbit out of his hat and land Jackson Jeffcoat, the #1 rated PLAYER in this year's recruiting class...then wow...wow...

On the to basketball...'tis the season...

Senior guard Kelvin Lewis and junior forward Maurice McNeil each posted double-doubles to lead the University of Houston men's basketball team to a 75-65 win against Conference USA-rival UTEP on Wednesday night inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Aubry Coleman led all-scorers with 22 points and now has over 1, 000 points for his Houston Cougar career. CONGRATS!

The Coogs are now 2-1 in conference play, 9-7 overall. Maybe it's not a return to the glory days of Phi Slamma Jamma, but a win is a win. This team will struggle to reach 20 wins and are still a long...long...long shot for the NCAA tournament. Yes, there may be a little run, a good first and second round win the CUSA tourney, but no one thinks this team can overcome either Tulsa or Memphis to even reach the tournament final. But who knows...there's a reason the games are played on a court and not on paper...

It's getting laughable...Houston loses to UTSA 83-82

So much for that "road warrior mentality", eh Coach Penders?

UTSA defeated Houston 83-82 this afternoon in San Antonio. Can we please end the pain?

At 7-5, the Cougars are on a two-game losing streak, with losses to Louisiana Tech and UTSA. REALLY?????

The program has hit the ceiling and now looks to be dead in the water. Can the team respond and make the season decent? Maybe, but it won't happen. The talent isn't there, the players seem undisciplined and the chinese firedrill offense and defense has too many holes.

Let the drums of change begin...and bang loudly!

And we land with a thud...Air Force shoots down Houston 47-20

It's not the way the Houston Cougar football team imagined their season and year would end.

After some great moments this season, the Cougars picked the worst possible time to play their least inspired football. Air Force's triple-threat option (invented by Houston coaching legend Bill Yeoman) ran through and around the Coog's befuddled defense while Case Keenum and the Houston offense was out of sync and unfocused. The Zoomies seemed to know which play Houston was running (they competely took away the slant and were in position to stop us on almost every passing play) and it was obvious that Air Force was ready to play.

47-20? Really? Yup, and it wasn't even that close.

So what happened? How can a 10-3 team with wins over Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Mississippi State get handled so easily by a decent but hardly overhelming Air Force team?

Simple: the team didn't want it bad enough.

First, Houston was less than enthusiatic about playing the same opponent and the same bowl game as they did in 2008. After having so many big games and spending most of the 2009 season in the top 20-25, they felt they deserved a better bowl game.

Second, it seems that every time a coaching position opens up or is rumored to be opening up at a AQ-BCS school, Kevin Sumlin's name is on the list. EVERY FRICKIN' TIME!! Kansas, Cincinnatti, Colorado, Louisville, etc. During Urban Meyer's dance with resignation at Florida, an AP writer wrote that Kevin Sumlin was at the top of Florida list to replace Meyer. Then the Tech fiasco once again has the pundits buzzing about Sumlin as a replacement. This has to be a distraction to the players.

Third, Case Keenum put his name into the NFL evaluation program to determine his draftability for 2010. Though this was probably more about him taking out the appropriate insurance for the 2010 college season, it has gotten play in the media.

Fourth, the coaches didn't seem to have come up with a game plan on either side of the ball.

Time and time again the defense was out of position, outnumbered at the point of attack and on their heels. Against an offensive line that averages 255 lbs...with backs that run 4.7-4.8 40's. The "read and react" doesn't work well against a disciplined triple option team, and it showed.

On offense, Air Force did a great job studying film, determining our tendencies and exploiting our weaknesses. Case may not have had a great game, but six interceptions means that the defense knows what play you're running and where you're throwing the ball. We made no adjustments, abandoned the running game, and things just got worse.

So, what now? What does Houston have to look forward to for next season?

Nine starters return to the #1 offense in the country. But to keep that offense clicking, Dana Holgorsen will have to add more wrinkles and schemes or may be in danger of becoming predictable. Next years opponents will be studying film of the Air Force game.

On defense, the "young and inexperienced" excuse (which I actually agree with) will be out the window. Frustration towards defensive DC John Skladany is reaching a fever pitch, and unless there are major changes to defensive philosophy (such as attack and disruption vs. read and react), Houston will struggle to put teams away. Don't be shocked to see a new defensive DC in 2010.

So what needs to be fixed?

The Houston players need to suck it up and move on. They got a crappy bowl. They weren't enthusiastic about being there and felt they didn't reach their goals for the season (CUSA championship). They are right on all counts...BUT SO WHAT?? As a program you have to learn to always put out your best effort. This was your last chance to impress the voters and lauch yourself into the 2010 season with a top 20 ranking. No excuses for the egg you laid. You didn't bother to show up and you should at least have put in an effort for the Cougar faithful who showed up on a cold, windy day in Fort Worth. F for effort, and I'm sure the players know it.

Coach Sumlin needs to sign the extention...NOW!! He should have done it weeks ago. It would have been one less distraction to deal with. It has kept things in limbo and kept the programs' mind on everything except the CUSA championship game and the Armed Forces Bowl. And Kevin, will you please just say you are not interested in other jobs and will not interview for any other coaching opportunities. TCU's Gary Patterson has made that clear and that's why you don't hear his name coming up for other coaching jobs.

Case Keenum is coming back...move on.

A good season with great moments, but not a great season.