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2009 Conference USA Football Predictions

Written July 14, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009 Conference USA Football Predictions Will there be a changing of the guard in Conference USA’s West Division in 2009? Tulsa has claimed back-to-back titles, but the Houston Cougars, under second-year coach Kevin Sumlin, are poised to take over the Golden Hurricane. Back for the Cougar’s is C-USA Offensive Player of the Year in QB Case Keenum, along with rising running back star Bryce Beall and 1,000-yard receiver Tyron Carrier. This figures to be a very competitive conference that is up for grabs in both divisions. NCAA football odds for futures betting are now posted at Sportsbook.com so you can get in on the action early!

East Division:

1.) Southern Miss Golden Eagles – QB Austin Davis and WR DeAndre Brown are now more dangerous as sophomores. The Eagles will feel the loss of LB Gerald McRath leaving early to the NFL Draft defensively, though. Davis, Brown and RB Damion Fletcher will combine to shatter more offensive records en route to the East Title.

2.) East Carolina Pirates – QB Patrick Pinkney was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. LB Pierre Bell, who had 100 tackles a year ago, and TE Davon Drew, who was a fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft are gone. With eight starters back on each side of the ball, the Pirates are more than capable of winning the East again.

3.) Memphis Tigers – The influx of transfers to this program gives the Tigers a legitimate chance at a first East title. Memphis will need more consistency at QB, and improvement in the secondary. They could challenge the Golden Eagles for the East crown, but their league road schedule is pretty brutal.

4.) Marshall Thundering Herd – The Herd has start RB Darius Marchall, TE Cody Slate and DL Albert McClellan returning as three of the best players at their respective positions in the conference. But this team lost seven of its last eight a year ago, and will need better QB play to avoid a repeat. Marshall is good enough to end a four-year bowl drought and enjoy a first winning season since 2003 under Bob Pruett.

5.) UCF Knights – The defensive front will be strong again, and 10 starters return on offense which spells improvement. UCF ranked last in the league in total and scoring offense last season. Another difficult season could be in store, especially with games at Southern Miss and East Carolina.

6.) UAB Blazers – UAB has 11 starters back on offense, led by dual-threat in QB Joe Webb. They lost four starters on defense, though, including All-C-USA corner Kevin Sanders. UAB beat UCF 15-0 to end last season and might have enough to finish ahead of the Knights in 2009.

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West Division:

1.) Houston Cougars – This will be the league’s best offense with the return of QB Case Keenum, RB Bryce Beall and WR Tyron Carrier. But the defense loses C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in Philip Hunt. With so much offense, the Cougars are poised to end Tulsa’s two-year reign as C-USA champs.

2.) Tulsa Golden Hurricane – Eight starters return on defense, and the back seven should be very good to defend opponents of this pass-happy conference. But heavy, heavy losses on offense include QB David Johnson. It will be tough to get back to the top, but you can never count out a Todd Graham-coached team.

3.) UTEP Miners – Trevor Vittatoe is C-USA’s second-best quarterback after throwing for 33 touchdowns last year. PK Jose Martinez, RB Terrell Jackson and LB Adam Vincent are three key losses. The schedule includes winnable road games, and UTEP could break a three-year bowl drought if they manage to get a few of those victories away from home.

4.) Tulane Green Wave – RB Andre Anderson returns from a shoulder injury and he has the skills to become C-USA’s top rusher. LT Troy Kropog completed his career and was taken in the fourth round of the NFL Draft which will hurt up front. The talent level isn’t bad, and there’s enough here for six wins and a bowl berth if all goes right.

5.) SMU Mustangs – Coach June Jones begins his second year with a potentially explosive offense. QB Bo Levi Mitchell threw 23 interceptions last year, and SMU ranked last in rush defense which isn’t a good combo. This season will be much more entertaining than last year’s 1-11 campaign, but a bowl bid may be another year away.

6.) Rice Owls – Eight starters return on defense, led by all-league DB Andrew Sendejo. But huge losses on offense include all-everything QB Chase Clement and 1,000-yard receivers in TE James Casey and WR Jarett Dillard. Getting anywhere close to last year’s 10-3 season will be virtually impossible.

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