Aside from my obvious joy last night at UL's untimely demise . . .

[Tskware]

. . . I continue to be impressed as hell with Houston. Last 12 games they have smoked UL (top 5), Oklahoma (top 5 and probable Big 12 champ) and Fla State (top 10).

I understand Houston is a big city and lots of talent, blah, blah, blah, but it is not like they have had years and years of championship teams. In fact, they had a losing record in 2010 and 2012, playing a C-USA schedule.

Oliver is one of the best pure football players I have seen in many a year. And although they lack a lot of size, their team speed on defense is top drawer. Tom Hermann is about to become a really wealthy man, but don't really understand why the Big 12 would not want to add Houston, seems like they would be a hell of a lot more competitive year in and year out than Iowa State, Tex Tech or Kansas.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

. . . I continue to be impressed as hell with Houston. Last 12 games they have smoked UL (top 5), Oklahoma (top 5 and probable Big 12 champ) and Fla State (top 10).

I understand Houston is a big city and lots of talent, blah, blah, blah, but it is not like they have had years and years of championship teams. In fact, they had a losing record in 2010 and 2012, playing a C-USA schedule.

Oliver is one of the best pure football players I have seen in many a year. And although they lack a lot of size, their team speed on defense is top drawer. Tom Hermann is about to become a really wealthy man, but don't really understand why the Big 12 would not want to add Houston, seems like they would be a hell of a lot more competitive year in and year out than Iowa State, Tex Tech or Kansas.

I have to agree with you on your praise of Houston's defense, they looked like they were playing in fast mode and were able to play at that pace the entire game. That enabled them to close what lanes did open up, but the biggest thing was they were sure tacklers in the open field.

As for why the Big12 didn't want them in, I read the Baylor site some and their fanbase didn't want them in because it would hurt their recruiting in Houston. They felt as long as Houston wasn't in the Group of 5 or whatever its called it gave them an advantage recruiting Houston. Apparently the rest of the conference did too. But I also think that seeing how Texas runs the Big12 as they see fit, they didn't want Houston in so it would be easier to pluck Herman from Houston when Charlie is fired. If Houston was in a P5 conference the motivation to head to Texas and a P5 job wouldn't be there. The rest of the conference bowed their head and said can we have another. Texas killed the Southwest Conference, was on the verge of killing the Big12 2-3 years ago and not expanding might be the beginning of the end.

 

[bthaunert]

Houston's success is all about coaching. 3 of their last 4 hires have been outstanding hires. That will get you somewhere in college football.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

Louisville stole the wrong game plan.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

Herman to Texas, Briles to Houston.

 

[reflaine]

Houston's success is all about coaching. 3 of their last 4 hires have been outstanding hires. That will get you somewhere in college football.

briles had success before he ultimately fell apart, summon was lucky he wasn't ran out of town in Aggie land and wouldn't call his tenure there a great success, and the other coach is a tight end coach at western. Nothing promises Herman will be a sure fire hit when he takes over slmewhere. Houston has a lot of recruiting advantages built in in a decent but not great conference.

 

[sluggercatfan]

. . . I continue to be impressed as hell with Houston. Last 12 games they have smoked UL (top 5), Oklahoma (top 5 and probable Big 12 champ) and Fla State (top 10).

I understand Houston is a big city and lots of talent, blah, blah, blah, but it is not like they have had years and years of championship teams. In fact, they had a losing record in 2010 and 2012, playing a C-USA schedule.

Oliver is one of the best pure football players I have seen in many a year. And although they lack a lot of size, their team speed on defense is top drawer. Tom Hermann is about to become a really wealthy man, but don't really understand why the Big 12 would not want to add Houston, seems like they would be a hell of a lot more competitive year in and year out than Iowa State, Tex Tech or Kansas.

Hush!!! Aren't you aware you can't turn it around that fast...takes at least 10 years!!

 

[Real Deal 2]

That was pure coaching. Put Herman at LSU and he will beat Alabama every other year, he will have a QB and offense to go with Defense.

Again, beating FSU, UL, Okl. and to play as they have last 2 years is pretty damn impressive. That is coaching. We are trying to become bowl eligible in 11th week against Austin Peay.
I am for Stoops, want him to stay, needs to turn this up a notch. Time to quit the excuse making. Need to beat Fla, UT, UL, not Vanderbilt and S. Carolina. We have to do what some of these teams like UL and Houston, Penn St. get some quality wins.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

 

[Beatle Bum]

UL's defense is pretty darn good, as well. TOs put them in a bad spot for a couple of Houston's scores. But, that is a good defense.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Last night was more proof at how important coaching is in college football.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

They looked like the team that beat Oklahoma. Not sure what happened to them with those two losses, but I wouldn't relish playing them right now.

And I was glad to see them beat UL as well. This is twice they've blown a chance. Houston will sound as bad to them as Rutgers.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

 

[Mikey Likes It]

UL's defense is pretty darn good, as well. TOs put them in a bad spot for a couple of Houston's scores. But, that is a good defense.

They're defense always seems pretty average when they play a decent offense. They've been playing teams with some of the worst offenses in division I.

Total Offense
Virginia - 108th
Wake - 123
Boston College - 128 <- This is as low as stats go. Worst offense in college football.
Marshall - 107
Charlotte - 93

To date they've played 4 teams that rank in the top 50 in Total Offense
FSU - 33 - Averages 465 yards per game - Against the Cards 284
Clemson - 15 - Averages 502 yard per game - Against the Cards 507 yards
Syracuse - 47 - Averages 407 yards per game - Against the Cards 414 yards
Houston - 44 - Averages 444 yards per game - Against the Cards 362 yards

I'll give them the FSU game to their credit, but FSU has also been padding their stats against ACC bottom feeders

 

[seccats04]

I have to agree with you on your praise of Houston's defense, they looked like they were playing in fast mode and were able to play at that pace the entire game. That enabled them to close what lanes did open up, but the biggest thing was they were sure tacklers in the open field.

As for why the Big12 didn't want them in, I read the Baylor site some and their fanbase didn't want them in because it would hurt their recruiting in Houston. They felt as long as Houston wasn't in the Group of 5 or whatever its called it gave them an advantage recruiting Houston. Apparently the rest of the conference did too. But I also think that seeing how Texas runs the Big12 as they see fit, they didn't want Houston in so it would be easier to pluck Herman from Houston when Charlie is fired. If Houston was in a P5 conference the motivation to head to Texas and a P5 job wouldn't be there. The rest of the conference bowed their head and said can we have another. Texas killed the Southwest Conference, was on the verge of killing the Big12 2-3 years ago and not expanding might be the beginning of the end.

This is exactly what i was going to reply. It made no sense for the conference to not want a good football program like Houston but then I started thought about how Texas runs the conference and if Houston is allowed in, Herman may not leave Houston for the Longhorns.

 

[cat888]

Last night was more proof at how important coaching is in college football.

Also showed a difference in schedule can make a difference in how good a coach looks

 

[Mr Schwump]

Still think Herman will head off to the NFL.

 

[Mr Schwump]

I have to agree with you on your praise of Houston's defense, they looked like they were playing in fast mode and were able to play at that pace the entire game. That enabled them to close what lanes did open up, but the biggest thing was they were sure tacklers in the open field.

As for why the Big12 didn't want them in, I read the Baylor site some and their fanbase didn't want them in because it would hurt their recruiting in Houston. They felt as long as Houston wasn't in the Group of 5 or whatever its called it gave them an advantage recruiting Houston. Apparently the rest of the conference did too. But I also think that seeing how Texas runs the Big12 as they see fit, they didn't want Houston in so it would be easier to pluck Herman from Houston when Charlie is fired. If Houston was in a P5 conference the motivation to head to Texas and a P5 job wouldn't be there. The rest of the conference bowed their head and said can we have another. Texas killed the Southwest Conference, was on the verge of killing the Big12 2-3 years ago and not expanding might be the beginning of the end.

Grumpy, re Texas killing the SWC...maybe to a degree but what really killed the SWC was SMU and the whole death penality thing. Don't forget SMU didn't play for something like 2-3 years, the scheduling thing affected the whole conference. ESPN's 30 for 30 thing titled "Pony Excess" documents that whole mess in an excellent manner. Due to the long term hurt done to SMU, the SWC and their schools is why we are unlikely to ever see a death penality case again.

 

[K_TIME]

But this is UL in so many years going back to John L Smith days, Charlie Strong and both of Petrino's runs at UL.

- They do look good and have impressive games vs. ranked teams.
- They then are allowed to sleep walk thru some games that they win in a non convincing manner (UVA is a bad team...shouldn't be close to a great team)
- Then they tend to get stung and lose one of those sleep walking games

And end up with 2 or so losses on their best years...For sure they are way better than UK but to hear them argue they are a top tier SEC program is non sense. Maybe the final year of Bridgewater they were...but other than that...probably never have been a top tier SEC team.

 

[frost1]

Houston, when healthy, is a top 15 team fore sure.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Also showed a difference in schedule can make a difference in how good a coach looks

excellent point. People need to remember that even in their "golden age" of football that UL is enjoying, they still rarely beat good teams. Rarely, as in, almost never.