Round table: Expectations for the Cougars in the conference championship

In this week’s round table, The Cougar’s sports staff discusses the upcoming American Athletic Conference Championship game against Temple University.

Were you surprised with the outcome of the game against the United States Naval Academy?

Staff writer J.D. Smith: Not surprised, no. The team had the ability to blow out Navy, it was a only a question of how they would respond following the loss to UConn. The defense’s ability to force Navy to throw and the Cougars’ use of converted-cornerback Brandon Wilson out of the backfield paid huge dividends in the outcome of the game.

Staff writer Adam Coleman: I expected UH to win, but I didn’t expect them to be as dominant. Seeing what Navy did to Memphis and with quarterback Keenan Reynolds setting records, it was a pleasant surprise that the defense was able to quiet that high powered offense. We knew with Greg Ward Jr. returning and UH dropping the ball against UConn that they would be highly motivated, and it showed out there on the field. That loss could have been the best thing that happened to the Cougars this year.

How do you think the Cougars match up with Temple University?

AC: I expect to see the same team that took the field Saturday. UH matches up very well against Temple and that home field advantage at TDECU stadium is only going to help.  The loss to UConn was a wake-up call and the Cougars will be ready for the big stage.

Sports editor Bryce Dodds: It’s hard for me to call in this game because Temple plays with such a consistent style. Their only two losses came against a really good University of Notre Dame team and a hot University of South Florida team. Their defense, led by linebacker Tyler Matakevich, is fierce and will be a tough test for the Cougars offense.

Predict the outcome of the conference championship game.

JS: Following an impressive victory over Navy and with the roar of the 40,000 spectators at TDECU Stadium, the Cougars will win their first conference title since 2006 on the legs and arm of Greg Ward Jr. in a 42-24 victory.

BD: If the coaches can game plan as well for Temple as they did for Navy, the Cougars have this game in hand. Both the offensive and defensive plans worked really well against Navy, but head coach Tom Herman admitted they’d been working on those almost all season. Having just eight days to prepare for the East division champion could prove a tougher challenge. I still think the Cougars win, 45-31.

With all the noise surrounding Tom Herman, do you think he stays at UH after this season?

JS: Even though Herman will have his pick of the litter when it comes to coaching jobs this off-season, I believe he wants to build something at UH and will accept the higher contract the school offers and stays with the Cougars for at least the 2016 season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed longer.

AC: It’s hard to ignore all the high profile schools being linked to Tom Herman. I think he can build something special here at UH, and he knows he can. On the other hand, it’d be hard to turn down an SEC or another big time school in a Power 5 conference.

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