2019 CUSA Preview

Some people talk about wide open when two, maybe three, teams have a shot at winning a title. Conference USA takes it to another level, with no fewer than seven teams having a legitimate shot at the conference crown.

Southern Miss QB Jack Abraham (Twitter)

The West may be just a little bit heavier on contenders, but the East certainly has its share.

Want to start with FAU? Marshall? FIU? Any or all of those work, and you would have just as good a shot with any of them.

Lane Kiffin is no stranger to the spotlight, and his FAU Owls get the slightest of nods to win the division. With a baker's dozen returning from last year's disappointing 5-7 campaign, FAU should be well-equipped for a good run. There is talent overflowing at the skill spots, including WR Willie Wright and TE Harrison Bryant, and if ex-Alabama RB BJ Emmons lives up to billing the ground game could be strong. QB Chris Robison has been inconsistent, but the job is all his so this could be his year to shine. The D should get a boost from Charlotte DC Glen Spencer, and he'll have an excellent front seven to work with. The secondary could be a question.

Doc Holliday has won at least eight games in five of the last six seasons, so it's a good bet that Marshall will flirt with that total as 14 return from last year's nine-win squad. Isaiah Green started nine games at QB as a frosh and should be more comfortable this time around. Marshall has an excellent ground game and one of the best, most experienced O-lines around, anchored by center Levi Brown. The defense was stout last year, allowing just under 22 ppg, and has disruptor Channing Harmes in the middle of the line. Corner Chris Jackson broke up 15 passes last year and isn't afraid to support the run. The Herd's October trip to FAU could decide the division.

Butch Davis has won 17 games his first two seasons at FIU, including six on the road, and has his most complete team yet. QB James Morgan has NFL talent and isn't afraid to spread the ball around, and could be even better than last year when he broke the school season passing yards record. The O-line is tough and experienced, and the skill spots are deep. LB Sage Lewis leads a defense that was +9 in turnovers last season, and if the talented D-line can do a better job harassing the quarterback (just 22 sacks) then the Panthers could be at the top of the mountain.

Middle Tennessee is typically right in the fray, but may take a step back as only 11 return. JUCO QB Randall Johnson steps in to replace record-setter Brent Stockstill, and the return of Ty Lee at one receiver spot should ease the transition. LB Khalil Brooks is a monster, netting 20.5 sacks/hurries in 2018, and do-it-all safety Reed Blankenship could contend for league player of the year honors after a 2018 which included 107 tackles, 7 TFL, 7 PBU and 4 INTs. MTSU faces Michigan, Duke and Iowa in the non-conference portion of the season so it will be tested once conference play begins.

Will Healy takes over at Charlotte after finding success at FCS Austin Peay, and inherits a team with some solid talent. RB Benny LeMay and WR Victor Tucker are among the league's best, but the O-line needs rebuilding. USF transfer Brett Kean gets first crack at the QB spot, and he'll be asked to do a lot in a high-tempo offense.DE Alex Highsmith is one of the most feared pass rushers around, LB Jeff Gemmell simply hits everything that moves and safety Ben DeLuca is a leader with great range and ball-tracking skills.

Old Dominion has been trending the wrong way, going from 10 wins to 5 to 4 last year, and with only nine starters back getting to four wins could be tough. WR Eric Kumah will ease the losses after transferring from Virginia Tech, and if JUCO QB Messiah deWeaver (originally a Michigan State signee) lives up to billing, the offense could be potent. Defense is where improvement is needed, though LB Lawrence Garner is a tackling machine (100 stops, 9 TFL). Road trips to Virginia Tech (which ODU upset last year) and Virginia could make for a slow start to Healy's inaugural campaign.

Also welcoming in a first-year HC is Western Kentucky, who gets Tyson Helton from Tennessee, where he was OC in 2018. The Hilltoppers have 10 back on offense so should improve their 21 ppg figure from last year. Lucky Jackson is a big-play type at wideout. The defense was solid and welcomes back rush end Juwuan Jones, who had five sacks and five hurries in 2018.

Southern Miss appears poised to break through, welcoming back 10 starters on offense, including talented QB Jack Abraham (73.2 comp pct, 15 TDs) and standout receiver Quez Watkins (72 grabs, 9 TDs). All five are back up front, which should give the ground game more punch (3.1 yards per rush). The LB corps is good, led by holdover Racheem Boothe and JUCO transfer Swayze Bozeman. The secondary is opportunistic, led by safety Ky'el Hemby (51 tackles, 6 INTs), and can run. If consecutive road games with Mississippi State, Troy and Alabama haven't killed the will, the Golden Eagles could soar in 2019.

Bill Clark proved his formidable coaching chops last season, leading UAB to 11 wins and a league title in just the second year back from exile for the program. It could be a little tougher this year as only four return on each side of the ball, though the defense is always tough. There are stars at each level -- DT Garrett Marino, LB Fitzgerald Mofor and CB Brontae Harris, and all three will need to show the way for a young unit. The offense also loses a lot, but as long as Spencer Brown (1227 yards, 16 TDs) is around it will be a productive group. QB Tyler Johnston started five games and improved along the way, so he shouldn't be nervous in 2019. The season closes with a bang, featuring road trips to Tennessee and Southern Miss, and a season finale at North Texas, which could have a hand in determining the division champ.

When sizing up the nation's best QB prospects, Mason Fine must be included. The senior is the straw that stirs the drink for North Texas, though he could have a tough time topping last year's 3700 yard, 27-5 season. He does have WR Rico Bussey (1017 yards, 12 TDs) back, and an O-line short on experience, but long on talent with guard Elex Woodworth and Manase and Sosaia Mose paving the way. The defense saw huge improvement last year (11 ppg over 2017) and welcomes back LaDarius Hamilton, who can affect games in so many ways. Games with Cal and Houston should be a barometer of just where the Mean Green stand.

Skip Holtz has turned Lousiana Tech into a model of consistency, winning seven games or more (and 9 games three times in five of his six seasons at the helm. Versatile QB J'Mar Smith is efficient and should be able to make a nice jump in his third season as a starter. Jaqwis Dancy is explosive carrying the football and Adrian Hardy averaged over 15 yards per grab last season. The defense has become solid and might be better under Bobby Diaco. Corner Amik Robertson is a nightmare to face, with the ability to tackle (61), defend (12 PBU) and find the football (4 INT). Tech opens at Texas but should be able to settle in after that.

Frank Wilson was brought in to improve the fortunes at UTSA, but things went a bit south last year as the Roadrunners won just three games after back to back six win seasons. An experienced offensive line and the addition of JUCO transfer and former LSU QB Lowell Narcisse should help a unit that averaged just 14.8 ppg last year. The defense skyrocketed to allowing 31 ppg from the stellar 17 ppg it allowed in 2017, mostly because the offense went three and out so often. UTSA face an astounding 815 plays last season. Corners Cassius Grady and Clayton Johnson are solid and good building blocks. NC games with Baylor, Army and Texas A&M are daunting, but those things build character, right?

Dana Dimel had one positive in his first year at UTEP -- he led the Miners to a victory! UTEP went winless in 2017, and actually improved on both sides of the ball in 2018. There is a decent amount of experience, if not talent, though RB Quardraiz Wadley (7 TDs, 5.1 YPC) is solid. The defense returns just four, with LB Sione Tupou leading the way (60 tackles). Dimel hits the JUCO ranks hard, so there is more talent this year on the Miners roster. Whether or not that translates into victories remains to be seen.

It's not a stretch to say that the season could be over before it begins for Rice. The Owls open at Army and face Wake Forest, Texas, Baylor, Louisiana Tech and UAB before getting a break. Considering the dearth of talent on the roster, Mike Bloomgren did well to win two games last year. Rice doesn't have much experience (#115), but is solid on the defensive line with Anthony Ekpe (6 sacks, 4 hurries) back to lead the unit. Safeties Prudy Calderon and George Nyakwol are good, but they'll need the front seven to improve on last year's total of 17 sacks. Harvard grad transfer Tom Stewart inherits the quarterback job and has a pair of nice targets in Austin Trammell (62 catches) and Aaron Cephus (40). The line gets a boost from Stanford grad transfer Brian Chaffin and has some young talent.

CUSA PREDICTIONS
EAST

1 FAU (8-5, 6-2)*
1 Marshall (8-4, 6-2)*
3 FIU (7-5, 5-3)*
3 Middle Tennessee (6-6, 5-3)*
5 Charlotte (5-7, 3-5)
6 Old Dominion (3-9, 2-6)
7 Western Kentucky (2-10, 1-7)

WEST

1 Southern Miss (9-4, 6-2)*
1 UAB (9-3, 6-2)*
1 North Texas (8-4, 6-2)*
4 Louisiana Tech (8-4, 5-3)
5 UTSA (4-8, 3-5)
6 UTEP (3-9, 1-7)
6 Rice (1-11, 1-7)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Southern Miss over FAU

* Bowl participant

ALL-CUSA
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Mason Fine/North Texas
RB Spencer Brown/UAB
RB Benny LeMay/Charlotte
WR Rico Bussey/North Texas
WR Ty Lee/Middle Tennessee
WR Quez Watkins/Southern Miss
TE  Harrison Bryant/FAU
OT D'Antne Demery/FIU
OT Cameron Clark/Charlotte
OG Ethan Reed/Louisiana Tech
OG Manase Mose/North Texas
 C  Levi Brown/Marshall

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DE Alex Highsmith/Charlotte
DE Noah Curtis/FIU
DT Channing Harmes/Marshall
DT Noah Jefferson/FAU
LB Khalil Brooks/Middle Tennessee
LB Sage Lewis/FIU
LB Racheem Boothe/Southern Miss
CB Amik Robertson/Louisiana Tech
CB Chris Jackson/Marshall
 S   Reed Blankenship/Middle Tennessee
 S   Ben DeLuca/Charlotte

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
 K Jose Borregales/FIU
 P Alvin Kenworthy/North Texas 
RS DeAndre Torrey/North Texas

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB James Morgan/FIU
RB BJ Emmons/FAU
RB DeAndre Torrey/North Texas
WR Adrian Hardy/Louisiana Tech
WR Victor Tucker/Charlotte
WR Eric Kumah/Old Dominion
TE  Armani Levias/Marshall
OT Arvin Fletcher/Southern Miss
OT Miles Pate/Western Kentucky
OG Shane McGough/FIU
OG Tyler Witt/Western Kentucky
 C  Trace Clopton/Southern Miss

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DE Garrett Marino/UAB
DE LaDarius Hamilton/North Texas
DT Teair Tart/FIU
DT Jordan Ferguson/Middle Tennessee
LB Fitzgerald Mofor/UAB
LB Rashad Smith/FAU
LB Lawrence Garner/Old Dominion
CB Brontae Harris/UAB
CB Stanley Thomas-Oliver/FIU
 S   Ky'el Hemby/Southern Miss
 S   Jovante Moffatt/Middle Tennessee

SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
 K Jonathan Cruz/Charlotte
 P  Kyle Greenwell/UAB
RS Maurice Alexander/FIU

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mason Fine
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Reed Blankenship
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jay Hopson/Southern Miss
TOP NEWCOMER: QB Messiah deWeaver/Old Dominion (JUCO transfer)

TOP FIVE GAMES (NONCONFERENCE)
FAU at Ohio State (Aug. 31)
Marshall at Boise State (Sept 6)
Southern Miss at Mississippi State (Sept 7)
Old Dominion at Virginia Tech (Sept 7)
North Texas at California (Sept 14) 

TOP FIVE GAMES (CONFERENCE)
North Texas at Southern Miss (Oct 12) 
Marshall at FAU (Oct 18)
FIU at FAU (Nov 9)
UAB at Southern Miss (Nov 9)
Southern Miss at FAU (Nov 30)

TOP FIVE INCOMING FRESHMEN
WR Broc Thompson/Marshall
RB Deion Hankins/UTEP
CB Will Brocchini/Old Dominion
WR Manny Allen/Western Kentucky
WR Tre Goode/Charlotte

TOP FIVE TRANSFERS
CB Marquill Osborne/Charlotte (Tennessee)
DE Torrence Brown/Southern Miss (Penn State)
WR Eric Kumah/Old Dominion (Virginia Tech)
OT D'Andre Plantin/North Texas (Virginia Tech)
WR Tavin Richardon/Marshall (Kentucky)

TOP FIVE JUCO TRANSFERS
QB Messiah deWeaver/Old Dominion
QB Randall Johnson/Middle Tennessee
CB Trae Meadows/Western Kentucky
LB Swayze Bozeman/Southern Miss
QB Lowell Narcisse/UTSA

College Football 2018 Conference Previews -- CUSA

CONFERENCE USA

OVERVIEW

FAU's Lane Kiffin (Yardbarker.com)

When you play in a Group of 5 conference, sometimes you need to take drastic measures to stay in the headlines. Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin knows a thing or two about that, and he did his level best to stay relevant -- meeting up with former 2 Live Crew frontman Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, getting coaches from Ohio State and Michigan to attend a prospects camp at FAU, tweeted at Kanye West and showed support for former boss Nick Saban and Alabama with some #rolltide tweets. Busy man, that Lane. Yet he still manages to find a way to coach, and he's got a team that could emerge as the darling of this year's season.

Most people know about the offensive trickery and speed Kiffin loves, but he's happiest when he sees running back Devin Singletary toting the rock. And why not? Singletary had 32 touchdowns and over 1900 yards a year ago, and could emerge as a Heisman candidate this year with a big game in the opener against Oklahoma. But it isn't only Singletary. Receiver Willie Wright and tight end Harrison Bryant are both vital parts of the passing game, and should help whomever wins the quarterback job. The Owls return 10 to a defense that allowed just under 23 points per game last year, led by tackling machine Azeez Al-Shaair (147 tackles) and a pair of big-time corners in Shelton Lewis and Jalen Young. FAU's chief rival in the East will be Marshall, which gets the services of strong-armed Wagner transfer Alex Thomson at quarterback. He has a deep stable of backs behind him, and wideout Tyre Brady is one of the best under-the-radar talents in the country. Defensively, the Herd has a playmaker at every level -- DL Ryan Bee, LB Chase Hancock and DB Malik Gant. They will try to be as good as last year's unit, which allowed just 19.9 points per game and held five foes to 10 points or fewer. Middle Tennessee endured a season of what-could-have-beens as quarterback Brent Stockstill missed six games with injury, and the receiving corps had some crucial missed games as well. A committee ground game will keep defenses honest while Stockstill looks early and often for Ty Lee, who emerged last year after Richie James was injured. A good defense returns nine starters, most notably linebacker Khalil Brooks, who disrupted defenses with his tackling ability and a nose for pressuring the quaterback. Safety Jovante Moffatt is a good one, and brings experience to a talented secondary. Old Dominion couldn't get it going offensively last year, averaging just under 21 points per game but return nine starters, including dual threat quarterback Steven Williams. If Williams gets a bit more consistent with his passing the offense could take flight. The Monarchs have a couple of studs on defense in Miles Fox and Oshane Ximines, who form the best D-line combo in the league.

Louisiana Tech took a step back last season while breaking in a new quarterback, but return eight offensive starters and get the nod in the West. J'mar Smith is a solid dual threat who improved as the season progressed, and he has one of the best targets in America in receiver Teddy Veal. The defense is led by pro-ready defensive Jaylon Ferguson, who has a high motor and a great burst off the ball. Often the subject of double-teams, Ferguson impacts the game in ways that don't always show up on the stat sheet. Cornerback Amik Robertson is everywhere -- tackling (62), hitting behind the line of scrimmage (5.5 TFL), breaking up passes (6) and picking them off, too (5). North Texas exploded onto the scene last year, winning nine games and averaging 35 points per contest -- thanks in large part to the quarterback friendly offense of coach Seth Littrell and the quick release and accurate arm of Mason Fine. All three top receivers caught over 45 passes, and the line returns four starters. Defense was a problem, so Littrell mined the JUCO scene for help. The Mean Green play an aggressive, gambling D that allows big plays, but seem to have better talent this year. Linebacker EJ Ejiya is a burgeoning star. How Bill Clark didn't win national coach of the year honors after guiding a program back from the dead to eight victories is one of life's great mysteries. He has UAB poised for another solid year thanks to the return of 10 offensive starters. Chief among them is quarterback AJ Erdely, who is an excellent passer (60.7%, 16 TDs) and sneaky runner (13 TDs). Running back Spencer Brown was a revelation as a freshman (1329 yards, 10 TDs) and should only get better behind a line that returns four starters. The defense is led by end Garrett Marino and safety Broderick Thomas, who has the size and quickness to keep up with the league's top wideouts. Southern Miss is looking for a fourth straight winning campaign, but will have to do it with a rebuilt offense. Quarterback is in the hands of Kwadra Griggs, who was a bit erratic (55.8%) but smart with the ball (16-2 ratio). Linebacker Racheem Boothe leads the way, and the return from injury of Picasso Nelson should help that group.

RISING: UAB 
FALLING: FIU
BOWL TEAMS (8):  FAU, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, UAB, Southern Miss

CONFERENCE USA PROJECTED STANDINGS
EAST
1 FAU (11-2, 7-1)

2 Marshall (8-4, 6-2)

3 Middle Tennessee (7-5, 5-3)

4 Old Dominion (7-5, 4-4)

5 FIU (4-8, 3-5)

6 Western Kentucky (4-8, 2-6)

7 Charlotte (2-10, 1-7) 
WEST

1 Louisiana Tech (8-5, 6-2)

2 North Texas (8-4, 6-2)

3 UAB (8-4, 5-3)

4 Southern Miss (7-5, 5-3)

5 UTSA (6-6, 5-3)

6 UTEP (2-10, 1-7)

7 Rice (1-11, 0-8) 
CUSA CHAMPIONSHIP

FAU over Louisiana Tech

ALL-CUSA TEAM
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Mason Fine/North Texas
RB Devin Singletary/FAU
RB Spencer Brown/UAB
WR Tyre Brady/Marshall
WR Teddy Veal/Louisiana Tech
WR Ty Lee/Middle Tennessee
TE  Harrison Bryant/FAU
OL Chandler Brewer/Middle Tennessee
OL O'Shea Dugas/Louisiana Tech
OL Levi Brown/Marshall
OL Reggie Bain/FAU
OL James Davis/UAB
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Oshane Ximines/Old Dominion
DL Jaylon Ferguson/Louisiana Tech
DL Ryan Bee/Marshall
DL Anthony Johnson/FIU
LB Chase Hancock/Marshall
LB Azeez Al-Shaair/FAU
LB Khalil Brooks/Middle Tennessee
LB Josiah Tauaefa/UTSA
DB Shelton Lewis/FAU
DB Malik Gant/Marshall
DB Amik Robertson/Louisiana Tech
DB Jalen Young/FAU
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
 K  Parker Shaunfield/Southern Miss
 P  Yannis Routsis/UTSA
KR Isaiah Harper/Old Dominion
PR Andre Wilson/UAB

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB Brent Stockstill/Middle Tennessee
RB Tyler King/Marshall
RB Jeremy Cox/Old Dominion
WR Jovon Durante/FAU
WR Jalen Guyton/North Texas
WR Lucky Jackson/Western Kentucky
TE  Kelvin Smith/North Texas
OL Nate Davis/Charlotte
OL Ty Pollard/Southern Miss
OL Isaac Weaver/Old Dominion
OL Rishard Cook/UAB
OL D'Antne Demery/FIU
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL Miles Fox/Old Dominion
DL Hunter Snyder/FAU
DL Roderick Young/North Texas
DL Kevin Strong/UTSA
LB Fermin Silva/FIU
LB EJ Eliya/North Texas
LB Rashad Smith/FAU
LB Jeff Gemmel/Charlotte
DB Kiy Hester/FIU
DB Jovante Moffatt/Middle Tennessee
DB Chris Jackson/Marshall
DB Broderick Thomas/UAB
SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
 K  Jared Sackett/UTSA   
 P   Jack Fox/Rice
KR Keion Davis/Marshall
PR Darrell Brown/Old Dominion

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Devin Singletary/FAU
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jaylon Ferguson/Louisiana Tech
COACH OF THE YEAR: Bill Clark/UAB
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: QB Alex Thomson/Marshall