Conference USA Preview: University of Texas at El Paso Miners

 
University of Texas at El Paso Miners

Last Year: 5-7 (3-5)/ 3rd West

2015 was the year for the Miners. Starting off with the best Battle of I-10 game since 2008! UTEP has won the last 7 matchups between the two schools, but there isn’t much better than a 3OT rivalry game. Now to their 3 conference wins. The Miners beat Florida Atlantic, Rice, and North Texas. There seems to be a pattern of their wins. In 2015, Rice had the 2nd best rushing attack in the conference, while Florida Atlantic sat at 5th. And North Texas, was well, North Texas. .

Players to Watch

RB Aaron Jones

LB Alvin Jones

OL Will Hernandez

Coming into 2016, the Miners will have new looks on both sides of the ball after Head Coach Sean Kugler hired Brent Pease as the new Offensive Coordinator/QB coach and Tom Mason as the new Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach

The Miner offense wasn’t very effective in 2015, but OL Will Hernandez was a bright spot. Hernandez was an All-Conference USA selection. The Offensive Line unit only gave up 12 sacks in 12 games, which is astounding. Ranking wise that’s 7th nationally and 1st in the conference. RB Aaron Jones will come back after a season-ending injury in the second game of the season against Texas Tech. He’s the program’s 8th all-time leading rusher.

The defense is led by LB Alvin Jones leading the team with 92 tackles. That’s 31 tackles better than Jimmy Musgrave who has left after his senior year. The defense returns 6 starters, but they will have to have an overhaul to make some progress in 2016. Passing defense was a problem. Adding to the stats below, UTEP was 11th in opponents passing efficiency. Meaning, no matter who was facing off against the Miners, they were effective and scored lots (28 TDs/11th in conference).

Total Offense	107th/11th (342.8)	Total Defense	93rd/9th (427.8)
Passing Offense	94th/10th (195.1)	Passing Defense	110th/12th (265)
Rushing Offense	97th/11th (147.8)	Rushing Defense	54th/4th (162.8)
Scoring Offense	112th/11th (20.7)	Scoring Defense	98th/8th (32.9)

Big Games of 2016

Sep 3        New Mexico State

Sep 24       @ Louisiana Tech

Oct 29       Old Dominion

Prediction

7-5 (5-3)/2nd West

The West division is down from 2015, and the Miners can capitalize. Southern Miss will still be a power, and getting them at home will be a plus, but that seems like the only obvious loss on the conference schedule. Without Driskel, Louisiana Tech will be down, and the next 3 teams went 3-5 in conference last year. The Miners are the only team in that division who returns the key starters of all facets of their offense, even if that offense is a weak offense. Rice has a QB change, UTSA returns their leading rusher, but that plays into UTEP’s strength, and North Texas will always be a chance for a win.

Conference USA Preview: Middle Tennessee University Blue Raiders

 
Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders

Last Year: 7-6 (6-2)/2nd East

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: L 31-45 Western Michigan

All in all, 2015 was a good year for the Blue Raiders ending with a trip to the Bahamas. No, they didn’t come back to Tennessee with a win, but getting to a bowl game with a Freshman stud in Brent Stockstill makes this all the sweeter. 2 of their 5 regular season losses came to Illinois and Vanderbilt by a total of 6 points. Those are the games that sting, especially to a Vanderbilt team.

Players to Watch

QB Brent Stockstill

WR Richie James

CB Jeremy Cutrer

2015 was the first season in the program’s history where a QB for the Blue Raiders finished over 4,000 yards in a season. Stockstill ran away with the Conference USA Freshman of the Year award, and will look to 2015 All-Conference USA 1st Team WR Richie James downfield in 2016. James caught 108 passes last year for 1346 yards and 8 TDs. You won’t find a huge standout rusher on the team this year as lead-rusher Jordan Parker has moved on. Shane Tucker had more carries than Parker last year, but of the 1894 yards total rushing on the season he only had 413 yards. That’s 46 less yards than Parker. 6 total starters return on offense including 3 OL.

On defense, The Blue Raiders lose 6 on defense including their top 2 tacklers in 2015 and their top pass interceptor. As a unit, the defense held strong against the run, but their passing numbers were a bit elevated. Most likely because of the types of offenses in the East *cough Western KY cough*. It will be interesting to see how this defense rebound from the lost pieces moving forward.

Total Offense	/4th (457.4)	Total Defense	74th/5th (405.6)
Passing Offense	15th/4th (311.7)	Passing Defense	95th/8th (253.5)
Rushing Offense	98th/12th (145.7)	Rushing Defense	48th/3rd (152.2)
Scoring Offense	35th/4th (34.0)	Scoring Defense	60th/4th (26.6)

Big Games of 2016

Oct 15     WKU

Oct 22     @ Missouri

Nov 12     @ Marshall

Prediction

8-4 (6-2)/1st East

The concern is on defense. This defense could come out and only be a small percentage of what it was in 2015, and if the defense struggles at Vanderbilt and Bowling Green, then you could see a 5-7 result. The only true easy pick is Brent Stockstill burning up more records this year. Could make some big noise in the years to come starting in 2016.

Conference USA Preview: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Last Year: 9-4 (6-2)/2nd West

What a year for the Bulldogs in 2015. From the outside looking in, a 9-4 record looks great, but there has to be frustration. A close loss to WKU hurts, but their scrappy play in that game set the tone for the season. The 3OT loss to Kansas State just flat out sucks, but KSU was a P5 team, not the worst. Mississippi State was a legit team top to bottom. And then we get to Southern Miss. A chance to get to the Conference USA Championship game with both team at 6-1 in conference play. Both bitter rivals. And what happens? The Bulldogs lay an egg of all eggs. A 34 point defeat to the tune of 24-58. The Golden Eagles outscored the Bulldogs just with their 4th quarter scoring (27-24). Louisiana Tech was able to beat Arkansas State in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, but so much was left on the table.

Players to Watch

WR Trent Taylor

DE Jaylon Ferguson

S Xavier Woods

Going into 2016, half of 2015’s starters have left for bigger and better things. The offense returns 6 starters most notably NOT Jeff Driskel. Ryan Higgins looks to be the next man up under center, and he’ll have a huge target in a small frame in SR WR Trent Taylor. Taylor stands tall at 5 foot 8 inches and caught 99 passes last year for 9 TD. He had more than the second leading pass-catcher in Paul Turner (who isn’t returning) who had 45 receptions.

On the defensive side, 8 starting spots will need to be filled, and 1st round draft pick Vernon Butler has some big shoes to fill. The top 3 tackler on the 2015 team were the 3 starting LBs who have left and 2 CBs including Bryson Abraham who picked off 3 passes and had 3 defensive TDs. 2-time All-Conference Selection Xavier Woods leads the defense alongside Freshman All-American DE Jaylon Ferguson. I wouldn’t expect the Bulldogs to keep that 9th overall rushing defense after all of these new LBs taking the field.

Total Offense	21st/3rd (482.8)	Total Defense	53rd/2nd (380)
Passing Offense	13th/3rd (323.2)	Passing Defense	112nd/ (265.8)
Rushing Offense	81st/7th (159.6)	Rushing Defense	9th/1st (114.5)
Scoring Offense	19th/3rd (37.5)	Scoring Defense	68th/5th (26.8)

Big Games of 2016

Sep 3    @ Arkansas

Oct 6    WKU

Nov 25    @ Southern Miss

Prediction

7-5 (5-3)/3rd West

There are so many question for this Louisiana Tech squad going into 2016. QB play, LB corp, Front 7 in general, and CBs. There are 5 winnable conference games on the schedule being in the West and getting a downed WKU team, but don’t expect another division topping team. 7-5 is respectable and should garner another bowl game.

Conference USA Preview: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

 
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Last Year: 12-2 (8-0)/1st East

2015 was very good to WKU and Conference USA Most Valuable Player Brandon Doughty. Doughty was the nation’s #1 passer throwing for 5055 yards and 48 TDs. The #25 ranked Hilltoppers defeated South Florida 45-35 in the Miami Beach Bowl. In conference play, the only team to sniff at a win was Louisiana Tech in week 2, but other than that, no C-USA team got within 14 (FAU was the closest at 35-19). Doughty wasn’t the only producing weapon on offense. Anthony Wales was the league’s 2nd leading rusher with 1091 yards and 9 TDs.

Players to Watch in 2016

RB Anthony Wales

WR Taywan Taylor

LB T.J. McCollum

The biggest question coming into 2016 will no question be, who replaces Doughty at QB. Sadly, Nelson Fishback will not be the guy. Fishback injured his right pectoral tendon and will miss the season. The others in contention for the starting job includes SR Tyler Ferguson, JR Mike White, SO Drew Eckels and incoming FR Steven Duncan. Ferguson seems to be the front-runner, but it’s way too early to speculate. But whoever wins the starting job, they’ll be throwing to WR Taywan Taylor, a lot. Taylor set the single-season mark for receptions in a season with 86 and caught a school-record 17 TDs. RB Anthony Wales will look to follow up a spectacular 2015, and will run with the help of Conference USA 1st Team selection Forrest Lamp.

On defense, LB T.J. McCollum leads the list of the 4 returning starters. He lead the team with 106 tackles. This defense from last year does lose 7 starters, but this defense isn’t as star driven. Overall, this was the 6th best defense, they were top 5 in both rushing and passing defense, and most importantly, lead the league in Turnover Margin at +14. There’s a lot of depth for this defense.

Total Offense	9th/1st (526)	Total Defense	60th/6th (405.1)
Passing Offense	4th/1st (372.2)	Passing Defense	82nd/4th (234.5)
Rushing Offense	90th/9th (154.1)	Rushing Defense	50th/5th (156.0)
Scoring Offense	3rd/1st (44.3)	Scoring Defense	54th/3rd (25.9)

Big Games in 2016

Oct 6     Louisiana Tech

Oct 15    Middle Tennessee State University

Nov 26    Marshall

Prediction

8-4 (5-3)/ 3rd in East

This may be the biggest shocker of my previews. WKU was so good last year behind the arm of Brandon Doughty, and with his loss, the team will suffer. And, suffer is such a harsh word for a team that I have winning 8 games, but that comes from being 3rd in the division. The East Division is the overall strength of the conference this year, and the Hilltoppers have to battle through both MTSU and Marshall, who both will be improved from last year. WKU should breeze through their non-conference schedule, well, obviously against anyone not named Alabama, but the Miami (OH) game could be tricky on the road with a new QB. There’s been so much progress in this program since the addition of Jeff Brohm, and this will seem to be the first rebuilding season for the Hilltoppers.

   

Conference USA Preview: Old Dominion Monarchs

Old Dominion Monarchs

Last Year: 5-7 (3-5)/6th East

The Monarchs were 2 points away from being bowl-eligible in 2015 in their first year completely at the FBS level. The Monarchs moved up from the FCS in 2013 as an independent, and moved to the Conference USA in 2014, but was not completely bowl eligible because of the NCAA’s rule forcing teams to play 2 seasons in the FBS before they can play in bowl games. Their 2 out of conference wins came against Eastern Michigan and Norfolk State. Say what you want about wins against a bottom 10 FBS team and a FCS team, the fact is they won those games. And more importantly beat Eastern Michigan on the road.

Players to Watch

RB Ray Lawry

LB TJ Ricks

DE Oshane Ximines

Old Dominion is a young team returning 19 total starters to 2016 (9 Off, 8 Def, 2 ST) and 42 total letter-winners. An injury slowed down RB Ray Lawry’s production late in the year, but he was still able to be the league’s top rusher with 1,136 yards. The QB position is held by 2 men. Sophomore Shuler Bentley (Candidate for All-Conference USA Name) and David Washington (He’s a WR who plays QB) split time in 2015 and threw for a combined 2,587 yards and 20 TDs. Shuler started year and Washington was able to come in with some energy and take over the starting position towards the end of the season. Washington did injure his knee, and missed spring practices, but is on track to be ready in the fall. Also, the top 5 receivers return for 2016. Zach Pascal will lead the group after his 970 yard and 8 TDs.

Senior LB TJ Ricks anchors this Monarch defense with his Conference USA leading 123 tackles. DE Oshane Ximines made the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2015 with his 5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. Both led the team. This defense gave up lots of yards in 2015, but struggled most against the run (203.6 yards/game), and teams ran a lot against them. A positive going into 2016 are the sack numbers. As a whole, the Monarchs were 4th in the conference in total sacks with 27.

Total Offense	/8th (371.25)	Total Defense	/10th (473.3)
Passing Offense	/8th (219.5)	Passing Defense	/5th (233.9)
Rushing Offense	/10th (151.8)	Rushing Defense	/12th (203.3)
Scoring Offense	/8th (24.3)	Scoring Defense	/10th (35.8)

Big Games of 2016

Sep 10     @ Appalachian State

Sep 17     @NC State

Nov 19     @ Florida Atlantic

Prediction

4-8 (2-6)/6th in East

The Monarchs should beat Charlotte and either UTSA, or UTEP. I could see them winning both or losing both as well. This team really falls on their QB situation. Whether it’s Bentley or Washington behind center on September 3rd against Hampton (Should win), they need to elevate the play they had from last year, and the defense needs to take a step forward in stopping a RB. That defense allowed 4.68 yards a carry. No one wins allowing 4.68 yards/carry, especially in the East, where you have 4 of the top 6 rushing teams in the conference on your schedule. I’m predicting a loss for the Monarchs against WKU, but without Doughty at QB, it will be very interesting to see how the power will shift in Conference USA.

Conference USA Preview: North Texas Mean Green

 
North Texas Mean Green

Last Year: 1-11 (0-8)/ 6th West

2015 was not the year for the North Texas Mean Green. Of the 11 losses, only one came within 14 points, which was the season-ended home loss to UTEP 17-20. Dan McCarney was fired halfway through the season and interim coach Mike Canales was told he would not return as the head coach prior to that UTEP loss.  Former OC from North Carolina Seth Littrell was hired from as the new head coach, and Athletic Director Rick Villarreal stepped down just a few weeks ago (May 23rd). With all of the negativity surrounding the program in 2015, the one win came against rival UTSA so was it really that bad…..? Sadly, yes.

Players to Watch

QB Alec Morris

WR Tee Goree

DB Kishawn McClain

We’ll move quickly through the Mean Green in this preview. I’m not trying to be rude, but honestly, this team is going to loss double digit games again, and has a serious chance of pulling a Kansas and not win any games. QB Alec Morris is a transfer from Alabama who will try to improve on the 161.4 passing YPG. He’ll have to do it with a returning WR corp. WR Tee Goree stood out in the spring game. Keep an eye on him.

After the year the Mean Green had defensively, the nickname needs to be changed. No need in going over them. Just look at the stats.

Total Offense	118th/13th (320.0)	Total Defense	120th/13th (494.6)
Passing Yards	115th/13th (161.4)	Passing Defense	106th/11th (254.4)
Rushing Yards	83rd/7th (160.3)	Rushing Defense	121st/13th (240.2)
Scoring Offense	124th/13th (15.2)	Scoring Defense	122nd/13th (41.2)

These stats don’t even tell the true story on defense. The closest team in points was Charlotte at 36.2 pts/game. That’s almost a TD more on average. They allow 36.6 more rushing yds/game than Old Dominion who sits at 12th in the division in defensive rushing.

Big Games in 2016

Sep 3         SMU

Sep 10        Bethune-Cookman

Oct 29        UTSA

Prediction

1-11 (0-8)/6th West

SMU and UTSA are rivalry games. Winning one would bring a big boost to moral going forward for a season that’s going to be tough on the Mean Green. Bethune-Cookman is a big game because that’s a potential 1st win of the season! Go Mean Green! Go get 2 wins and prove me wrong!