Dixiefriedsports
Covering the SEC, ACC, CUSA, Sun Belt, and other Southern Schools
Covering the SEC, ACC, CUSA, Sun Belt, and other Southern Schools
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25 Questions for CUSA
Austin Davis and the Golden Eagles look like the favorites in CUSA
25 Questions for Conference USA in 2011
1. What player has the most pressure in 2011?
A. Nick Lamaison QB UTEP- Lamaison has the task of replacing the school's alltime leader in passing yards in TDs Tervor Vittatoe. Lamaison was the National JUCO Player of the Year, but with only 2 starters back on offense it could be difficult for him to match Vittatoe's previous numbers.
2. What coach has the most pressure in 2011?
A. Mike Price UTEP- Price came to UTEP after being fired before coaching a game at Alabama. The first part of his tenure in El Paso looked like the program was headed in the right direction, but since 2006 UTEP is only 24-37. Another losing season for the Miners and it might be time to look for a new coach.
3. What great news did UAB fans receive during the offseason?
A. A new stadium has been approved- UAB announced that plans have been approved for a 25-30,000 seat stadium in Birmingham. This new stadium will include a large plaza for tailgating and will offer fans views of the Birmingham Skyline. This is something that is needed for this program as they have been playing in an outdated Legion Field. This should increase attendance and help bring an identity to UAB Football since Legion Field has always been associated with The Alabama Crimson Tide.
4. Who is likely to become the NCAA's alltime passing leader in 2011?
A. Case Keenum QB Houston- After being injured in early 2010, Keenum was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA. He returns for his 6th season as the school's alltime leading passer with 13,586 yards, an impressive stat when you consider this is a school that produced Andre Ware, David Klingler, and Kevin Kolb. Timmy Chang's record of 17,072 yards is certainly in trouble when you consider the passing attack Houston runs.
5. What is the best out of conference game for CUSA in 2011?
A. Oklahoma State at Tulsa- For the first time since 2000 the Cowboys will visit Tulsa. The two schools are only 70 miles away from each other and have met 71 times with OSU leading the series 39-27-5. These two teams combined for 21 wins a year ago and with the capability of these two teams for scoring expect a fun game.
6. What is the worst out of conference game for CUSA in 2011?
A. Georgia State at Houston- Georgia State is only in its second year of playing FCS football and Houston is likely to be one of the best Non BCS teams in the country next season. Georgia State did finish 6-5 last year, but their 63-7 loss to Alabama showed they still have a long way to go to compete with FBS schools. Houston could score 80 in this game if they wanted to run up the score.
7. Who has the toughest schedule in 2011?
A. East Carolina- As usual the Pirates have loaded up their out of conference schedule and not only is it the toughest in CUSA, but it is one of the toughest in the country. The Pirates play SEC East Champ South Carolina in Charlotte, host ACC Champ Virginia Tech, play Music City Bowl champ North Carolina at home, and then go on the road to play Navy. In CUSA the Pirates draw a road game against Houston in the West.
8. Who has the weakest schedule in 2011?
A. Tulane- The Green Wave probably did what is best for the program in 2011 by not putting together a brutal schedule. Tulane drawsHawaii, Syracuse, SE Louisiana, Duke, and Army out of conference. In CUSA they avoid playing both Southern Miss and Central Florida from the Eastern side of the conference.
9. Who will be the first player drafted from CUSA in the 2012 NFL draft?
A. Vinny Curry DE Marshall- Last year Curry was 5th nationally with 12 sacks and led CUSA linemen with 94 tackles. Curry is projected by many to be a second or early 3rd round pick.
10. In a league full of explosive offenses who's is the best?
A. Southern Miss- While Houston, ECU, and Tulsa all put points on the board, it is The Golden Eagle's offense that has more balance. Austin Davis threw for over 3,000 yards last year and Kendrick Hardy nearly had 1,000 yards rushing. The WRs had some injuries last year that shook up the unit, but still they produced big. This year's team returns 7 starters from an offense that averaged 36 ppg last season.
11. Who has the best defense in the league?
A. Central Florida- Led by Kemal Ishmael and Josh Robinson, the Knights defense allowed only 17 ppg a season ago. This unit only returns 4 starters in 2010, but they bring in a very talented group of new LB starters this year. Leilon Willingham and Toby Jackson are two incoming freshman that should have a big impact right away.
12. What freshman will have the biggest impact in CUSA?
A. Davon Moreland LB SMU- Moreland(6'3 230) comes is one of the biggest recruits landed by SMU in several years. He was a Rivals 250 player and chose SMU over Texas A&M, Southern Cal, and UCLA. He'll be able to start right away for the Mustangs and should help improve the team's ppg allowed for the 4th straight year.
13. Which Stadium has the best atmosphere in CUSA?
A. Bright House Networks Stadium- While Dowdy Ficklen is a close second, this stadium provides the best atmosphere. The stadium is known by many as "The Trampoline" making the stadium move when they jump up and down. Also adding to the atmosphere is The Chant, that is certainly as unique as any cheer in college football. UCF is 19-8 since the stadium opened in 2007 including a CUSA Championship win over SMU last year.
14. Will Memphis break its 13 game losing streak in CUSA?
A. Yes- Memphis will pull off 1 conference win this year. They only return 9 starters, but expect the drought to finally be over when UAB visits Memphis. The Tigers lost 30 lettermen a year ago, so not much can be expected out of this group in 2011.
15. What will the biggest game conference game in 2011 be?
A. Central Florida at Southern Miss- This game is likely to decide who wins the Eastern Division of CUSA. Southern Miss has won 3 straight over the Knights including a 31-21 win in Orlando last year, a game they once trailed 14-0. It's possible that this game could also be between two top 25 teams, something that is rarely seen in Conference USA.
16. Who is the most underrated player in CUSA?
A. GJ Kinne QB Tulsa- When the national media talks about great Conference USA QBs the first name mentioned is Case Keenum. It seems like most forget GJ Kinne, who is likely to hit the 10,000 passing yards mark in 2011. Kinne threw for 3650 yards and had 31 TDs, he also ran for 561 yards and 7 TDs. Those are Heisman type numbers, especially for a guy that led Tulsa to 10 wins in 2010.
17. Who will be the most improved player in CUSA?
A. Sam McGuffie RB Rice- The Michigan transfer had a good 2010, but in 2011 I expect a true breakout year. McGuffie has possibly the best hands for a running back in the country, he had 39 receptions last year. This year I'm calling for McGuffie to come close to 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards.
18. What relationship should CUSA end?
A. The relationship with the Hawaii Bowl- This is a near impossible trip for most CUSA fans. Sure, its a great reward for the players to take a trip to Hawaii, but the game isn't typically against a big name school. Most years you will be playing Hawaii and not a BCS school. CUSA needs to look to Texas, Alabama, or Florida for a bowl game to replace the Hawaii Bowl.
19. What changes could be coming to the look of CUSA?
A. We could see the Big East take a team from CUSA- When the Big East added TCU last year it gave the conference an odd number of teams. With the Big East holding an automatic BCS bid, any CUSA school would jump at the chance to join. Rumors of Central Florida, Houston, or Memphis(because of basketball) joining have been circulating for sometime now. Central Florida would seem like the best choice when you consider their enrollment size, new facilities, a rapidly growing population in Orlando, and the Knights would be a natural instate rival for South Florida.
20. If CUSA does lose a team to the Big East who should they add?
A. Appalachian State- Troy and Louisiana Tech aren't bad choices either, but App State actually has a higher average attendance than both schools despite being in the FCS. Boone is also a more attractive city to travel to than Ruston or Troy. Appalachian State has accomplished all it can in the FCS and if a CUSA bid came, then they would have to strongly consider a move up.
20. On a scale of 1-10 how good of a hire was Bill Blankenship for Tulsa?
A. 5- Blankenship is an Oklahoma high school coaching legend. His last 4 years of coaching HS football in Oklahoma resulted in 3 state titles. He is a Tulsa graduate and played for the Golden Hurricanes as QB from 75-79. Tulsa has proven that former high school coaches can do well with Gus Malzahn and Chad Morris both lighting up the scoreboard. Blankenship though takes on a bigger task as both those guys were offensive coordinators. I think Blankenship will do well, but won't be able to win as many games as Todd Graham did in 4 years. The good news for Tulsa is that Blankenship isn't likely to leave Tulsa for a higher profile BCS job. He will either retire at Tulsa or be fired.
21. Who did the best job out of the 3 first year coaches in CUSA last year?
A. Ruffin McNeill- Not much was expected from the Pirates in 2010. They not only lost their head coach Skip Holtz, but they also lost their entire front 7 on defense. With the program transitioning to the Mike Leach offense, you would've expected struggles on defense and offense. McNeill was able to get the team to a bowl game and upset a 9 win NC State rival. Ruffin's first year has to be considered a success, but the defense must step up in 2011.
22. What old rival appears on SMU's schedule this year?
A. Texas A&M- These two schools have met 77 times, but only once since the Southwest Conference went under. A&M leads the alltime series 41-29-7, but the series was much closer before SMU got the Death Penalty. The game will be worth watching as it will be the only CFB game on Sunday September 4 at 7:30 EST
23. Who wins CUSA's Western Division?
A. Houston- The Coogs will end up with a 3 way tie with Tulsa and SMU, but will win the tie breaker. The Western Division will be undecided when they visit Tulsa on November 26, but Houston will come away with the road win and the division title.
24. Who wins CUSA East Division?
A. Southern Miss- The East won't be as close as USM will be able to win against Central Florida for the 4th straight year. USM will make it to the CUSA Championship game for the first time since 2006.
25. Who wins Conference USA in 2011?
A. Southern Miss- The Golden Eagles will win a shoot out in Hattiesburg. The difference in the game will be the running of Kendrick Hardy who will lead the game winning drive late in the 4th quarter. USM comes away with its first Championship since 2003 and makes it back to the Liberty Bowl to face a SEC opponent.
Matt Barber
Dixiefriedsports@gmail.com
