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I think it’s safe to say that the East Division was much better overall than the West Division in C-USA in 2007. Proof: in the regular season, the East was 13-5 against the West, with four of the losses being by Marshall and UAB, the last-place teams. League champ UCF, along with East Carolina and Memphis, went 3-0 vs. the West.
A closer look somewhat furthers this notion: six of the East’s wins were by 7 points or less. At the same time though, Marshall lost by just eight at Tulsa and just a TD at Houston, and UAB lost at Tulsa by just 8 points (30-38).
The East Division was 13-5 against the West Division of C-USA in 2007, thanks to the departed Kevin Smith and UCF, who were 4-0
The East also had four bowl teams – UCF, ECU, Memphis, and Southern Miss – to just two – Tulsa and Houston – from the West (C-USA was just 2-4 in bowl games last year). Also, UCF beat Tulsa in the C-USA Title Game.
Will this continue to this year? I will say not to the same extent – look for a more even intra-divisional record in ‘08. Here’s the East…
EAST CAROLINA
Last Year: 8-5, upset Boise State in Hawaii Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
ECU FS Van Eskridge, here returning a fumble for six at UTEP last year, leads a stout Pirates defense into the C-USA East title hunt in 2008
In 2007, ECU closed the season winning 7 of 9, and set a school-record for points in a season (403). However they were outgained by 30 yards/game in conference games, and lose speedy HB Chris Johnson and his nearly 2,000 yards of offense and 23 total TDs. Two QBs – the running threat Patrick Pinkney and pocket passer Rob Kass – alternated last year, and should do so this year as well.
At the HB position, Sr. Dominique Lindsay has plenty of experience, and So. Jonathan Williams has sub-4.4 speed and averaged nearly 7 yards/carry last year. Leading WR Jamar Bryant is back, as is So. Dwayne Harris, who had nearly 800 all-purpose yards (he returned punts too). With 4 starters back, ECU may have the best OL in the conference.
ECU was OK on defense last year, showing glimpses (the opener at Virginia Tech and first 3 quarters of the bowl game) of being really good, and they return 9 starters this year. Three top tacklers return – FS Van Eskridge and LBs Pierre Bell and Quentin Cotton. The entire DL is back, potentially the best in the league, so this should be a pretty good defense. The Pirates play a tough non-C-USA schedule – VT in Charlotte, West Virginia, at NC State and at Virginia – but get their tougher C-USA games – outside of UCF and maybe Southern Miss – at home. With possibly the best lines in the league, ECU might be the East favorite.
UCF
Last Year: 10-4, League Champs, lost in Liberty Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
‘07 C-USA Champ UCF returns their entire secondary, including SS Sha’reff Rashad, who led the Knights with 103 tackles last year
Even-numbered years have not been good for UCF so far under George O’Leary: 0-11 in 2004 and 4-8 in 2006. The Knights went 18-9 in 2005 and 2007, including last year’s C-USA Championship run, led by departed 2,500-yd, 29 TD HB Kevin Smith. They also will have a new QB, likely Jr. Mike Greco, who attempted just 45 passes last year. At HB you’ll see Jr. Phillip Smith and incoming Fr. Latavius Murray. WRs A.J. Guyton and Kamar Aiken combined for nearly 900 yards and 7 TDs as freshman last year, and leading WR Rocky Ross is back as well. Seven of the top 10 OL return.
Nine defensive starters return for the Knights, including the entire secondary – CBs Johnell Neal and Joe Burnett, SS Sha’reff Rashad, and FS Jason Venson. The 3 starters at LB from last year – Derrick Hallman, Chance Henderson, and Cory Hogue – return and the backers may be the best in the league. The top two DL are gone, though. UCF has in-state bragging right opportunities with USF and a trip to Miami on the schedule (also a trip to BC). They get ECU at home, but travel to UTEP, Tulsa, Marshall, and Memphis. Nevertheless, UCF should be bowling again and could very well defend their title.
MARSHALL
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
FS C.J. Spillman led Marshall with 131 tackles last year, leading a defense that had just a total of 4 INTs
Marshall started off 0-7 last year before salvaging the season with wins over Rice, ECU, and UAB – long gone are the days of Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich setting school records. Marshall should be better this year, however, with 17 returning starters, including 2006 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year DE Albert McClellan, who tore his ACL last summer and missed ‘07.
QB Bernard Morris is gone, but the RBs and WRs return with experience and the OL losses should be replaced with some talented JUCO and redshirt freshmen. Nine defensive starters return, including the top four tacklers, including FS C.J. Spillman and MLB Maurice Kitchens. Marshall intercepted only four passes last year (2 were by DE John Jacobs who returns). The Herd will have to win a couple tough home games against Memphis, Houston, UCF and Tulsa in conference, because a 1-3 non-conference record is very likely with games against Cincy and at Wisconsin and at West Virginia.
MEMPHIS
Last Year: 7-6, lost in New Orleans Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Memphis returns their top 7 receivers from last year, including the tall (6-foot-8), lanky Carlos Singleton
The hometown (I won’t say my) Tigers were 2-4 the middle of last year with losses to Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee before close wins over Rice and Tulane propelled Memphis into bowl eligibility with a 3OT home win over SMU. They were outscored in conference despite going 6-2. The top passer (QB Martin Hankins) and rusher (HB Joseph Doss) are gone, but the entire WR corps return. Head Coach Tommy West, entering his 8th season, has also said this year’s OL may be the best he’s had while Memphis.
Eight defensive starters return, including FS Brandon Patterson. Three DL return, so there should be improvement there, and two starting LBs return, along with 3 in the secondary. The East may very well be a four-team race, and Memphis should be a contender this year. They get UCF at home and travel to ECU, but they draw Rice, SMU, and Tulane out of the West (that’s favorable). They open up at Ole Miss, and look who’s back on the schedule again! Yes, the hated Louisville Cardinals visit Memphis October 10.
SOUTHERN MISS
Last Year: 7-6, lost to USF in bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Damion Fletcher looks for his third-straight 1,000-yd season, though Southern Miss returns just 10 starters and (inexplicably) has a new coach
Rant time: Southern Miss was just plain stupid for forcing out long-time head coach Jeff Bower. What did Bower do in Hattiesburg? He built USM into football respectability: the Golden Eagles have been to 10 bowls the last 11 years, and Bower led USM to 14 straight winning seasons. To put that into perspective, only Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Virginia Tech have that current distinction. Tough spot for new coach Larry Fedora.
To add to the change, Southern Miss has just 10 starters back. HB Damion Fletcher and leading receivers WR Torris Magee and TE Shawn Nelson return, but the OL returns just 45 career starts and the interior line must be replaced. C-USA’s Defensive Player of the Year last year MLB Gerald McRath returns (139 tackles last year), but the Eagles have to replace seven starters, including the entire D-Line. LB Tokumbo Abanikanda, who has one of the coolest names in college football in my opinion, does return too. Continuing their ambitious non-conference scheduling, USM plays at Auburn this year and host Boise State. With the losses and the new coach, don’t be surprised if that 14-year streak comes to an end in 2008.
UAB
Last Year: 2-10 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
FS Will Dunbar led UAB with 122 tackles last year and is one of 9 returning starters on defense for an extremely youthful Blazer team in ‘08
When discussing the powerful offenses in C-USA last year, remember not to include the Blazers – UAB averaged 19.6 points/game last year, and allowed 35 to add on all that. A tough first year for coach Neil Callaway, UAB has just 4 senior starters and just 7 overall seniors on the listed two-deep charts.
Dual-threat QB (Darrell Hackney, part II?) Joseph Webb saw a fair share of action last year, and he enters this year as the likely starter (Webb had 30 receptions and 3 TD catches last year too). The revolving door at HB continues: Rashaud Slaughter led in rushing last year, but moves to WR, Mississippi State transfer Brandon Thornton had 63 carries last year but was dismissed, and Aaron Johns, after failing to qualify last year, returns. Three OL starters return, two of whom started as freshmen last year.
Nine defensive starters are back for UAB. UAB was atrocious against the run last year, allowing 291 yards/game in C-USA play (257 overall). The entire DL returns, and all but one LB and one DB return, so huge improvements are expected for the Blazers defensively. Trips to Florida Atlantic, Tennessee, and South Carolina could spell trouble, as UAB is another year away from seriously contending for a bowl bid.
Having grown up in Memphis and been a lifetime Tennessee fan, I would have to say that other than the SEC, the most contact I’ve had with any other college football has been Conference USA.
First, Tennessee enjoys playing C-USA teams, seemingly every year (the Vols are 33-0 in home games against C-USA teams). Secondly, living in Memphis, obviously the Tigers are there, and I’ve had to deal with them for my whole life, though my feelings towards the football Tigers are much less hateful than the basketball Tigers. Finally, I’ve been to the Liberty Bowl every now and then, and C-USA’s champion is usually playing in that game (I saw 3 great games in 2004, 2005, and 2006).
Other than that, I don’t really have anything about Conference USA like I did/will for these other leagues. It’s not as good as the MWC, but not at the lower level of the Sun Belt – just an in-between. The league has lost some respectability, and has seemingly struggled in the non-conference the last couple of years. However the league has finally found sensible geographical balance – no more USF, Cincinnati, or Army of the older C-USA.
C-USA in 2007 was full of offense, but many of the top offensive players in the league – Tulsa QB Paul Smith and Tulane HB Matt Forte, among others – have departed
That said, it’s generally a wide-open league, and last year was not an exception. In conference games, nine teams averaged over 30 points per game (the other 3 were Marshall, Tulane, and UAB). Compare that to the SEC, where just five teams had such offenses. The two division champions, UCF and Tulsa, each averaged over 40 points per game.
However, 4 of the top 10 QBs pass efficiency-wise are gone, and 6 of the top 10 rushers are gone. Just four players of the top 10 in total offense last year return. Some of the losses: HBs Kevin Smith (UCF), Matt Forte (Tulane), Anthony Alridge (Houston), and Chris Johnson (East Carolina); QBs Paul Smith (Tulsa), Martin Hankins (Memphis), and Bernard Morris (Marshall).
Here’s a look at the West…
TULSA
Last Year: 10-4, West Champs, huge bowl win – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Tarrion Adams, along with returning 2006 leading rusher Courtney Tennial, must help Tulsa break in a new QB in Tulsa’s West Division defense
The Golden Hurricane, brought out of being awful by current Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe, have won the C-USA West two out of the last three years, but star QB Paul Smith has graduated. However, nine starters return from the NCAA’s #1 offense from last year, an up-tempo, shotgun style run by former Arkansas OC Gus Malzahn. Think Texas Tech. The QB? Either Sr. David Johnson, So. Clark Harrell, or JUCO transfer/spring enrollee Jacob Bower.
Star HB Tarrion Adams, who ran for 1,225 yards last year and scored 11 total TDs, is back, and HB Courtney Tennial, who missed 2007 due to injury, was granted a 6th year. “FB” Charles Clay had over 1,000 yards receiving and 7 TD catches last year. By a “fullback”? Two 1,000 yard, double-digit TD reception WRs – Brennan Marion and Trae Johnson – are back, with four returning OL.
Just five defensive starters are back, and the top 4 tacklers are gone. Among the best returning defenders – FS Charles Davis, LB George Clinkscale, DB Roy Roberts, and DE Moton Hopkins. Despite the QB and defense questions, Tulsa could win the West again, and win 10 games – their toughest games are trips to Houston, SMU, Marshall, and Arkansas.
UTEP
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe enters his second year as the Miners’ starter
Last year the Miners had to replace their all-time career passing leader Jordan Palmer (yes, Carson’s little brother). They couldn’t stop anybody either (giving up 6, 45, 29, 12, 45, 47, 45, 34, 56, 34, 56, and 36 points). Five offensive starters return, including QB Trevor Vittatoe (25 TDs, 7 INTs last year) and WR Jeff Moturi (13 TD catches). They must replace HB Marcus Thomas, but 3 OL return, so the HB position may be the real only question mark, along with WR depth.
As mentioned, UTEP struggled stopping people last year. Seven defenders return, but 3 of the top 5 tacklers are gone. LB Adam Vincent and SS Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith are back, and the DL, which gave up over 200 yards rushing/game last year, returns 3 starters. Head Coach Mike Price needs two LBs, but 3 secondary starters are back. With 3 winnable non-conference games (the other being a rare home game against Texas September 6), UTEP could find themselves a part of the bowl season.
HOUSTON
Last Year: 8-5, lost Texas Bowl – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Houston QB Case Keenum had 23 total TDs last year while splitting time with fellow QB Blake Joseph
Bama fans remember Houston from their near-win in Tuscaloosa last year, and Houston has been one of C-USA’s most consistent teams the past 5 years under the departed Art Briles, who’s now at Baylor (why I have no clue). The Cougs were co-West Champs last year, but Tulsa blasted them 56-7 to earn the title game berth.
Last year QBs Case Keenum and Blake Joseph split snaps, throwing for a combined 3,500+ yards and 23 TDs, and both return this year. Keenum also ran for 9 TDs last year, and Houston must find a new top RB. TE Mark Hafner is the only returning player who had double-digit catches last year, so there’s certainly a question mark. Eight of the top 10 OL return, though, so it should be interesting how Houston fares under new coach Kevin Sumlin. Under Briles, Houston was a pretty explosive offense – I know, I saw them (with Kevin Kolb) go at it with South Carolina in the ‘06 Liberty Bowl.
Seven defensive starters return, but leading tackler SS Rocky Schwartz is gone. LB Ernest Miller moves to SS alongside FS Kenneth Fontenette, and CB Brandon Brinkley returns to form a stronger secondary. The 3 starting DL return, including former Tennessee signee DE Ell Ash. The Cougars are fine at LB, so this could be a pretty solid D. Despite the coaching change, there’s enough returning for another bowl season for Houston.
SMU
Last Year: 1-11 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
SMU’s leading rusher and passer last year QB Justin Willis now will be running a June Jones offense
June Jones jumped (sinking) ship at Hawaii and is now at SMU. The Mustangs’ lone win last year was North Texas, but they lost 3 games in OT and another by a point. Leading passer and rusher QB Justin Willis is back, and the top two HBs James Mapps and DeMyron Martin are back. WR Emmanuel Sanders return, but Zack Sledge and his 10 TD receptions are gone. On the OL, just 48 career starts return, and they must learn the Jones offense.
SMU gave up 40 points per game last year, but 7 starters are back. Top tacklers LB Will Bonilla and SS Bryce Hudman return, as do DBs Bryan McCann and David Haynes. The DL returns just two sacks, but two Big XII LB transfers (Chase Kennemer and Alex Odiari) should help. In Jones’ first year at Hawaii, he took the Warriors from 0-12 to 9-4 and a bowl game. Could it be the same story for him at SMU?
RICE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Rice Sr. WR Jarrett Dillard is looking for his third straight 1,000-yd receiving year in ‘08
In 2006 Rice snuck up on everybody, went 7-5 and played in a bowl game (where Troy crushed them). Last year it was back to reality though, as new coach David Bailiff struggled. Rice returns nine offensive starters, including QB Chase Clement, who threw for nearly 3,400 yards with 37 total TDs last year, and WR Jarrett Dillard, an All-American in 2006. Just two OL starters need replacing, and the OL has 83 career returning starts.
Seven defensive starters return, including the top five 2007 tacklers – FS Andrew Sendejo, LBs Brian Raines and Vernon James, DE Scott Solomon, and CB Brandon King. Rice may have some questions at DT, however, but the defense should be better than the one that gave up 43 points/game last season. Four of the Owls’ first six games are on the road (Memphis, Vanderbilt, Texas, and Tulsa), so how they fare in those games will show us what Rice has in store for 2008.
TULANE
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Green Wave MLB Evan Lee led Tulane in tackles last year
The Green Wave have only been to one bowl (2002 Hawaii Bowl) since the undefeated, Shaun King-led 1998 season, and coach Bob Toledo enters his second year in New Orleans. His main task this year is replacing HB Matt Forte’s 2,127 yards and 23 rushing TDs. All three QBs who saw significant time last year – Anthony Scelfo, Scott Elliott, and Kevin Moore – return, but those three threw a combined 10 TDs and 12 INTs last year. The top two WRs – Jeremy Williams and Brian King – are back, along with 4 OL starters and 80 combined career starts.
Oh look! another team in this division returning seven defensive starters. Leading 2007 tackler MLB Evan Lee is back, along with CB Josh Lumar, LB David Skehan, and FS Chinonso Echebelem. While the LBs and secondary should be fine, Tulane loses its top three DTs – Avery Williams, Antonio Harris, and Frank Morton. Tulane plays at Alabama and LSU this year, as well as UTEP, Houston, and Tulsa. Replacing Forte will be hard enough, so it could be a tough year for Tulane.
Yep, I’m the new guy. The Vol bloggers started the Roundtable early in July and it’s been a resounding success. And now they’ve asked me to join them, so thanks guys for the kind addition. Also, thanks to lawvol at Gate 21 for giving me the nice little logo in the above picture.
If you’re not familiar how this works, one of the ten Vol blogs hosts the Roundtable, coming up with questions and answering them. The rest of us then respond and that’s when it gets interesting.
Anyways, Thomas the Terrible over at YMSWWC (Your Mother Slept With Wilt Chamberlain) hosts this week, and he’s all about hating on Alabama, which is totally cool with me.
(1) One former VOL made the brave choice to testify against some Bammers and has to enter witness protection with a whole new identity, but that also gives him 4 more years of eligibility. Which VOL would you pick and why?
An obvious choice would be one of Tennessee’s great defensive linemen of the recent decade or so – such as YMSWWC’s choice Albert Haynesworth, Leonard Little, John Henderson, Jesse Mahelona, anybody who nearly killed Brodie Croyle 2003-2005, and many more I’m leaving out.
Of course another obvious choice is Peyton Manning because, well, he’s Peyton Manning. But that’s too easy of answer for me to take.
That said, I’m gonna go old-school (for me at least) with Jay Graham, because he broke the Bammers’ hearts two straight years, and I think he just scored on the Tide again. Proof…
(the particular highlights start at 0:53)
I understand we have excellent HBs already, so I picked Graham more for his Bama ownage than the need for him to return for four more years (though he was a great Vol). I’m all for Bama ownage and I’m expecting some this year after seeing last year’s debacle live and in person (I was at the Florida game too…ouch).
(2) Alabama has been given the death penalty and is forced to leave the SEC, at the same time South Carolina decides it can win a lot more in the Sunbelt conference and bolts the SEC. Two teams have to take their place who would you like to see take their place?
South Carolina in the Sun Belt…classic. I think the common answer here will be for Clemson to replace the Gamecocks. Clemson is basically Auburn anyways (been to both).
Clemson’s had the most success of any ACC team in the recruiting battles against the SEC schools, and they have SEC-type talent. When I look at Clemson, I see an SEC school that’s out of place in the ACC. I would love for Tennessee to play the Tigers avenge the garbage of the ‘03 Peach Bowl.
My second choice might get me kicked off the Roundtable: I’ll go with Memphis. I’m from there, and I’ve had to deal with Tiger fans for my entire life. In fact, my first memory of Tennessee losing was the Memphis game in 1996 when I watched in horror as the Tiger fans tore down both goalposts. That shouldn’t have happened and here’s proof (at 0:27)…
They like to talk about how they should be in the SEC, especially with basketball, and I’d like to see them try and end up at as the worst athletic program in the league because that’s what would happen.
Driving around town, I’ve seen my fair share of 21 17 license plates, and plenty shirts as well, from that one time Tennessee lost to Memphis. I also had a couple Memphis fans talk trash about Tennessee in football after our 2005 bowl-less season, and I kindly reminded him that we still beat them.
This choice is more for basketball. That’s two wins for Bruce over the tool Calipari every year and the Tigers have been using their garbage C-USA schedule to get 1-seeds and 30 wins per season. And I hate the basketball program about 250 times more than the football program.
(3) What will be the toughest road game to win and why?
UCLA will be tough because it’s across the country and that didn’t go so well last year. There’s Georgia, where Tennessee will likely be the blackout game with the revenge factor from the past two beatdowns. Then there’s South Carolina, and though it’s always a tough battle in Columbia, it’s South Carolina. Vanderbilt isn’t a “road” game.
I’ll pick Auburn. Jordan-Hare is always a difficult place to play, and we haven’t exactly done well against the Tigers the last few times we’ve played. I know there’s the more familiarity/hate factor with UGA and Carolina, but I’m still going to go with Auburn. We know how to beat UGA and Carolina has no QB.
Not only that, but this game’s after the Florida game, which, barring an inexplicable loss to UCLA, should be an epic, a bigger game than Cal was in 2006. A big win or close loss by Tennessee could really effect the Auburn visit next week. I know Auburn hosts LSU the week before, but it seems it’s always tougher to play a big home game then go on the road into a hostile environment.
(4) Could have the great Coach Fulmer handled himself better at the SEC media event when he was asked about the subpoena instead of asking what subpoena?
Probably, but I feel that in this particular situation it’s more on Fulmer’s PR guys and Tennessee’s media people to take care of that. Coach is there to talk football, he’s not thinking about getting a subpoena.
Had he been told about it by his people, he then should have publicly ripped the childish antics of the parties involved in embarrassing him. There’s a professional way to serve a subpoena and throwing an envelope at the targeted person doesn’t count as professional.
And in a way, he’s still got some responding to do: he has a successful year – another trip to Atlanta and breaking the drought would be nice, and NO blowouts – and any ill effects from the crap in Birmingham will be obviously forgotten.
Here’s the other Vol blogs, check back as I link their responses once they’re available. Please go read their answers and do it NOW!
- YMSWWC
- 3rd Saturday in Blogtober
- The World According to MoonDog
- Fulmer’s Belly
- Loser With Socks
- The Power T
- Rocky Top Talk
- SouthEastern Sports Blog
- Gate 21
Entering just it’s 8th year of being a football conference, I think it’s safe to say the Sun Belt has come a ways. For most of its existence it’s been regarded easily as the weakest I-A conference. Heck, some fans of schools that play SBC teams think its teams aren’t even I-A.
It’s first noise-making game was Troy’s televised stunning 2004 win over a top 25 Missouri team that had do-everything QB Brad Smith. In 2006, the league went 0-24 against BCS conference opponents, but took a big step last year: eventual league champion FAU dominated hapless Minnesota (the Gophers have been making numerous appearances in these lower conference previews – not a good thing), Troy smacked another Big 12 team in Oklahoma State, and, of course my favorite, UL Monroe beat Alabama. They were actually 4-4 against Conference USA as well.
Probably the two biggest non-conference wins in the Sun Belt’s short history – a 2004 win over ranked Missouri for Troy and current Dallas Cowboy DeMarcus Ware and last year’s stunning 21-14 win in Tuscaloosa by UL Monroe
Add to that the Sun Belt’s two wins (Troy dominating Rice and Florida Atlantic beating Memphis) in the last two New Orleans Bowls, and the league is starting to make a little noise. Granted, it’s still the bottom of I-A with the MAC, and it’s teams make for nice homecoming wins for SEC teams, but give the league a little bit of credit.
I really think it was just a matter of time before this league made some noise. This league is in some talent-rich states – Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama – so they get the kids that are overlooked by the SEC schools. Size and depth is still the big difference, but there’s some talent: see DeMarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora, Lawrence Tynes of Troy (the last two just won a Super Bowl), and Leodis McKelvin (Troy) and Tyrell Johnson (Arkansas State) were drafted in the first and second rounds this past April.
North Texas dominated the league’s early years, as the Mean Green/Eagles won the first four titles with an incredible 25-1 conference record. In the last 3 years, though, the league favorite has lost a late season game that cost them a conference title: a 3-way tie with Arkansas State coming out on top in 2005, MTSU fell to Troy at home in 2006, and last year FAU stunned Troy to earn the league’s lone bowl tie-in to New Orleans, which has recently changed. Here’s the 2008 preview.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Last Year: 8-5, SBC Champ and won New Orleans Bowl – 2007 Schedule -2008 Schedule
QB Rusty Smith (32 TDs, 9 INTs in 2007) leads the defending Sun Belt champion FAU Owls
The Owls stunned favored Troy to win the league last year and continued that into the bowl win where they were too much for Memphis. They have to be the favorite this year because they return pretty much everybody. Jr. QB Rusty Smith returns after throwing for 32 TDs and just 9 INTs last year. RBs Charles Pierre and Willie Rose, also big receiving threats, return, along with 1,000-yd WR Cortez Grant. Their top 9 receivers from ‘07 are back, including Dilvory Edgecomb, who was the bowl star. The OL returns 101 combined career starts, the 8th best in I-A.
The defense loses LB Cergile Sincere and safeties Taheem Acevedo and Kris Bartels, but the whole defensive line returns. MLB Frantz Joseph had a team-high 131 tackles last year, and he’s back. They host UAB and more importantly Troy, and play at Texas, Michigan State, and Minnesota. Former National Championship-winning Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger has brought FAU to the top of the Sun Belt, and FAU just started playing football in 2001 (went I-A in 2004).
TROY
Last Year: 8-4 and NO BOWL – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
So. DuJuan Harris will split backfield time with former Colorado signee Maurice Greer behind an experienced offensive line as the Trojans break in new QB and WRs
Troy has been the most notable Sun Belt team post-North Texas’ dominance. They beat Missouri in 2004, Oklahoma State last year, and scared Florida State in 2006, losing 24-17. They have become the Fresno State of the South, not afraid to play any big teams. Case in point: last year, they faced Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia all on the road, and showed well in those games.
This year they lose quite a bit of offensive production – stud QB Omar Haugabrook most notably, the top two rushers and top three receivers. However, reasons for hope: HB DuJuan Harris averaged almost 5 yards in his 82 carries last year, and the entire offensive line is back. Anytime you have a good OL, you can be good offensively.
Defensively, despite some losses, they should be strong again. The top 3 tacklers – LBs Boris Lee and Terence Moore and SS Tavares Williams – are back, and overall Troy is at the top of league talent-wise, so they should be yet again a major player in the SBC. Again, a brutal non-conference slate: trips to LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State.
UL MONROE
Last Year: 6-6 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Sr. Kinsmon Lancaster enters his third year as the starting QB for ULM
The Warhawks placed themselves with/next to Appalachian State by stunning Alabama in Tuscaloosa 21-14 last November. After a tough first year, coach Charlie Weatherbie has had ULM in the middle of the SBC the last few years. They return 15 starters this year, but have to replace HB Calvin Dawson, their best offensive player. However, Sr. QB Kinsmon Lancaster enters his third year as starter, and the top 3 WRs return. HB Frank Goodin ran for nearly 600 yards last year, and the OL adds two JUCO players expected to replace three departed starters.
Defensively 8 starters are back, including the top 4 tacklers. 3 DL are back, and the entire LB group – Josh Thomas, Cardia Jackson, and James Truxillo – return as well. Leading INT man FS Greg James is back too. Hey, they D’ed up Alabama 27 points better than Tennessee did (actually guarding D.J. Hall helps), so they have to be decent, right? No Bama this year, but they do play at Auburn, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. Reason they could win the SBC? They host both FAU and Troy.
UL LAFAYETTE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Not sure I would want to tackle Cajun HB Tyrell Fenroy either…
I know from seeing the Cajuns in Knoxville last year that they were a pretty bad football team. ULL should be better this year though, as they return pretty much every skill player on an offense that runs the spread option – 1,000-yd rushing QB Michael Desormeaux, HB-with-a-cowboy-collar Tyrell Fenroy (he looks like a beast though), and WRs Derrick Smith, Jason Chery and Deon Wallace. 4 OL return to lead the SBC’s best running game.
The defense was last in the SBC overall last year, but they should improve despite losing 5 starters. The top 3 tacklers – LBs Antwyne Zanders, Grant Fleming and Brian Burkhalter – are back. Just one defensive lineman returns (DT LaQuincy Williams), so that should be something to watch for the Cajuns. Trips to Southern Miss, Illinois, Kansas State, Florida Atlantic, and Troy could shoot down any hopes of a winning season for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
ARKANSAS STATE
Last Year: 5-7 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
After missing the spring due to injury, Jr. Corey Leonard looks to lead the newly named Arkansas State Red Wolves into 2008
I know from experience, Arkansas State was better than ULL was last year. In fact, I was actually worried they would hang with Tennessee (that was the week after the Florida embarrassment when we couldn’t stop anyone and ASU outgained Texas in their opener). The Indians Red Wolves (I don’t like the new name) also run a spread option type offense, led by QB Corey Leonard and 1,000-yd HB Reggie Arnold. Four of the top 5 WRs are back, but the OL has just 12 returning starts. Uh oh going to Texas A&M and Alabama.
Just 5 defensive starters return, including just 1 of the top 5 tacklers from last year – MLB Ben Owens. The two DEs – Brian Flagg and Alex Carrington – return, but ASU has to replace the entire secondary. Just 5 home games this year, so it could be a rebuilding year of sorts for Arky State.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Last Year: 5-7 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
QB Dwight Dasher had a solid freshman season for MTSU last year
Despite losing QB Joe Craddock in the middle of last year, MTSU entered their final two conference games at 4-1 with a chance at a title. They lost to ULL and were then blown out by Troy. Thanks to true freshman QB Dwight Dasher they were in the race in the first place. Dasher scored 12 total TDs last season, and Craddock returns as well (two-QB system?). HB/WR Desmond Gee also returns as a full-time HB, but the Blue Raiders need to find some other WRs, and have just 29 career returning starts on the OL.
Like the offense, the defense returns just 6 starters. The leading returning tackler is CB Alex Suber, so it could be a tough year stopping people for MTSU. After hosting (and nearly beating) Virginia last year, Maryland travels to Murfreesboro this year, but the Raiders play Kentucky, Louisville, and Mississippi State all on the road. We’ll find out how good this MTSU team the opening Thursday night – they host Troy.
NORTH TEXAS
Last Year: 2-10 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Sr. WR Casey Fitzgerald had over 1,300 yards receiving and 12 TDs for North Texas last year
Statistically North Texas was in the middle of the SBC pack, but after a season-closing loss to winless FIU, they finished last in the league. So. QB returns Giovanni Vizza is back, but will have to battle incoming freshman/coach’s son Riley Dodge, who ran the same system in high school (obviously) for the starting spot. Also returning is 1,300-yd, 12 TD WR Casey Fitzgerald. After being a rushing juggernaut with Patrick Cobbs and the first two years of Jamario Thomas, UNT averaged just 117 and 119 ypg rushing the past two season. Next in the HB line is So. Michael Mosley. 4 OL return, with the addition of some JUCO players as well.
The North Texas defense gave up 45 points a game last year, thanks mostly to Oklahoma’s 79, Arkansas’ 66, and Navy’s 74. Just 6 starters are back, and the Mean Green/Eagles lose their top 5 tacklers. The leading returning tackler is actually a DT (Joseph Miller), so it could be another long year of giving up bunches of points for North Texas. That defense won’t help in road trips to Kansas State and LSU or games against the high-powered C-USA offenses of Tulsa and Rice.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Last Year: 1-11 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
FIU struggled last year, losing by 24 points a game, and despite, just one win the last two seasons (their last game), should be better in 2008
As of late last year, all FIU was known for was brawling with Miami in 2006 and having the nation’s longest losing streak – 23 games. They beat North Texas 38-19 in the finale to end that, so they enter this year with a winning streak (sort of). FIU was horrible last year, losing by an average of 24 a game. They should be much more improved this year, but they do have quite a ways to go to get there.
Nine returners are back on each side of the ball. The offensive skill guys are all back – literally, very few yards gained from last year are gone. They have to replace a DE and a S from last year, but leading tackler from last year OLB Scott Bryant returns. However, a tough schedule won’t help – trips to Kansas, Iowa, Toledo, and their out of conference home game? USF.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
Last Year: 7-5 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Western Kentucky and QB K.J. Black (now #5) made their official jump to I-A last year, welcomed with a 49-3 blowout at Florida
Western played a half-and-half schedule last year – 6 I-A teams, 6 lower-division schools. Most importantly, they were 1-2 against the SBC, beating MTSU and losing by just a combined 5 points to Troy and North Texas. They were I-AA champions in 2002, and have finally made the I-A jump last year. They play just two I-AA teams this year (or as many as Texas Tech…another rant for another time…)
Last year WKU used a 2-QB system with current Sr. David Wolke and So. K.J. Black and should continue that in ‘08. HB Tyrell Hayden, a 1,100-yd rusher last year, is back, but the Hilltoppers must replace the career leading WR in WKU history in Curtis Hamilton. 7 of the top 10 OL return as well.
Leading tackler Andre Lewis is gone, as are 4 of the top 6 tacklers from last year. CB Marcus Minor is the leading returning tackler, but defensive improvement is expected. The Toppers play North Texas and MTSU at home and Troy and FIU on the road in the SBC, and play at Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia Tech.
