The Houston Cougars are getting lots of love this offseason, and much of it stems from their accomplishments on the field in 2015. Athlon Sports has even declared them “the new Boise State.” Unlike Boise State though, which has been playing FBS football for less than 20 years, Houston football has a much longer tradition.
Where does Houston’s 2015 season stand among its all-time great years? Was it the best season in school history?
Perhaps surprisingly to some, ranking Houston’s top five seasons was not an easy task. The Coogs have finished the season with a national ranking 17 times in their history, with seven consensus All-Americans, and six major postseason awards (none last year). Despite years of success, they have never had an undefeated season, leaving no clear-cut no. 1 choice.
5. 2011 season
Record: 13-1 (8-0 CUSA)
Conference Championship: No (lost to Southern Mississippi 49-28)
Consensus All-Americans: 0
Individual Award Winners: Case Keenum, Sammy Baugh Award
Final Rankings: No. 18 AP, No. 14 Coaches
The pinnacle of the Kevin Sumlin era, Houston defeated UCLA to start the season and crushed Penn State in the Cotton Bowl, but lost to Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA Championship. At the height of their winning streak they were ranked as high as No. 6 in the Coaches, Harris, and BCS polls, but finished much lower after the loss.
4. 1989 season
Record: 9-2 (6-2 Southwest)
Conference Championship: No (tied for second)
Consensus All-Americans: 1 (Andre Ware)
Individual Award Winners: Andre Ware, Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien Award
Final Rankings: No. 14 AP, N/A Coaches
I went back and forth between this season and the 1973 team that posted an 11-1 record as an Independent. Andre Ware’s 4,299 passing yards and 44 touchdowns convinced me. Under sanction from the NCAA, the 1989 team was not able to participate in a bowl, and finished the season ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll. Despite the ban from national television, Ware was dazzling enough to still win two individual awards including the Heisman Trophy.
3. 1979 season
Record: 11-1 (7-1 Southwest)
Conference Championship: Co-champs with Arkansas
Consensus All-Americans: 0
Individual Award Winners: None
Final Rankings: No. 5 AP, No. 5 Coaches
Only a loss to No. 8 Texas at home kept the Cougars from an undefeated season. Houston defeated three ranked teams this year, including No. 7 Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl. Houston also beat UCLA, Florida, Baylor, TCU and Rice, the latter in a 63-0 beatdown.
2. 2015 season
Record: 13-1 (7-1 American)
Conference Championship: Yes
Consensus All-Americans: 0
Individual Award Winners: None
Final Rankings: No. 8 AP, No. 8 Coaches
Houston defeated four ranked teams this past season, including No. 9 Florida State in the Peach Bowl as the highest-ranked team from the Group of Five. Only an unfortunate road loss to UConn kept Houston from its first undefeated season in history.
1. 1976 season
Record: 10-2 (7-1 Southwest)
Conference Championship: Co-champs with Texas Tech
Consensus All-Americans: 1 (Wilson Whitley)
Individual Award Winners: Wilson Whitley, Lombardi Award
Final Rankings: No. 4 AP, No. 4 Coaches
Similar to the 2015 season, Houston defeated four ranked teams in 1976, including No. 4 Maryland in the Cotton Bowl. The best part of the season though, crushing No. 20 Texas 30-0 in front of its home crowd.
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