I'm not putting this on the OP, but I'll put this in the thread since they are a future member:

No 75 - Western Kentucky

In a nutshell In my mind, four teams stand at least one full step above the rest in the Sun Belt: Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe and Western Kentucky. Although Troy is a sleeper, the league should go to one of these four teams, with head-to-head tiebreakers likely playing a huge role in which challenger takes home the conference crown. When judging each against the other, the positives and negatives, strengths and weaknesses, WKU strikes me as the least likely to win more than eight games during the regular season. In other words, while it's very tight, I'm picking Petrino and the Hilltoppers to finish fourth in the Sun Belt race.

Let's touch on the negatives before focusing on the many positives. The Hilltoppers' big issues, in particular order: quarterback, offensive line, defensive line and the transition into Petrino's style. Quarterback play will remain an issue until Petrino's new starter takes the field in August, whether it's Smith, Doughty or Fishback – and beyond, until the new starter proves he can handle this workload. The offensive line needs to find answers on the strong side. The defensive line is a complete mess, and I worry about the impact that will have on WKU's superb back seven. Finally, history suggests that this entire offense won't hit its stride in Petrino's first season; there's often a painful transition period, full of stumbles, even if history also suggests that WKU's offense will soon be a hair shy of unstoppable.

There's a blindingly bright future at WKU, even if it's hard to predict just how long Petrino remains with the program before a win-hungry power comes calling. To get to the next level, however, Petrino needs to develop personnel on offense to fit his foolproof system. Defensively, the back seven needs to weather the storm as the front four learns on the job. While the Petrino hire made waves, it might pay to be patient until all the pieces fall into place.

Dream season WKU drops 49 points on Kentucky, setting the stage for a nine-win regular season complete with the Sun Belt crown.

Nightmare season The Hilltoppers go 1-4 in non-conference play and suffer league losses to Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Troy and Texas State.

Read Paul's complete preview HERE.

"State" itself may not be the problem per se, but the addition of "Middle" and "State" is.
----------------------
That's a fair point & well taken. I never take pushback as being a prick, so feel free to criticise at will. I just want us to brand it, market it, and sell it consistently & professionally......and win.

If it was just Middle Tennessee State, i would be ok with it, but all four together make it seem like a community college.

What most people don't realize it Middle Tennessee is one of three major geographic regions in Tennessee. So it's harder to get people to understand that.

No 63 - Louisiana Tech

In a nutshell Yeah, Tech's going to drop. Of course, right? A short list of what's gone: Dykes, Franklin, Cameron, Warner, Mills, Patton, Holley, Mitchum, Randle, Hester, Myles White, Jon'al White, Jamel Johnson, Oscar Johnson and Craig Johnson. That's quite a list. No team in college football lost more, from the sideline to the field; no team in the FBS seems less likely to match last season's success on offense or in the win column. Yet I still think this is a bowl team, a contender for eight wins and one of the top four teams in Conference USA.

Part of this has to do with talent: Tech has talent, has speed, athleticism and aggressiveness, even if the Bulldogs return only seven starters from a year ago. One example is at quarterback, where Young brings enormous potential to the table as a first-year starter. Likewise at wide receiver, where players like Banks, Fitte, Turner and Greenwalt will combine to keep this group among the top half of Conference USA – even if there's no replacing a player of Patton's caliber. Dixon is obviously a keeper at running back. The defensive line might be this league's best. The back seven is reworked, but there's no questioning the Bulldogs' speed at each level.

A few key factors: Tech's ability to grasp Petersen's offense; the JUCO transfers along the back seven; Bell, Graffree and Jens Danielsen at offensive tackle; and whether Holtz will step back and allow the offense to spread out and fit its personnel. In addition, it's important that Tech go at least 2-3 in September before turning to the heart of Conference USA play. So what's the big-picture story? This is a team with issues, obviously, but one with the talent and the schedule to win seven games in the regular season and make a trip back to the postseason.

Dream season Louisiana Tech tops Kansas and Army during non-conference play and knocks off every Conference USA foe but Tulsa to finish 10-2 in the regular season.

Nightmare season The Bulldogs struggle in the transition to a new coaching staff, beating only Lamar, UTEP, FIU and UTSA during the regular season.

Read Myerberg's full article here.

(07-05-2013 05:33 PM)Chappy Wrote:  In a nutshell Yeah, Tech's going to drop. Of course, right? A short list of what's gone: Dykes, Franklin, Cameron, Warner, Mills, Patton, Holley, Mitchum, Randle, Hester, Myles White, Jon'al White, Jamel Johnson, Oscar Johnson and Craig Johnson. That's quite a list. No team in college football lost more, from the sideline to the field; no team in the FBS seems less likely to match last season's success on offense or in the win column. Yet I still think this is a bowl team, a contender for eight wins and one of the top four teams in Conference USA.

Part of this has to do with talent: Tech has talent, has speed, athleticism and aggressiveness, even if the Bulldogs return only seven starters from a year ago. One example is at quarterback, where Young brings enormous potential to the table as a first-year starter. Likewise at wide receiver, where players like Banks, Fitte, Turner and Greenwalt will combine to keep this group among the top half of Conference USA – even if there's no replacing a player of Patton's caliber. Dixon is obviously a keeper at running back. The defensive line might be this league's best. The back seven is reworked, but there's no questioning the Bulldogs' speed at each level.

A few key factors: Tech's ability to grasp Petersen's offense; the JUCO transfers along the back seven; Bell, Graffree and Jens Danielsen at offensive tackle; and whether Holtz will step back and allow the offense to spread out and fit its personnel. In addition, it's important that Tech go at least 2-3 in September before turning to the heart of Conference USA play. So what's the big-picture story? This is a team with issues, obviously, but one with the talent and the schedule to win seven games in the regular season and make a trip back to the postseason.

Dream season Louisiana Tech tops Kansas and Army during non-conference play and knocks off every Conference USA foe but Tulsa to finish 10-2 in the regular season.

Nightmare season The Bulldogs struggle in the transition to a new coaching staff, beating only Lamar, UTEP, FIU and UTSA during the regular season.

Read Myerberg's full article here.

Quote:Finally, this is amazing: Holtz hired Tim Rattay. I love it

(07-05-2013 05:33 PM)Chappy Wrote:  [b]Read Myerberg's full article here.

If anyone is interested in the truth, read that. Spot on!

The truth?? They can't handle the truth!!! Go Dawgs!!!!

The three top teams yet to previewed: ECU, Marshall, then Tulsa.

I figure they will previewed in that order with ECU being next. I placed Marshall above ECU since they are being groomed for the future top spot along with La Tech.

(07-06-2013 06:46 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  

(07-05-2013 05:33 PM)Chappy Wrote:  [b]Read Myerberg's full article here.

If anyone is interested in the truth, read that. Spot on!

Myerberg is often off on his rankings (but he covers this by re-rankings and giving a broad dream and nightmare scenario), but his previews are deeper and more up to date than anyone else in the business. It's a must read for me every year.

50. East Carolina

In a nutshell There's only one way to view this season, the Pirates' last in Conference USA before leaping to the American Athletic Conference: ECU should be disappointed in anything less than eight wins. There's simply no excuse for not winning six or more games in league play and at least two against non-conference competition, especially given the average nature of Conference USA and this team's own degree of returning talent and experience. The bottom line, in short, is that the Pirates should not be satisfied unless they head into the postseason at 7-5 or 8-4 and in no worse than second place in the East Division.

I could even make the case that ECU should be at least 8-4 as the regular season comes to a close; I could even say that ECU should be happy only with an East title, though Marshall seems like the class of the division as we prepare for fall camp. The Pirates are very strong at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line and in the kicking game. The Pirates are questionable in the backfield, due to depth issues, and should be somewhat concerned about cornerback play. Overall, there are a tremendous number of positives and only a few negatives – so this team should have some grand plans.

I'm picking ECU to go 8-4 in the regular season, losing two of three against Virginia Tech, UNC and N.C. State and another pair to Tulsa and Marshall. I don't believe any Conference USA teams other than Tulsa and the Thundering Herd are in ECU's class, basically. I even believe this team can do much, much more – the Pirates can very well make a run at double-digit wins, should they sew up the secondary in time for Virginia Tech and UNC in September. Again, the East Division comes down to Marshall and ECU in November.

Dream season ECU goes 10-2, losing only to Virginia Tech and UNC, and takes home the East Division and a national ranking.

Nightmare season The Pirates slog through a 6-6 regular season, dropping three non-conference games and league dates with Tulsa, Marshall and UAB.


Read it all here.

No. 40 - Marshall

In a nutshell Marshall has the offense to score at will, dropping 40 or 50 points on a weekly basis as an equal-opportunity offender, whether the opponent is Ohio, Tulsa, East Carolina or an opponent from Conference USA's weaker half. How good is this offense? Statistically, it may end the year as the nation's best; in total, when considering mitigating factors – that the Herd play an easy schedule – it's probably safer to call this one of the nation's 10 best overall units. Alone, this offense guarantees seven wins during the regular season.

Whether Marshall can move beyond that mark, taking eight or nine games and winning the East Division, centers on whether this defense is ready to take on a larger degree of responsibility. For now, and even if I admit this unit is improved, Marshall's defense is the reason I can't take the Herd seriously as a team with the potential to end the year with a national ranking. But here's the good news: Marshall needs only to sew up its pass rush and find consistency at safety to take that leap. It is absolutely possible, and it's the primary reason why this is a trendy team heading into fall camp.

I think Marshall wins the East, takes eight or nine games during the regular season and challenges Tulsa for top spot in Conference USA. The Golden Hurricane's consistency – and past winning ways – makes them the favorite to take the league, in my mind. But Marshall is an offensively potent squad with the clear ability to simply outscore every opponent on this schedule in a banner season. This is quite easily the program's best team in a decade.

Dream season Marshall goes 11-1, losing only to Virginia Tech in September, and enters the Conference USA title game with a shot at a BCS berth.

Nightmare season With this team, anything less than six wins would be obscenely disappointing.

Read it all HERE.

No. 26 - Tulsa

— In a nutshell: Tulsa is preseason favorite in Conference USA, a league with four or five realistic contenders but a distinct lack of quality depth along the second tier. The league's lack of strong challengers is evident on this schedule: TU will be tested early, in non-conference play, and again in November, but look for the Hurricane to roll out an extended winning streak against league competition. Tulsa will win the West Division with some ease, bypassing Rice and Louisiana Tech, and should go at least 7-1 in overall conference play, doing no worse than a split against Marshall and East Carolina. This team should win at least nine games during the regular season – with this including a 2-2 mark in September, meaning a loss to Oklahoma and either Bowling Green or Iowa State.

Tulsa's offense will be the best of Blankenship's tenure. Part of this optimism stems from Green's projected growth under center; he'll never be a star, but Green will be far more reliable – avoiding turnovers, hitting on makeable throws – than he was a year ago. There's also the league's best backfield, one of the more underrated in the FBS, and a very strong top grouping at receiver. The issue, of course, is the defense. It's not only young but raw, particularly when you move beyond the starting lineup and examine the rotation and two-deep. But you can see where TU can survive, particularly with leaders like Jackson and Nelson joining a strong top level at end, tackle and safety. Cornerback play and overall depth are the biggest concerns.

So can TU make a BCS push? Without question. But can Tulsa win 12 games, losing only once to Oklahoma – or win 13 games, taking down the entire schedule? I'm a little hesitant, particularly until we see more of the young faces on defense. What I do think: Tulsa is the unquestioned top dog in Conference USA, a team with the potential for 11 or 12 wins during the regular season should the young talent develop slightly ahead of the curve. The safer projection has TU going 10-2 heading into the conference title game, making a strong charge for a national ranking and a push for the school record for wins in a single season.

— Dream season: Tulsa goes 12-1, losing to Oklahoma early but reclaiming enough momentum to earn an at-large BCS bid.

— Nightmare season: The Golden Hurricane drop three games in non-conference play, which stings, but suffer a bigger disappointment during league action: TU's loss to Rice hands the Owls the West Division.

Paul Myerberg USA Today football preseason countdown.

wow...#26, that is awesome.

And that completes the C-USA teams in the countdown.

1. Tulsa (26)
2. Marshall (40)
3. East Carolina (50)
4. Louisiana Tech (63)
5. Middle Tennessee (79)
6. Southern Miss (82)
7. UAB (91)
8. Rice (94)
9. Tulane (109)
10. Florida Atlantic (111)
11. UTEP (112)
12. North Texas (113)
13. Florida International (118)
14. UTSA (119)

Note: Future C-USA member Western Kentucky was ranked 75th.

I like the respect; however it seems everyone is a little higher on us than I am. I believe we have some young talent on D, but there's a good learning curve plus it's different playing in a few games and playing in them all. The body sometimes will fight against you. Our Offense, I hope is as good as some are saying, but I want to see it first. Again I like the respect, but I hope people aren't downplaying the opponents. Last year we pulled off some wins that could of went the other way and that was with an experienced D and offensive line. Plus we had the truck (Alex Singleton) to help close out a game when we had a lead and the other team was tired.

Looks like Tulsa just lost two on defense for the season making the defense just that much younger. Tulsa's defense is now truly very young. Not much experience. Stuff like that can make the difference between winning 10 to only winning 9 for the season. Fall practice season not done yet either.

Glad we get Tulsa at Rowdy Dowdy... too bad Justin Jones will likely not give a repeat performance. Guess we'll just have to settle for Justin Hardy .

(08-17-2013 12:13 AM)JMCTULSA Wrote:  I like the respect; however it seems everyone is a little higher on us than I am. I believe we have some young talent on D, but there's a good learning curve plus it's different playing in a few games and playing in them all. The body sometimes will fight against you. Our Offense, I hope is as good as some are saying, but I want to see it first. Again I like the respect, but I hope people aren't downplaying the opponents. Last year we pulled off some wins that could of went the other way and that was with an experienced D and offensive line. Plus we had the truck (Alex Singleton) to help close out a game when we had a lead and the other team was tired.

I agree JMC. We have so many young players on defense, that I question how strong our D will be. They say defense wins championships, & Tulsa's defense was a big part of Tulsa's championship season in 2012.

On offense, I think we will be very good at RB & WR, so the question marks to me are QB & OL. I will have to see Cody Green's improved accuracy in a game before I will believe it. We do have a very good RS-FR backup QB, Dane Evans, backing Cody up. Our OL group includes some of our highest rated recruits, but they are younger & it sounds like our OL hasn't gelled yet in preseason practice.

We have a lot of good young players with a lot of potential, but until that potential translates to in-game performance, I will have more concerns than this writer.