2021 ushered in exactly what Houston Cougars fans spent more than half a decade waiting for.
Houston finished with a 12-2 record and fielded one of its most accomplished teams in program history. The Cougars shook off a Week 1 defeat and subsequently won 11 consecutive games while sporting an unblemished record in AAC play. They punched a ticket to the AAC Championship Game for the first time in six years before bowing out to College Football Playoff participant Cincinnati in 35-20 fashion.
After falling short at Nippert Stadium, Houston responded with another statement, just like it did after the opening loss.