Sam Houston’s first season in the FBS in 2023 wasn’t great. But the Bearkats were drastically better last year.
Sam Houston ended up going 10-3 overall in 2024 with a 6-2 mark in Conference USA play. The Bearkats even had a chance of appearing in the CUSA title game until late November.
Sam Houston ended the year with its first victory in a bowl game, a 31-26 win over Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl.
But longtime head coach KC Keeler is now at Temple, and Phil Longo has taken over for the Bearkats. Will Sam Houston manage to keep winning following this coaching change?
Sam Houston’s Conference USA Title Betting Odds
Sam Houston’s odds to win Conference USA are +1600, via BetMGM, and the team’s odds of making it to the CUSA title game are +500.
The Bearkats’ betting odds of making the College Football Playoff are +8000.
Sam Houston Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Sam Houston’s win total Over/Under is 4.5, with Under 4.5 at +100 and Over 4.5 at -120.
Sam Houston Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 23 @ Western Kentucky
Aug. 29 vs. UNLV
Sept. 6 @ Hawaii
Sept. 20 @ Texas
Oct. 2 @ New Mexico State
Oct. 9 vs. Jacksonville State
Oct. 15 vs. UTEP
Oct. 31 @ Louisiana Tech
Nov. 8 @ Oregon State
Nov. 15 vs. Delaware
Nov. 22 @ Middle Tennessee
Nov. 29 vs. FIU
Dec. 5 Conference USA Championship
Bold indicates CUSA contests
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Key Sam Houston Football Returners
2024 All-Conference USA 2nd Team
OL James Dawn II
Sam Houston Football Enters New Era
For the first time in over 10 years, Sam Houston will have a new head coach. But the Bearkats will have a familiar face at quarterback.
Hunter Watson returns for Sam Houston after throwing for 1,811 yards, 12 touchdowns, and eight interceptions on a 62.4% completion rate in 2024. He was also second on the team with 647 rushing yards to go with a team-best nine touchdowns on the ground.
However, no other player who ran for more than 30 yards is back. Sam Houston’s top three receivers from last year are also gone.
Qua’Vez Humphreys is the team’s leading returning rusher (21 yards) and receiver (20 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns). Michael Phoenix II also returns after hauling in 15 passes for 219 yards and three scores.
James Dawn II will be one of the leaders on Sam Houston’s offensive line after he made the All-Conference USA second team. Left tackle Luke Eckardt and guard Rhett Larson also return with a good amount of starting experience.
But Sam Houston has to replace its entire starting defense from its bowl game last year. CJ Johnson is among the team’s leading returners after totaling 16 tackles, one for loss, as well as two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 2024. The Bearkats hope some of their newcomers, like West Virginia transfer defensive lineman Zeiqui Lawton, can step up and play key roles.
Sam Houston Football Season Prediction
I predict Sam Houston won’t win the Conference USA Championship but will go Over 4.5 wins.
In fact, I could see Sam Houston winning six games and getting back to a bowl game this year. Sure, losing longtime head coach KC Keeler makes things tougher for this program, but I think new head coach Phil Longo can keep the energy high around this team.
Sam Houston may have a tough start, though. I expect Western Kentucky will beat Sam Houston to begin the year, and I also see the Bearkats losing to UNLV, Texas, and Oregon State later in the season. But I can see Sam Houston pulling off six wins in CUSA play. UTEP could be a tough opponent this year, and maybe Jacksonville State remains competitive through its coaching change or a trip to Louisiana Tech results in a loss, but I still think the Bearkats will be competitive there as well.
Either way, I absolutely expect Sam Houston to win at least five games in 2025.
