Marcus Jones
FILE - Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. A Buckeyes attack that led the nation with 561 yards and nearly 46 points per game returns quarterback C.J. Stroud, leading receiver Smith-Njigba, 1,200-yard rusher TreVeyon Henderson and an experienced offensive line anchored by 6-foot-8, 360-pound right tackle Dawand Jones. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Pouring caution on that optimism

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 16, 2022 03:02 AM EDT

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin paces the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Houston aiming for 12th win; Auburn seeking to stop skid

By John Zenor Dec. 27, 2021 06:03 PM EST

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 21 Houston meets slumping Auburn in Birmingham Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2021 01:50 PM EST

Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) carries the ball up field during the first half an NCAA college football game against TCU, Nov. 26, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
2021 AP All-America Team, List

Dec. 13, 2021 12:13 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
AP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2021 12:02 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 3 Cincinnati claims AAC crown, possible playoff spot

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 04, 2021 07:38 PM EST

Houston quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws a pass as Memphis defensive lineman Morris Joseph (10) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
AAC title on line as No. 3 Cincinnati hosts No. 16 Houston

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 04:18 PM EST

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) is lifted into the air by running back Zamir White (3) and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer (54) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Places change but teams remain same

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 22, 2021 03:44 AM EST

Houston quarterback Clayton Tune (3) throws a pass as Memphis defensive lineman Morris Joseph (10) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Tune has TDs passing, rushing, No. 17 Houston beats Memphis

Nov. 20, 2021 01:05 AM EST

Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell, right, celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Clayton Tune during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Memphis at Houston 11/19/2021

Nov. 19, 2021 10:39 PM EST

Houston quarterback Clayton Tune (3) looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Houston runs over Temple, secures AAC title game berth

By Kevin Cooney Nov. 13, 2021 03:41 PM EST

Houston tight end Christian Trahan (85) runs with the ball as he gets past Temple safety M.J. Griffin (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Houston at Temple 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:49 PM EST

SMU wide receiver Danny Gray (5) is tackled by Houston cornerback Marcus Jones (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
NFL Prospect Watch: Return star Marcus Jones of Houston

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2021 02:36 PM EST

Houston's quarterback Clayton Tune throws a pass against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Tune passes for 385 yards, No. 20 Houston tops USF 54-42

By Mark Didtler Nov. 06, 2021 11:36 PM EDT

No. 20 Houston seeking 8th straight win at South Florida

By The Associated Press Nov. 04, 2021 05:17 PM EDT
No. 20 Houston (7-1) at South Florida (2-6), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT (ESPNU). Line: Houston by 13 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. ...

The Houston bench reacts to a flag on Houston during the second half of an NCAA college football game against SMU Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Finally back in Top 25, No. 20 Houston working to stay there

By Fred Goodall Nov. 04, 2021 11:17 AM EDT

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) is taken down by Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) and linebacker Adam Anderson (19) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: CFP preview unlikely for Cincinnati

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 01, 2021 01:34 AM EDT

SMU's Bryan Massey (0) returns a kick against Houston during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
STAT WATCH: Houston, SMU combine for 2 of 4 100-yard returns

By Eric Olson Nov. 01, 2021 01:25 AM EDT

Houston quarterback Clayton Tune (3) runs the ball against SMU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Jones returns kickoff 100 yards to lift Houston past SMU

Oct. 30, 2021 11:03 PM EDT