Rule number one – don't overreact to Week One.

However, for a team that prided itself on losing just one starter to the Transfer Portal, Sam Houston looked like a completely different program than last year in a 34-14 throttling of Rice. The Bearkats were better than their 3–9 record after losing five games on five plays. With Hunter Watson's electric debut at quarterback and a salty showing from new defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity, should expectations be reframed in Huntsville from chasing bowl eligibility to a Conference USA Championship?

This Sam Houston team has a couple of parallels to last year's New Mexico State program, which surprisingly made the Conference USA Championship Game. Both were selected fifth in the preseason poll. Both are led by quarterbacks with a JUCO past. And both showed drastic improvement on the defensive side.

The jury is still out, but here's why fans should be optimistic for 2024.

This is your team, my dear Watson

From the outside, Hunter Watson seemed like the third leg in an offseason quarterback competition. Grant Gunnell started games for Sam Houston last season, and Central Michigan transfer Jase Bauer got FBS experience at Central Michigan.

But throughout spring practice and fall camp, Watson had the intangible 'It Factor', which allowed Sam Houston head coach KC Keeler to trust him with the reins. Watson led Iowa Western Community College to an NJCAA national championship in 2023.

Watson completed 16-of-27 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns and led the Bearkats on the ground with 57 yards. Watson benefitted from a bevy of wide receivers who missed most of the 2023 season for Sam Houston. Qua'Vez Humphreys displayed a deep threat ability the Bearkats lacked, with three catches for 93 yards and a score. Ife Adeyi, one of the fastest receivers in college football, had a triumphant return with five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Watson's dual-threat ability is a significant change at the signal-caller spot, and it's a requirement for the offense. After surrendering seven sacks, Sam Houston's offensive line is still a work in progress. Watson's athleticism can mask some of the deficiencies up front.

Skyler Cassity's coming out party

Sam Houston's defense was solid in 2023, but Keeler wanted to simplify the scheme to increase pressure and limit coverage busts in 2024. The Bearkats did both in Cassity's first game as defensive coordinator.

The Bearkats were second-to-last in Conference USA with 17 sacks last season. While they only had two Saturday, the eight tackles for loss was a positive sign. Sam Houston forced Rice quarterback EJ Warner into two interceptions. Sam Houston also allowed just 274 yards after surrendering 314 per game last year.

Cassity's 4-2-5 scheme will be tested next week against Gus Malzahn's UCF offense, but Saturday was a promising sign against a double-digit favorite in Rice.