Houston battled through an unconventional season to go 3-5 last year as the Cougars look to return to the form that produced winning seasons from 2013-18.
Houston returns 18 starters from last year and expects to see a number of impact transfers in the lineup in 2021. The Cougars do not face Cincinnati or UCF — the top two teams in The American’s preseason media poll.
The top player is CB Marcus Jones, who earned All-America status as a return specialist last season and had four interceptions. QB Clayton Tune enters his third year as a starter and completed 170 of 285 passes for 2,048 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.