Cougar Football is in Waco for the Baylor game under a cloud of uncertainty. The Houston team that showed up in Manhattan a week ago cannot be the team that takes the field today. Can they respond? Can they start faster than the last two weeks?

the daily #96 | 11/4/2023 | Archives
 

Slooooow Starts. Slow starts have been killer for UH going back to last season. For whatever reason, the UH offense comes out sluggish, and the defense has not been any better. Is it motivation? Preparation? The opening script?

UH has been outscored 63-17 in the first quarter of their five losses, but it’s 24-24 in the three wins.

In five losses, Houston Football has been down by (at least) 21 each time. In those games, from the opening kickoff until UH went down by 21 (23 vs. TCU), the Coogs have:

• run 167 plays;
• for 718 yards (4.29 per);
• scored four touchdowns;
• kicked two field goals;
• missed three field goals;
• had 14 punts;
• lost possession on downs four times;
• thrown two INT; and
• been outscored 148-41.

In that same period, opponents have:

• run 226 plays;
• for 1569 yards (6.94 per);
• scored 18 touchdowns;
• kicked three field goals;
• missed two field goals;
• had 7 punts;
• thrown an INT and fumbled; and
• outscored UH 148-41.

To get to their first three scores in the game (5 games, 3 scores so 15 drives minimum), those five teams have taken just 20 total drives. Rice and Tech scored on their first three drives, and Texas and KState have taken four drives to score three times. If Baylor goes down and scores to start the game, it might be time to check out that Dr. Pepper Museum.
 

Not for nothing, but UH has won four coin tosses and deferred in 2023. Opponents have gone down and scored a touchdown all four times. UH lost all four of those games (Rice, TCU, Texas, KState).
 

The last three games are alarming in time of possession in the first quarter. By itself, TOP means little, but within the context of what’s happening, it’s significant.

WVU, Texas, and Kansas State have controlled the ball 33:56 of a possible 45 minutes in the first quarter (76% of the time). The fact that the scores were 28-10 combined is seemingly remarkable (UT and KState were in the middle of drives that would result in 14 more points. So effectively, 42-10).
 

Corner Responsibilities. In our interview with Isaiah Hamilton this week, I asked him to talk to me about the responsibilities of being a corner. He gave a pretty great answer. Check it out.

Meow! Join us after the Baylor game for the Cougar After Thoughts Show! (CATS!). It’s fun, relaxed, and a little weird. We’ll talk the Baylor game, Dana’s comments, and maybe some MBB and Kelvin Sampson.

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