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American Athletic Conference: Post-spring 2017 power rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive tackle Ed Oliver (10) attempts to make a tackle on Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive tackle Ed Oliver (10) attempts to make a tackle on Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Before last season, Houston had been among the top 10 teams in the country in intercepting opponents’ passes. Last year the Cougars managed just seven picks in 13 games, as their early push for a College Football Playoff spot was thwarted by several conference defeats. In those losses, the Cougars did not manage to grab a single interception.

If the spring game is any indication, the defense should be just fine. The Cougars secondary picked off three passes in the game and did not allow either quarterback to throw a TD pass. Though new head coach Major Applewhite was without injured Kyle Postma for the spring game, the quarterback situation nevertheless looks shaky after Greg Ward Jr. graduated.

Related Story: The legacy of Greg Ward Jr. at Houston

Houston’s defense should be good, but the team risks becoming more one-dimensional and less consistent on offense. The Cougars have been the American team on the national radar most frequently over the past three years, but they are probably going to fall back in the conference race this season. Not even Tom Herman, now at Texas, could have done much to stem the inevitable regression for which this team is due.

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