Conference USA Predictions

I have some ideas for how Conference USA will turn out this fall. I will most likely be wrong so bookmark this page to rub it in my face and laugh at me later.

WEST DIVISION:

1. Louisiana Tech: After a disappointing 2013 season, the Bulldogs came back in 2014 to the tune of a division title and bowl berth. Louisiana Tech is led by 2nd team All-CUSA running back Kenneth Dixon (253/1,299/22TD), 2nd team All-CUSA wide receiver Trent Taylor (64/834/9TD), and honorable mention All-CUSA center Kirby Watson. Defensively, the Bulldogs return safety Xavier Woods (71 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 1 sack, 6 INT, 7 pbu, 13 pd) after an excellent 2014 season that ended with 1st team All-CUSA honors. Defensive tackle Vernon Butler (56 tkl, 13.5 tfl, 1 sack), cornerback 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr, 1 ff. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014. Adarius Barnes (46 tkl, 4 tfl, 5 INT, 9 pbu, 14 pd), and safety Kentrell Brice (86 tkl, 4 tfl, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 5 pbu, 7 pd) were honorable mention All-CUSA selections in 2014.The Bulldogs get WKU, UTEP, and RIce on the road but should still have enough to win the CUSA West. 
2. UTEP: A nice change of pace to the pass happy offenses in Conference USA, the Miners think that a division title is not out of the cards. Led by 2nd team All-CUSA running back Aaron Jones (242/1,321/11TD) and an offensive line that has four returning starters with 10+ starts last fall, the running game should be at full speed. Defenders Nick Usher (41 tkl, 5.5 tfl, 3 sacks), Roy Robertson-Harris (36 tkl, 9.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks), Alvin Jones (55 tkl. 9 tfl, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT), and Devin Cockrell (52 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 sacks, 1 INT) should make for a talented defense. UTEP gets Rice and Louisiana Tech at home and miss out on WKU, MTSU, and Marshall from the East Division.
3. Rice: The Owls feel like this season they can make a push at Louisiana Tech for the CUSA West Division with quarterback Driphus Jackson (191-331/2,842/24TD), running back Jowan Davis (245/956/6TD), and honorable mention All-CUSA guard Andrew Reue all back for the upcoming season. Linebackers Alex Lyons (71 tkl, 5 tfl, 3 sacks) and Nick Elder (40 tkl) must lead a defense that has more than a few holes to fill in 2015. Getting WKU and Louisiana Tech at home plus no MTSU or Marshall is a huge get for the Owls with a November 6 trip to UTEP being a big game to watch.
4. Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles have gone transfer happy in bringing in many JUCO, FCS, and FBS transfers to bolster the lineup. The quarterback position is key to watch as either Nick Mullens (218-365/2,470/12 TD) or Tyler Matthews will take snaps behind center. Honorable mention All-CUSA members Casey Martin (55/531/2TD) at wide receiver and Cameron Tom at center will give Southern Miss needed experience. Defensive end Michael Smith (31 tkl, 0.5 tfl) leads a defensive line that includes transfers from Miami, Oklahoma, and Kanses while the linebacker corps includes Brian Anderson (65 tkl, 3 tfl) as well as a JUCO transfer and Auburn transfer. With no WKU, MTSU, or Florida Atlantic on the schedule, the Golden Eagles still have to navigate a conference slate that includes trips to Marshall, Rice, and Louisiana Tech. 
5. UTSA: Going from being one of the most experienced teams in the nation in 2014 to one of the least experienced in 2015, the Roadrunners hope that new blood will make them better this fall. Tight end David Morgan II (20/255/1TD), an honorable mention All-CUSA selection in 2014 and quarterback Austin Robinson (81-167/1,083/4TD) look to make a mark this fall. Linebacker Drew Douglas (71 tkl, 7 tfl, 1 sack) and defensive backs Mauricio Sanchez (46 tkl, 4 tfl, 1 INT) and Bannett Okotcha (23 tkl, 1 INT, 4 pbu, 5 pd) should be solid for the Roadrunners on defense. UTSA only has Southern Miss, North Texas, and Charlotte on the road in conference play in a very favorable schedule.
6. North Texas: The biggest question mark for the Mean Green is how to get the ball in wide receiver Carlos Harris' (70/863/3TD) hands more often. Harris was electric with the bamm and even averaged over 10 yards per carry running the ball. Quarterback Andrew McNulty (110-202/1,295/6TD) should be the signal caller heading into the season. Honorable mention All-CUSA member Chad Polk (25 tkl, 8.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks) will lead from his defensive end position while linebacker Fred Scott (54 tkl, 2.5 tfl) and cornerback Kenny Buyers (55 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 INT) should lead the second and third level of the North Texas defense. No one gave the Mean Green any sympathy in the schedule department with a final six games that includes WKU, Marshall, UTSA, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee, MTSU, and UTEP. 

EAST DIVISION:

1. Marshall: Coming off of a dream season in 2014 that came one point from undefeated, the Thundering Herd look to reload heading into the 2015 season. 1st team All-CUSA members right tackle Clint Van Horn and running back Devon Johnson (206/1,767/17TD) lead an offense that was one of the nation's best last fall. Marshall could be even better on defense than in 2014 with D.J. Hunter (80 tkl, 10 tfl, 5.5 sacks), A.J. Leggett (63 tkl, 1 tfl, 8 pd, 4 INT), Taj Letman (94 tkl, 0.5 tfl, 8 pd, 4 INT) and Corey Tindal (73 tkl, 2 tfl, 0.5 sacks, 13 pd) all making 60+ tackles last fall. 1st team All-CUSA punter Tyler Williams (44.1 avg.) will also be a weapon in the field position war. With the only real conference roadbumps being trips to MTSU and WKU, the Thundering Herd could easily go undefeated in conference play this fall. 
2. WKU: Expectations are through the roof for the Hilltoppers in 2015 with one of the most impressive offenses led by quarterback Brandon Doughty (375-552/4,830/49TD) is back. Running back Leon Allen (272/1,542/13TD) and wide receivers Taywan Taylor (45/767/7TD) and Jared Dangerfield (69/825/11TD) will give Doughty a multitude of offensive weapons this fall. Linebacker Nick Holt (111 tkl, 7 tfl, 1.5 sacks) leads a defense that was terrible in 2014 but should be much improved with the addition of two huge UAB transfers that look to be instant playmakers in 2015. WKU gets Louisiana Tech and Rice in a East-West division games but host both Marshall and MTSU in very important games. Many think WKU is a one hit wonder but if they can navigate this schedule with 10+ wins, they deserve all the praise they get. 
3. MTSU: The hardest team to fully project, the Blue Raiders come into the season with quality players on offense led by quarterback Austin Grammer (221-338/2,557/17TD), wide receiver Ed Batties (45/474/3TD), and 2nd team All-CUSA left tackle Darius Johnson. Star safety Kevin Byard (66 tkl, 3 tfl, 6 INT, 2 ff), a 1st team All-CUSA selection in 2014 and linebacker T.T. Barber (72 tkl, 7.5 tfl, 1 sack, 2 INT), a 2nd team All-CUSA performer in 2014, lead the Blue Raiders defense that should be good this fall. A four game stretch that includes trips to WKU and Louisiana Tech followed by a visit from Marshall will show if MTSU has what it takes to compete for a coneference title.
4. Florida Atlantic: The Owls come into the 2015 season with a bowl or bust attitude as quarterback Jaquez Johnson (182-315/2,215/17 TD) leads an offensive that returns starting offensive linemen Reggie Bain, Mikingson Marsaille, and Dillon DeBoer after all three made all 12 starts in 2014. Honorable mention All-CUSAers defensive tackle Trevon Coley (53 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 4 sacks) and cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc (71 tkl, 1 tfl, 2 INT) lead the Owl defense that should be good this fall. The Owls make or break moment in 2015 is a five week stretch that includes 2014 bowl teams Rice, Marshall, UTEP, and WKU.
5. Old Dominion: The Monarchs are a bit of an enigma with no one really knowing fully what to expect heading into the season. Running back Ray Lawry (134/947/16TD) will see more carries this fall as a new quarterback is broken in for wide receiver Zach Pascal (59/743/7TD), an honorable mention All-CUSA member in 2014. Honorable mention All-CUSA left guard Tyler Fisher will led the Monarchs in the trenches. Linebacker TJ Ricks (80 tkl, 7 tfl, 2.5 sacks) and safety Fellonte Misher (79 tkl. 2 tfl, 2 INT) will lead the Monarchs defense this fall. Old Dominion gets WKU and UTEP at home while missing out on MTSU. The scariest conference road game is an October trip to Marshall.
6. Florida International: The Golden Panthers on paper should be in the competition for a CUSA title this fall but games are not won on paper. FIU returns 1st team All-CUSA tight end Jonnu Smith (61/710/8TD), 2nd team All-CUSA defensive end Michael Wakefield (38 tkl, 14.5 tfl, 8 sacks), honorable mention All-CUSA defensive lineman Denzell Perine (40 tkl, 9.5 tfl, 6.5 sacks), Honorable mention All-CUSA linebacker Anthony Wint (48 tkl, 0.5 tfl), and 1st team All-CUSA defensive back Richard Leonard (40 tkl, 1 tfl, 5 INT, 7 pbu, 12 pd) as well as three offensive linemen that made 10+ starts last fall. It is amazing that a team with that much talent will not even make a bowl this fall.
7. Charlotte: The 49ers are coming into the 2015 season with no set expectations as they are a new program with only two seasons in the books and making the jump to the FBS level. Charlotte has some talent in quarterback Matt Johnson (1,941/13TD), running back Kalif Phillips (1,436/20TD), and wide receiver Austin Duke (79/1,373/9TD) but do not have the depth that teams on the FBS level have. Presbyterian is on the schedule so the 49ers should get at least one win on the season but any more than one would be a surprise.

CUSA Title Game: 

• Marshall versus Louisiana Tech

CUSA Champions:

• Marshall

Bowl Berths:

• The Bahamas Bowl MTSU versus MAC
• The St. Petersburg Bowl MARSHALL versus American
• The Miami Beach Bowl WKU versus American
• The Heart of Dallas Bowl LOUISIANA TECH versus Big Ten
• The New Mexico Bowl RICE versus Mountain West
• The Arizona Bowl UTEP versus Mountain West
• The New Orleans Bowl SOUTHERN MISS versus Sun Belt