With Houston’s Red & White spring game only days away (2 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at TDECU Stadium), here are five things to look out for while you watch:
1. Backup quarterbacks
Last year Houston lost a single game, to UConn, when QB Greg Ward Jr. was out with an injury (sorry to bring it up Houston fans). With highly-touted Texas A&M transfer Kyle Allen sitting out a year after transferring, can backup quarterbacks Kyle Postma and Bowman Sells carry the team? In two scrimmages this spring, Postma has 31 completions for 362 yards and two touchdowns, while Sellis is 8-12 for 52 yards and 1 INT. How will they handle a game day-like situation? It will be interesting to see.
2. Running Back
Duke Catalon looks to have secured the role of starter. Catalon, at 210 pounds, makes a nice complement to Greg Ward Jr., who led the team in rushing last year (1,108 yards). Watch to see how often RB Josh Burrell is substituted in as a change-up back, especially in goal line situations. In two scrimmages this spring, Burrell has run the ball 23 times for 63 yards and one touchdown.
3. Offensive line
While there are still several questions along the line, certain positions appear to be falling into place. OL Will Noble, who replaced the injured Colton Freeman at center before earning several freshman All-American awards, is a lock at that position. With Freeman’s retirement, there are five remaining linemen with starting experience along with JUCO players Alex Fontana and Na’ty Rogers. Where will the remaining players line up? Will the Cougars end up with a line averaging over 300 pounds across the board?
4. Defense
Houston ranked No. 53 in total defense last season and looks to improve on that number in 2016. The defensive line looks stacked and incoming freshman DL Ed Oliver might play immediately. Despite losing LB Elandon Roberts, the linebacking corps also looks solid. LB Tyus Bowser is having an outstanding spring. Pay close attention to the defensive secondary. Corner Brandon Wilson is a lock, but all the other positions are up in the air. They can only improve upon last year’s 116th-ranked passing defense.
5. Team energy
After such a spectacular 2015 campaign, how will the team handle the growing target on its back? Houston will most certainly begin the season ranked in the top 25, if not the top 15. There is little time to settle into the roll as favorites as the season starts with a bang. Team energy may be somewhat cliche to write about, but it is vital for the team to not rest on its laurels. The team has had an energetic spring up to this point. Will they be fired up and ready to go for the Red & White game? Maintaining a high energy in the spring gives the team, and the fans, cause for excitement in the fall.
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