That is a good question and one I cannot answer. UH had the # 1 total defense in C-USA last year...that is a fact. I don't know where that put UH nationally. http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2007-2008/confldrs.html I think anything short of competing for the conference title would be a disappointment. The cupboard is not bare.
UH's defense SUCKED last year. Our DBs blew HARD and we barely got any sort of pressure on the QB, outside of Hunt.
Yet, apparently it was ConfUSA's best, unless someone misspoke on this thread. I have to think they did, given your in-depth observation.
I tried to input that wimpy little WINK icon to let you know I wasn't giving you grief. Looks like I mucked that up. I'll go look up the stats and see what gives on this one.