Texans Sure Know How to Disappoint

The Houston Texans are an amazing football team. They are one of the most talented partial game teams in the NFL. At times they look like they are not only playoff contenders, but contenders to win a Super Bowl. Then, for the rest of the game they look like one of the worst teams in the league.

So who are these guys and why can't they play well more consistently? Many fans are blaming the coaches for what their players are doing. If the season winds up as it is heading it will primarily be the coaches that pay the price.

One thing for sure though. They ARE an interesting team to watch. Over the last few weeks they have been predictable however and the predictions have been negative.

LET'S THINK POSITIVE

The Houston Cougars football team provide us a reason to be more positive. They will play in the C-USA championship game next weekend. That's good. What is bad is they will have to play at East Carolina where it will not be easy to win. It was very easy to win over Rice on Saturday which was unfortunate. The Owls fell off a cliff after last season's bowl team--which included a win over the Cougars. Houston didn't even use Case Keenum very long on Saturday and still scored 73 points against the Owls.

The hope around here is that Rice bounces back in 2010 and the Cougars have no fall off and continue to build.

ROCKETS DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO

The Rockets lost a couple of home games last week to Dallas and San Antonio. With the current Rocket team that was not really either bad or unexpected. What they did in their next game was most significant. They won at Oklahoma City. If the Rockets are going to have a plus .500 season with a shot at making the playoffs teams like the Thunder are who they have to keep beating. If they lose some games to teams with better talent like the Mavericks and Spurs so be it. But they HAVE to beat teams on their own level or below--like the Thunder--whether it is a home game or not. So far the Rockets have done a good job in doing that.

COLLEGE HOOPS

Both Rice and Houston have opened well in non conference basketball action. Teams from the region like Baylor, Texas A&M and Texas have done better than well. Houston was effective in most of their games in Alaska. Rice, although being bounced by Texas at home on Sunday, has a nice early record. The Longhorns who figure to be a power in the Big12 have been showing the time and years invested in Houston area high school star Dexter Pittman has paid off. Baylor which was not picked to finish in the top half of the B12 this season has been far more impressive than that pick and A&M, although smaller than in past year, has been hanging with and beating some of the big boys in the national polls.

The opening FSN-SW/Houston produced game is set for next Friday from College Station when Texas A&M hosts Akron. The Zips for the Mid American Conference are one of the pre-season picks to win in that league. I will get back in the play by play chair with veteran Jim Haller doing the analysis. Check your local cable or satellite schedule, but the game will be available on most of our network affiliates at 7pm on Friday.