COACH: Tony Levine — At Houston, 1st year
OVERALL: 1-0 (coached 2011 bowl game)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Nesbitt
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jamie Bryant
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2006
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2010
RETURNING STARTERS: 14; 5 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB David Piland, RB Charles Sims, WR Daniel Spencer, LT Jacolby Ashworth, LB Derrick Mathews, CB D.J. Hayden, K Matt Hogan, P Richie Leone
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Houston has a quality kicking game and a potential all-conference runner in Sims. Piland proved capable in this pass-happy offense two years ago. The Cougars should still have no problem putting up points against most teams.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Last year’s head coach, Kevin Sumlin, is now at Texas A&M. Record-setting QB Case Keenum and his record-setting wide receivers are gone. The defense still isn’t scaring anyone. Bottom line: There is a lot of inexperience at key spots, and it’s under new leadership.