Defending champion Marshall is expected to miss this year’s Conference-USA title contest, if the season goes as the media predicts.
Western Kentucky (8-5, 4-4) and Louisiana Tech (9-5, 7-1) were selected as the squads to finish on top of their divisions in the pre-season media poll.
In the East, Western Kentucky was picked ahead of Marshall (13-1, 7-1) with Middle Tennessee (6-6, 5-3) in third. The rest of the division in order is Florida Atlantic (3-9, 2-6), Florida International (4-8, 3-5), Old Dominion (6-6, 4-4) and new member Charlotte (5-6).
With 11 starters back, Louisiana Tech was chosen to repeat in the West in front of Rice (8-5, 5-3), UTEP (7-6, 5-3), Southern Mississippi (3-9, 1-7), North Texas (4-8, 2-6) and Texas-San Antonio (4-8, 3-5).
Last year’s conference Most Valuable Player Brandon Doughty is one of 16 starters returning for Western Kentucky. The senior quarterback threw for 4,830 yards and a C-USA record 49 touchdowns. Also back for the Hilltoppers is senior running back Leon Allen, who gained 1,542 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2014. Defensively, senior linebacker Nick Holt III led the Hilltoppers with 11 tackles last season.
Louisiana Tech is hoping that senior running back Kenneth Dixon can duplicate his performance from 2014. He was third in the nation with 28 touchdowns as he rushed for 1,299 yards and all but six of his scores. At quarterback, the Bulldogs are expecting Florida transfer Jeff Driskel to contribute to the cause. The Bulldogs defensive will be helped by junior safety Xavier Woods, who had six interceptions a year ago.
Marshall has 11 returning starters for 2014 C-USA Coach of the Year Doc Holliday, including senior running back Devon Johnson, who gained 1,767 yards with 17 scores. A question mark for the Thundering Herd is at quarterback as junior Gunnar Holcomb is the top returner as he completed 12-of-21 passes for 119 yards last season.
Here are some possible impact players in C-USA:
East Division: Middle Tennessee: Kevin Byard, Jordan Parker, Shane Tucker. Florida Atlantic: Reggie Bain, Jaquez Johnson. Florida International: Richard Leonard, Jonnu Smith. Old Dominion: Ray Lawry, David Washington. Charlotte: Brendon Dozier, Austin Duke, Kalif Phillips.
West Division: Rice: Darik Dillard, Driphus Jackson. UTEP: Autrey Golden, Aaron Jones, Alvin Jones. Southern Mississippi: Brian Anderson, Nick Mullins, Michael Thomas. North Texas: Carlos Harris, Trevor Moore. Texas-San Antonio: Drew Douglas, David Morgan II.
Editor’s note: Quotes, photos and logos courtesy of CollegePressBox.com.