Sam Houston was forced to hit the reset button after an impressive 10-win campaign last year in just the program’s second season in the FBS. The Bearkats were one win away from the Conference USA championship game but lost longtime head coach K.C. Keeler to Temple after the season. 

Former offensive coordinator Phil Longo was hired as a replacement, but not until most of his team was in the transfer portal. Making matters more difficult, Bowers Stadium is under construction in a fitting bit of irony, as the rebuilding Bearkats will play at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston during 2025. 

Repeating the 10 wins seems impossible. Reaching a bowl game feels optimistic. The roster turnover, the lack of a home venue, and a tough 2025 schedule stands in the way of optimism. 

SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS 

2024 record: 10-3 

Overview

No team in Conference USA will rack up more mileage than the Bearkats. They start the season with a road trip to Western Kentucky in the first of four road trips by Oct. 2. The others are to Hawaii, Texas, and New Mexico State. Later in the year, Sam Houston plays at Oregon State. Yikes. Even the home game involves travel because of construction at Bowers. The drive to Shell Energy Stadium is 71 miles through the teeth of Houston traffic, which isn’t fun, even on Saturdays. 

Biggest Game – Oct. 15 vs. UTEP 

Programs are judged by their accomplishments and what their closest neighbors accomplish. UTEP and Sam Houston need successful years to build momentum for the future (UTEP for the Mountain West move, Sam Houston for a renovated Bowers Stadium). The Bearkats, in Year 1 of Phil Longo, beating UTEP, in Year 2 of Scotty Walden, would point to Sam Houston already gaining on their fellow Texas team in the rebuild process.

Trap Game – Nov. 15 vs. Delaware 

This one’s personal for Delaware head coach Ryan Carty, who was the offensive coordinator at Sam Houston from 2018-21. That extra motivation, combined with Delaware being in its first season as an FBS program, puts the Bearkats on upset watch. Plus, if the season has gone astray by this point, have the Bearkats lost confidence?

Upset Bid – Aug. 23 at Western Kentucky 

Things get weird in Week 1 but go haywire in Week Zero. Western Kentucky must prepare for this game by watching film of Phil Longo and Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay’s schemes at different schools. They won’t know how those schemes fit with the Sam Houston players until the game kicks off.

Can’t Lose – Nov. 29 vs. FIU 

FIU has only won a total of six conference games over the last three seasons and ending what could be a tough season with a loss to a bottom-dwelling conference foe at home would be devastating for off-field momentum. Ending the season on a high note with a win could catapult the Bearkats into a prosperous Year 2 under Longo. 

Most Important Stretch – Last three games 

No matter how tough the start of the season goes, Sam Houston could win the last three games considering two are home games against FIU and Delaware and the other is a trip to Middle Tennessee. FIU and MTSU were a combined 5-11 in CUSA play last season and Delaware is a first-year FBS program. Finishing on a winning streak is crucial for off-field momentum. 

FULL SCHEDULE 

Aug. 23                 at Western Kentucky 
Aug. 29                 UNLV
Sept. 6                  at Hawaii
Sept. 20               at Texas
Oct. 2                     at New Mexico 
Oct. 9                     Jax State 
Oct. 15                 UTEP
Oct. 31                 at La Tech
Nov. 8                    at Oregon State
Nov. 15                 Delaware
Nov. 22                 at Middle Tennessee State 
Nov. 29                 FIU