Two things can be true - Sam Houston was a 3–9 football team that lost eight-straight games to open their first FBS season; Sam Houston also lost five games on five plays. The Bearkats are by and large the same roster in 2024, a testament to the culture they've created. But head coach KC Keeler has spent the offseason reexamining the film room, weight room and practice field so a similar team can take new strides. 

New defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity is tasked with getting the Bearkats defense to play faster by keeping the scheme simple. Keeler pushed spring football back the farthest it's ever been so football strength coach Kevin Schadt, hired from UTEP, could work with the team over eight weeks to physically mature. The Bearkats believe those changes can result in a bowl berth.

Sam Houston Bearkats

2023 record: 3–9
2024 record prediction: 5–7

Biggest Game – vs. Liberty on Nov. 30

Last year Sam Houston jumped into FBS football like a Polar Plunge, facing two Big 12 teams on the road and the top two teams in Conference USA within the first five weeks. The 2024 schedule is flipped so the Bearkats close the season with conference powers Jacksonville State and Liberty. Theoretically, Sam Houston should be playing its best football by the season's final game, and they'll need a near perfect effort to upset Liberty. The Flames' ninth-ranked scoring offense returns quarterback Kaidon Salter and 1,400-yard rusher Quinton Cooley. Sam Houston could enter this game with a win-and-in bowl scenario.

Trap Game – at Kennesaw State on Nov. 16

Since Conference USA plays all October games in the middle of the week and Sam Houston has a bye the first weekend of Novemeber, the Bearkats have 18 days off between the Oct. 29 clash with Louisiana Tech and Nov. 16's battle with Kennesaw State. Prepare to jump to conclusions on the never ending rest vs. rust debate. Sam Houston could also overlook the Owls, an FBS newcomer who finished 3–6 last year, while preparing for the closing back-to-back of Jacksonville State and Liberty. 

Potential Upset  – vs. Texas State on Sept. 28

Texas State is an offseason dark horse to win the Sun Belt Conference after adding reigning conference player of the year Jordan McCloud and retaining dynamic running back Ismail Mahdi and wide receiver Joey Hobert. But Bobcats' defense surrendered 32.8 points per game has a new coordinator in Dexter McCoil Sr. Texas State has back-to-back home games against UTSA and Arizona State, both emotional highs, then a bye week to recuperate before playing Sam Houston at NRG Stadium. The Bearkats could catch them sleepwalking before the Sun Belt opener the following weekend.

Full Schedule

Aug. 31 at Rice
Sept. 7 at UCF
Sept. 14 vs Hawaii
Sept. 21 vs New Mexico State
Sept. 28 vs. Texas State
Oct. 3 at UTEP
Oct. 16 vs WKU
Oct. 22 at FIU
Oct. 29 vs Louisiana Tech
Nov. 16 at Kennesaw State
Nov. 23 at Jacksonville State
Nov. 30 vs Liberty