Conference USA three storylines
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Sunday, August 19, 2012
2012 College Football
Preview: What to expect from OU, OSU and TU this football season.
Will Big East defector win a final title?
The 2012 season is the Conference USA finale for four schools - Memphis, Central Florida, Houston and SMU. Their 2013 C-USA successors include Charlotte, Florida International, Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, North Texas and Texas-San Antonio. It would be a positive for C-USA if a committed conference member wins the 2012 football title.
It's a year of new faces on the sidelines
Five of the 12 Conference USA programs have new head coaches. At Memphis, Tulsa native Justin Fuente is the head man. UAB's new coach also is a Tulsan - Garrick McGee. There were changes also at Southern Miss (Ellis Johnson), Houston (Tony Levine) and Tulane (Curtis Johnson).
Can new QBs lead teams to success?
Houston, Tulsa and SMU are picked to finish 1-2-3, respectively, in the West Division. Ultimately, the pennant race should be determined by the performance of new quarterbacks - Cougar sophomore David Piland, Golden Hurricane junior Cody Green and Mustang junior Garrett Gilbert.
