2007 CFN C-USA Preview
Predictions & Quick Team Previews
Team Previews,
Offenses, Defenses & Depth Charts
East
East Carolina |
Marshall |
UAB |
UCF |
Memphis |
Southern Miss
West
Houston |
Rice |
SMU |
Tulane |
Tulsa |
UTEP
-
2007 CFN Conference USA Preview
-
CFN All-Conference USA Team &
Top 30 Players
- Conference USA Unit
Rankings
- Conference USA Schedules &
Predictions
Conference USA Championship
Prediction:
Southern Miss over Tulsa
Conference USA East
1.
Southern Miss
Predicted record: 9-3
Conf. record: 7-1
Best
Offensive Player:
RB Damion
Fletcher, Soph.
Best
Defensive Player:
LB
Gerald McRath, Soph.
Offense:
While it’s become fashionable for programs across the country to switch
to some fancy derivative of the spread offense, Southern Miss is content
to pound the ball on the ground, control the clock and let its defense
win games. Sure, the Eagles prefer balance, but in Hattiesburg, the run
continues to set up the pass. Last year’s league-leading rusher,
sophomore Damion Fletcher, is back for an encore, and this time, he
brought friends. Southern Miss is deep in the backfield, which will
take pressure off versatile, yet erratic, senior quarterback Jeremy
Young. His favorite target will again be tight end Shawn Nelson, a
future pro with All-America potential. For a change, there are restless
moments about an offensive line that’s replacing three starters, two of
which were First Team All-Conference USA in 2006.
Defense: The “Nasty Bunch” defense that’s become the trademark of
Southern Miss football under Jeff Bower should be one of the nation’s
top ranked units in 2007. It’s fast and experienced, and if Bower gets
his way, about to become as physical as his vintage teams of the late
1990s. The Eagles return nine starters, including the entire front
seven and five players that earned all-Conference USA recognition in
2006. Good luck moving the ball on this veteran group. If there’s a
weak link on defense it’s in the secondary, where two new starting
corners will be broken in. One way to help rookies Eddie Willingham and
Michael McGee will be to get more pressure on the quarterback than last
year, when USM was No. 81 in the country in sacks.
2.
East Carolina
Predicted record: 6-6
Conf. record: 6-2
Best
Offensive Player:
OT Josh
Coffman, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
DE
Marcus Hands, Jr.
Offense:
Skip Holtz likes to spread the field out and turn his quarterback loose,
but with the battery of James Pinkney and Aundrae Allison gone, the
Pirates will put more emphasis on the ground game. That means extra
carries this year for versatile senior Chris Johnson and his young
understudies, Dominique Lindsay and Norman Whitley. While strong-armed
sophomore Rob Kass will replace Pinkney behind center, an adequate
replacement for Allison will be much tougher to find. Look for the
quarterback to utilize a group of tight ends that has the potential to
be as good as any in Conference USA. For ECU to improve on last
season’s weak offensive output, the veteran line needs to give Kass an
extra second or two in the pocket and create more daylight for the
backs.
Defense: If the Pirate defensive line doesn’t outright dominate
at times this season, heads will roll at the end of the year. There’s
way too much talent and depth on this unit for it not to make a quantum
leap from 2006. Junior end Marcus Hands, in particular, has the size
and quickness to be special after underachieving last fall. Penetration
up front figures to help a secondary that’s easily the weak link of this
defense. Three starters, including both corners, need to be replaced
from a group that was one of the underrated team strengths for the past
two seasons.
3.
Marshall
Predicted record: 6-6
Conf. record: 5-3
Best
Offensive Player:
C Doug
Legursky, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
DE
Albert McClellan, Jr.
Offense:
Not since Byron Leftwich graduated has Marshall been Marshall on
offense. That should begin to change this fall provided erratic senior
quarterback Bernard Morris can make the most of a receiving corps that’s
brimming with young game-breakers. All-conference back Ahmad Bradshaw,
a 1,500-yard rusher in 2006, left early for the NFL, leaving Chubb Small
to shoulder the load. If he can’t handle the promotion, look for one of
three blue-chip freshmen to rise up and accept an expanded role. While
the offensive line has pending issues at tackle, Doug Legursky is a
beast at center that could parlay big efforts early versus Miami and
West Virginia into post-season awards.
Defense: Disgusted with the play of last year’s defense, head
coach Mark Snyder changed course, hiring veteran Steve Dunlap as the
coordinator. While last year’s team sat back, and often paid for the
conservative approach, the 2007 edition will attack wherever and
whenever it makes sense. The chief attacker will be junior end Albert
McClellan, a sack machine that’ll be in the mix for just about every
individual award given to defensive players. At linebacker, junior Josh
Johnson is good enough to consider early entry into the 2008 NFL Draft
once the season concludes. Dunlap’s biggest concerns in his first
season on the job surround a pedestrian group of tackles and a beatable
secondary that allowed way too many long gainers last season.
4.
UCF
Predicted record: 5-7
Conf. record: 4-4
Best
Offensive Player:
RB Kevin
Smith, Jr.
Best
Defensive Player:
DE Leger
Douzable, Sr.
Offense:
Quarterback Steven Moffett and premier receiver Mike Walker have
graduated, so logic dictates the Knights will lean on junior Kevin Smith
for a while. He’s as good as any back in the league when he’s healthy,
and has the luxury of four starting linemen returning. Don’t expect any
drop-off from Moffett to senior Kyle Israel. In fact, the veteran of 16
games and five starts was so sharp down the stretch in 2006, some around
the program feel he could be even better running the pro-style offense
if a couple of the young receivers emerge.
Defense: Nothing typified UCF’s collapse in 2006 more than the
shoddy play of the defense, which finished 106th nationally
and allowed almost 30 points a game. The secondary was a particular
mess, prompting George O’Leary to open up the competition at every spot,
despite the return of four starters. The coach had a chance to take the
wrappers off some of his young kids late last year, which will benefit
players, such as tackles Torrell Johnson and Travis Timmons and end
Jared Kirksey, this season. More than anything else, the Knights are
looking to improve their team speed after looking a step slow throughout
the 2006 season.
5.
Memphis
Predicted record: 6-6
Conf. record: 3-5
Best
Offensive Player:
RB Joseph
Doss, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
LB
Greg Jackson, Jr.
Offense:
The
offense had its moments, but it was consistently mediocre and not nearly
explosive enough. The ground game struggled behind a bad offensive line,
and now the hope fill be for Joseph Doss to get more room behind a more
experienced front five. The passing attack should shine, led by veteran
quarterback Martin Hankins and the usual array of tall, athletic Tiger
receivers. Duke Calhoun is a rising star touchdown maker, while Earnest
Williams is a solid target to keep the chains moving.
Defense: A disaster last year, especially against the pass and at
getting into the backfield, the defense is undergoing an almost complete
overhaul with several newcomers taking over for established veterans.
The 4-3 needs to start making more big plays behind the line, and the
hope will be for a steady rotation of players to keep everyone fresh and
be more productive. The key will be the play of corners LaKeitharun Ford
and Michael Grandberry, who need to beef up a secondary that allowed 231
yards per game and finished 116th in the nation in pass efficiency
defense.
6.
UAB
Predicted record: 2-10
Conf. record: 1-7
Best
Offensive Player:
RB Rashad
Slaughter, Soph.
Best
Defensive Player:
FS
Will Dunbar, Sr.
Offense:
From the staff and the system to the personnel, the offense will be
getting a complete facelift in 2007. Nothing will look the same which
isn’t such a bad thing considering how poorly the unit executed last
season. New coordinator Kim Helton is installing a pro-style attack
that sprinkles in some no-huddle and option calls, but realizes he’ll
have to tailor the first-year playbook to the talent he inherits. All
eyes in August will be on the continuing quarterback battle between
senior Sam Hunt and sophomore Joseph Webb, a potential savior once he
gets up to speed. Whether or not the offense climbs out of the
Conference USA cellar will depend heavily on the maturation of a rebuilt
line that’s replacing four senior starters.
Defense: While the back seven of the defense figures to be a
strength in 2007, you might not know it unless the defensive line can
effectively replace three key starters from last year. Senior end
Brandon Jeffries will be productive, but after him, UAB is feverishly
searching for answers to prevent opposing passers from having all day to
throw. Junior college transfer Antonio Forbes is being counted on to
deliver right out of the gate at tackle. The linebackers have a budding
star in junior Joe Henderson and senior free safety Will Dunbar is one
of just a handful of Blazer defenders with all-league potential.
Conference USA
West
1.
Tulsa
Predicted record: 9-3
Conf. record: 7-1
Best
Offensive Player:
QB Paul
Smith, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
LB
Nelson Coleman, Sr.
Offense:
Can Gus Malzahn’s hurry-up, no-huddle offense really work at this level
… take two. All the buzz about Malzahn’s fancy playbook fizzled in
Fayetteville last year, but unlike at Arkansas, Tulsa coach Todd Graham
is on board and prepared to see all of the offense’s bell and whistles.
The system aims to control the tempo, physically and mentally wear out
opponents, and sort of run a two-minute offense for four quarters.
Senior quarterback Paul Smith is liable to go berserk running this
offense, but a makeshift offensive line and a whole new set of receivers
will be two major stumbling blocks. When the Hurricane runs the ball,
it’ll turn to senior Courtney Tennial and junior Tarrion Adams, arguably
the best running duo in Conference USA.
Defense: Head coach Todd Graham brings the 3-3-5 and a very
aggressive style back to Tulsa, where he led the defense from
2003-2005. The fact that he coached and recruited many of this year’s
players should make for a smoother-than-expected transition. Graham
will showcase a swarming unit that brings turnovers back to Tulsa. In
his final season as the defensive coordinator, the Hurricane had 36
takeaways. Without him last year? 14. The strength is at linebacker,
which features three senior starters and Nelson Coleman, one of the
nation’s best middle linebackers you’ve never seen play. With so much
over pursuing going on in 2007, a retooled secondary could give up as
many big plays this year as it has in the last two combined.
2.
Houston
Predicted record: 7-5
Conf. record: 6-2
Best
Offensive Player:
RB/KR Anthony Alridge, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
DE Phillip Hunt,
Jr.
Offense:
The graduation of four-year starting quarterback Kevin Kolb signals a
new era in Houston, but it doesn’t mean the Cougars will be inept on
offense in 2007. There’s too much explosiveness and veteran leadership
for that to happen. Last year’s backup, sophomore Blake Joseph, is
expected to get the nod at quarterback. He’s got a huge arm and about
as much fear as he does experience. Surrounding Joseph will be a
half-dozen players that earned all-league honors last year, headed by
senior running back Anthony Alridge, one of the nation’s fastest
players.
Defense: Defensive coordinator Alan Weddell’s goal is to bring
pressure from every angle and invent ways to get as much speed as
possible on the field. With that in mind, he’ll be installing some
elements of a 4-2-5 package in 2007 to periodically get an athletic
rover into the mix. The personnel is deep and reliable, especially with
a front seven that includes dynamic junior end Phillip Hunt and a couple
of all-league linebackers in junior Cody Lubojasky and senior Trent
Allen. If senior safety Rocky Schwartz is all the way back from knee
surgery and the corners hold up, the pieces are in place for this to be
Conference USA’s stingiest defense.
3.
SMU
Predicted record: 7-5
Conf. record: 5-3
Best
Offensive Player:
QB Justin Willis, Soph.
Best
Defensive Player:
LB Reggie
Carrington, Sr.
Offense:
In sophomore Justin Willis, SMU has a legitimate franchise quarterback
with the physical tools to move an offense and the intangibles to lead a
program to victories and eventually bowl games. He’ll be growing
alongside classmate Emmanuel Sanders, who ignited a mediocre receiving
corps last year with 46 catches and nine touchdown receptions. Junior
back DeMyron Martin is eyeing the kind of rebound year that’ll refocus
his career while giving more balance to the offense. He’ll have the
luxury of running behind a seasoned line that returns four starters.
If, as expected, the Mustangs are playing in shootouts this year,
they’ve now got the offensive weapons to keep pace.
Defense: The Mustangs will spend the better part of the year
trying to replace three starters from the 2006 defensive line, including
standouts Justin Rogers and Adrian Haywood. If they can solve that
complex riddle, look out. The back seven, led by Butkus Award candidate
Reggie Carrington, is very fast and very capable of spurring an
improvement from last year’s middling results. The more likely scenario
has the line struggling to create a consistent push and the secondary
getting burned by opposing hurlers with way too much time to find their
targets.
4.
UTEP
Predicted record: 5-7
Conf. record: 3-5
Best
Offensive Player:
RB Marcus
Thomas, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
FS
Quintin Demps, Sr.
Offense:
The
offense continued to be one-sided finishing fifth in the nation in
passing and 116th in rushing, and now things will make a shift back the
other way, although not necessarily for the positive. A battle for the
quarterback job will continue until the fall, but the running game
should be set with Marcus Thomas ready to break out as one of Conference
USA's best backs. However, he needs room to move behind a line that has
to be night-and-day better than last year when it struggled to pound
away.
Defense:
The
Miners melted down over the second half of last season and needs to be
far more productive with nine starters returning. Don't expect miracles,
but unlike previous years, the D should be better as the season goes on.
The defense was miserable last season despite getting a consistent pass
rush from the front seven. Now the whole line needs to find replacements
while the linebacking corps has to hope for Jeremy Jones to be healthy
after a knee injury. The secondary should be a strength after a rough
year with safeties Quintin Demps and Braxton Amy potential all-stars,
while Josh Ferguson is a solid corner.
5.
Rice
Predicted record: 2-10
Conf. record: 1-7
Best
Offensive Player:
WR Jarett Dillard, Jr.
Best
Defensive Player:
LB Brian Raines,
Jr.
Offense:
Todd
Graham and his staff are gone, but the spread attack is alive and well
at Rice, good news for an offense that returns its starting quarterback
and All-American wide receiver. Although Chase Clement to Jarett
Dillard will be a familiar phrase this fall, the Owls are also
developing a bunch of good-looking, young pass-catchers that are ready
to contribute. The quest for offensive balance, however, won’t be so
easy now that underappreciated running back Quinton Smith has exhausted
his eligibility. Last year was a painful transition for the offensive
line, but with four starters back and a full year in the system, there
are no excuses for not being much better in pass protection.
Defense: In an attempt to bolster a run defense that allowed more
than 300 yards to five straight opponents in 2006, Rice is shifting from
the 3-3-5 to the 4-2-5. The move puts another big body in the box, but
also puts an enormous burden on a line that lost three of last year’s
best linemen to graduation. The new scheme encourages constant pressure
from a back seven that boasts the young athletes, such as junior
linebacker Brian Raines and sophomore safety Andrew Sendejo, to create
havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Lost in last year’s statistically
awful season was the fact that the opportunistic Owls paced Conference
USA in turnovers and sacks.
6.
Tulane
Predicted record: 2-10
Conf. record: 0-8
Best
Offensive Player:
RB Matt
Forte, Sr.
Best
Defensive Player:
FS
David Skehan, Jr.
Offense:
New
head coach Bob Toledo would like to get vertical get the passing game
moving, but it's not going to happen at the expense of the ground
attack. With a good back in Matt Forte to work with, the Green Wave will
try to run the ball to create some semblance of balance, but the
offensive line might not be in place to do it. Scott Elliott is the
odds-on favorite to win the starting quarterback job in a four-man race,
and he has some decent young receivers to work with.
Defense: Tulane hasn't played consistent defense in a few years,
and it needs to count on experience, especially up front, to change
things around. Eight starters return led by senior tackles Frank Morton
and Avery Williams. The secondary needs to be far better after allowing
over 250 passing yards a game, but that could be a bit of an issue with
two new starting corners being broken in. The new coaching staff will
use a variety of formations and schemes to try to get more production,
and while the overall defense should be better, there will still be
times when it'll get bombed on.