Football Sports

Cougars enter top 10 in latest AP poll

WEB-Justin-Tijerina-IMG_0475

After throwing for 321 yards and helping to defeat the University of Oklahoma, senior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and the Cougars have earned the No. 6 spot in the country. | Photo by Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar

For the first time this season, UH is ranked among the top-10 teams in the nation after their 10-point victory over then-No. 3 University of Oklahoma.

“It’s an exciting day for the University of Houston, and today’s rankings are the reflection of all the hard work our football program has put in over the offseason,” Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Hunter Yurachek said in a press release Tuesday.

In the latest Associated Press poll, which was released Tuesday, the Cougars jumped to No. 6 after opening the season at No. 15.

Following the announcement, the Cougars are now the highest-ranked team in Texas. The next closest team is the University of Texas Longhorns, who comes in at No. 11 following their upset of formerly 10th-ranked Notre Dame University.

There are five Texas schools in total that grabbed a top-25 ranking. No. 15 Texas Christian University, No. 20 Texas A&M University and No. 23 Baylor University join UH and UT in the top 25.

Dating back to last season, the Cougars have now won four straight games, and all four wins were against top-25 opponents. Under head coach Tom Herman, UH is 5-0 against top-25 teams.

The five teams ahead of the Cougars are the University of Alabama, Clemson University, Florida State University, Ohio State University and the University of Michigan respectively.

The Cougars will play an unranked opponent for the first time since Nov. 21, 2015 when they host Lamar University in UH’s home opener on Saturday at TDECU Stadium.

The Cougars will then have a short week before heading to Ohio to take on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in their first American Athletic Conference game on Sept. 15.

As of now, the Cougars only have one ranked opponent left on the schedule, the University of Louisville Cardinals, who is ranked 13th in the latest poll.

Regardless of where they are ranked during the rest of the season, the Cougars will continue to focus on their preseason goal of winning the conference championship.

“Coach Herman pushes our players to compete for championships and the rankings are a byproduct of it,” Yurachek said. “Our goal is to remain in the upper echelon of the rankings throughout the season as we strive to reach our goal of winning the American Championship.”

[email protected]

Leave a Comment