Conference USA power rankings
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.
West Division
1. Houston
An excellent defensive front seven complements an offense that lost key performers but should remain prolific.
2. Tulsa
In the secondary, TU has four senior starters who have combined for 78 starts and 22 interceptions.
3. SMU
QB Garrett Gilbert was a high school superstar but couldn't function at Texas.
4. UTEP
Last season, the Miners were 104th nationally in total defense and 92nd in pass defense.
5. Rice
If UTEP was bad on defense last year, Rice was worse (33 points and 462 yards allowed per game).
6. Tulane
The Green Wave has a pretty good QB (Ryan Griffin) and linebackers, but not much else.
East Division
1. Southern Miss
The defending C-USA champion Golden Eagles have Nebraska, Boise State and Louisville on the nonconference schedule.
2. UCF
Unless the university succeeds in an appeal to the NCAA, Knights won't be eligible for the C-USA title game or a bowl because of sanctions.
3. East Carolina
After five consecutive bowl appearances, the Pirates were 5-7 last season.
4. Marshall
Thundering Herd goes to battle with a rebuilt offensive line.
5. Memphis
Since the start of the 2009 season, Tigers are 5-31 overall, 2-22 in C-USA.
6. UAB
Last season, the Blazers were 81st nationally in total defense and 114th in defense.
