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In years to come, an unblemished record may put the Houston Cougars on a path to the Bowl Championship Series. For now, all the Cougars can do is focus on each opponent and hope the nation takes notice.
While reports swirl that Houston will join the Big East, the No. 21 Cougars (6-0, 2-0 Conference USA) are looking ahead to nothing more than Saturday's game against Marshall (3-4, 2-1). Houston coach Kevin Sumlin talked to his players this week about handling the extra attention that comes with the ranking.
''Our guys understand where they are,'' Sumlin said. ''I get the sense from our team and our coaches that our guys are flattered by it, but not impressed, and I think they still feel like there are a lot of things out there for them to accomplish.
''We are at the midway point of our season,'' he said. ''We tell them that they have 12 guaranteed opportunities to play, and you earn the right for 13 and 14. Our guys are very focused on the fact that we are still trying to earn 14 football games.''
Besides vying for a Conference USA championship, the Cougars want to help quarterback Case Keenum's pursuit of history. The senior, granted a sixth year of eligibility after tearing a ligament in his right knee early last season, is closing in on several NCAA career records, and the first one is within reach on Saturday.
Keenum needs 130 yards to become the NCAA's career leader in total offense, eclipsing the record (16,910) set by Hawaii's Tim Chang from 2000-04. He's also on pace to set records for passing yards and touchdown throws later in the season.
Keenum leads the nation in total offense (388.8 yards per game) and ranks sixth in pass efficiency, statistics that could warrant attention for Heisman Trophy voters if he can keep it up.
It helps that Houston employs an up-tempo system that leads the nation in total offense (604 yards per game) and passing yards (435.5 per game). Keenum sees his individual records as team marks anyway - after all, somebody's protected him and caught all the passes he's thrown over the years.
''It's been over 30 receivers that I completed passes to and over 20 of those guys have caught touchdown passes,'' Keenum said. ''A lot of those are yards after catch. There are a bunch of fast guys around. It's also the guys who block for me.
''It's not a single-person award,'' Keenum said. ''It is a team deal. That's what's really cool about this sport.''
Marshall, meanwhile, is still trying to settle on who should be its permanent quarterback.
Sophomore A.J. Graham made his first career start against Rice last week, completing 12 of 23 passes for 110 yards with an interception. Graham also rushed for 129 yards in place of freshman Rakeem Cato, who started the first six games.
Marshall coach Doc Holliday said both quarterbacks could play in Houston.
''Both of those kids bring a lot of positives to this football team,'' Holliday said. ''As a staff, we have to take advantage to what both of those kids can do.''
The Cougars will also keep a close eye on Vinny Curry, one of the nation's top defensive ends. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound Curry was the league's defensive player of the week after recording nine tackles, including 3 1/2 sacks, and forcing a fumble in Marshall's 24-20 win over Rice.
''He is a very talented player up front and a high-motor guy,'' Keenum said. ''Our offensive line does a great job getting in the right blocking schemes. I have faith in those guys and I'm going to trust them. He's a good player, but we have good players, too.''
Keeping the ball away from Keenum and the Cougars may offer Marshall the best chance for victory. The Cougars are 17-3 at home in Sumlin's four seasons, and have put up at least 40 points in 14 of those victories.
Keenum has won 18 consecutive starts at Robertson Stadium, and thrown 60 touchdowns with only nine interceptions over that span.
The Cougars will wear throwback uniforms from the 1960s and `70s, when Bill Yeoman guided Houston to 10 Top 25 finishes in 25 seasons. With the Big East buzz coupled with the current team's rise and Keenum's quest for the records, Sumlin is hoping that the current Cougars are building a winning tradition, too.
''There's a lot of excitement around our football program right now,'' Sumlin said.
