6. Memphis 2-10
They move to the Big East Next year. They don't play an SEC team for the 1st time since 1948. JUstin Fuente the new coach comes from TCU. Bad in everything but were +12 in turnover ratio. Basically this is a get ready for the big east year
5. UAB 3-9
I see a 1-6 start. Coach McGee has an uphill climb. I love the new oc Jeff Brohm who was a qb in the XFL. 1st 4 games against troy,south carolina,ohio state and tulsa. Just a tough schedule
4. Marshall 5-7
It feels like Marshall lost who they were when they left the MAC. Top 4 tacklers gone. They're almost irrelevant which is sad
3. Southern Mississippi 6-6
Fedora Leaves for UNC Austin Davis to the NFL. I like Ellis Johnson and think he'll do well but i see a 1-5 start rallying for a 6-6 finish which wouldn't be bad considering what left
2. East Carolina 7-5
I think ECU could be the mid major program who could be the next Boise State. I like Coach McNeill but i wonder if he has another bad year will he survive? With UCF banned from postseason should UCF win the east the #2 team goes in their place. Tough 1st 4 games. The defense has to take another step in ppg and turnover ratio -14 LY. I lie them in C-USA going forward
1. UCF 9-3
Big east next year. This is a killer for UCF and C-USA that UCF is banned from postseason. I see losses to Ohio State,Missouri and a game in c-usa. LY of the top 10 defenses in the country 9 were bowl eligible the only 1 who wasn't?UCF. I wonder if O'Leary is gonna survive this year. So they "win" the east but ECU goes in their place
6. Rice 3-9
Only Fresno State gave up more 40 yard plays LY than Rice. 10-3 in 08 10-26 last 3 years. Houston leaving helps Rice going forward
5. UTEP 4-8
I wonder what it'll take to get Mike Price fired? I might be optimistic about UTEP. I just don't see much good for the Miners
4. Tulane 5-7
I'm probably optimistic here as well. I think they need to get an on campus stadium. Top4 tacklers and pass catchers back. Defense has to egt a lot better but i see a nice 1st year for Curtis Johnson
3. Houston 7-5
They move to the Big East next year. 23 games in a row where they've scored 20 or more pts Lost top 2 qbs. Lose Edwards Sumlin goes to A&M. How they finish depends on David Piland and how he plays but i see a step back and 7-5
2. Tulsa 8-4
I see an 8-0 start losing their final 4. LY they 5 teams they lost too won 57 games. And they beat mostly bad teams. GJ Kinne is gone but Tulsa finds ways to win all the time
1. SMU 9-3
They move to Big east next year. When June Jones was hired by AZ.State i said on covers he wouldn't last long. He lasted 5 hoursHe's back at SMU. I'm speculating but i think this is June's LY. He's never coached in a big conference plus when you see him at SMU it looks like he misses Hawaii. Garrett Gilbert will start i never liked him Texas. they only leave the state of Texas twiceThe reason i thought June wouldn't last at AZ State was you can be -16 in turnover ratio vs rice and win not against USC,Arizona,Oregon etc. tehy get Houston and Tulsa at home and they're my pick to win the west
C-USA title game SMU beats East Carolina
ECU finishes 7-6 SMU finishes 10-3
Final thoughts...
C-USA loses Houston,SMU,UCF and Memphis but add FIU,North Texas,Louisiana Tech and UTSA. Also Old Dominion and UNC-Charlotte join in football for 2015. UCF being banned from postseason hurts this league. I think in the next few years ECU will be the dominate team in this league. love watching this league love the league going forward. Conference USA on the uptick. Tomorrow i preview the Big East. Your thoughts?