Last season, the Houston Cougars took a significant step forward. Houston beat the college football odds with 12 wins. UH made the American Athletic Conference championship game. More is possible for the 2022 campaign. Consider that quarterback Clayton Tune and receiver Nathaniel Dell are returning in 2022. Head coach Dana Holgorsen’s squad will have a chance to build upon last year’s breakout. And can compete with defending champion Cincinnati. This season the Cougars bring one of the conference’s top offenses. Meanwhile, the defense brings back six starters from a unit that became an asset.
Houston Cougars Future Odds at SBG
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| To win the National Championship | +27000 |
| To win the AAC | +300 |
| Over/Under Win Total | 9 |
Dirty Dana Moves the Needle for Houston Cougars
Of major concern is that running back Alton McCaskill IV is lost to an ACL injury. But Houston returns what could be the league’s top pass-catch combo. Specifically, quarterback Clayton Tune and All-AAC wide receiver Nathaniel Dell are as good as any tandem.
In 2022 Tune took a big step in head coach Dana Holgorsen’s dynamic system. To illuminate, Tune threw for 3,546 yards and 30 TDs. At the same time, Dell produced one of the best seasons in school history. Dell totaled 90 catches, 1,329 yards, and 12 TDs. He is a game-breaking sportsbook threat who had six 100-yard games. Including 152 yards against Cincinnati in the AAC championship game.
Additionally, Houston hit the transfer portal for several reinforcements. Those additions will allow Houston more flexibility with Dell and KeSean Carter. Tight end Christian Trahan offers another reliable target.
Ta’Zhawn Henry was the team’s second-leading rusher with 524 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. Now he takes over as the feature back until McCaskill’s return. He will be joined by USC transfer Brandon Campbell and Stacy Sneed. Left tackle Patrick Paul and right guard Tank Jenkins are the only returners up front.
Houston Cougars Conclusion
Houston has produced high NFL draft picks on the defensive line in three of the last four years. Yet the defensive line is still one of the best in the country and should not skip a beat. The powerful and highly publicized defensive line AKA “Sack Avenue,” posted 34.5 of the team’s 45 total sacks in 2021. D’Anthony Jones and Derek Parish combined for 12 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss. Nelson Ceaser could be one of the top defensive ends in the AAC.
Houston took a big College football betting odds step in its 12-win season. Most important of all, the Cougars aren’t done. There is no Cincinnati or UCF on the regular-season schedule. And the non-conference slate is winnable. Thus, UH could challenge for the AAC title and New Year’s Six bowl in their final AAC campaign. Non-conference games against UTSA, Kansas, and Texas Tech could be dangerous. With a move to the Big 12 Conference set for 2023, the Cougars have the right pieces to make their AAC finale memorable.
2022 Houston Cougars Schedule
- September 3: at UTSA Roadrunners
- Sep 10: at Texas Tech Red Raiders
- September 17: Kansas Jayhawks
- Sep 24: Rice Owls
- Sep 30: Tulane Green Wave
- October 7: at Memphis Tigers
- October 15: OFF
- Oct 22: at Navy Midshipmen
- Oct 29: USF Bulls
- November 5: at SMU Mustangs
- Nov 12: Temple Owls
- November 19: at East Carolina Pirates
- Nov 26: Tulsa Golden Hurricane