2009 NCAA Football Conference Previews: Conference USA East

It's August again!

That means it's college football time, and the addictive sport has once against begun its rise to plague the minds of sports fanatics all across America!

It's certainly already obsessed me, and I can't stop think "third and six".

Anyway, I'm covering the Conference USA in this edition of my 2009 NCAA Conference previews. In this installment, I will cover the Eastern division. I'll go through the possible title contenders, as well as my full record predictions. I'll also point out a key game for each team and give a brief description of how each competitor stands on paper.

Projected No. 1: East Carolina Pirates

Depth Chart

East Carolina launched themselves into the national picture and a top-15 rank early in last season, but managed to fall off the charts after several unnecessary losses came upon them.

However, this year, the Pirates are out to prove something. Patrick Pinkney is among the best QBs in the conference, and Kentucky transfer Brandon Johnson is a good replacement at RB. The entire WR corps are returning as well.

For the most part, though, the defense is the stronghold of the team. The defensive line and linebackers are among the most solid groups in the country, and the secondary is also full of competition.

Kicker Ben Hartman is the best PK in the conference.

Looking at the Schedule

East Carolina's schedule includes quite a few tests for this squad. A road games against West Virginia, North Carolina, Memphis, and Tulsa should be difficult to overcome, as well as home matches versus Virginia Tech, Southern Miss, and Appalachian State.

A loss against VT seems inevitable, so ECU would need to go 5-1 against the remaining teams mentioned to record a double-digit win season. And that, it seems, is unlikely.

Key Game: Southern Miss

Projected Division Finish: First

Predicted Record: 9-3 (7-1 conference)

Projected No. 2: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

Depth Chart

Southern Mississippi struggled last year under new head coach Larry Fedora, finishing just 7-6. However, improve seems probable this season.

Quarterback Austin Davis is a top player by himself, and when connected with sophomore WR superstar DeAndre Brown, the passing game can be deadly.

The running game also lead the C-USA in yards last season.

The defense allowed under 13 ppg for the final five games of last year, and almost every starter returns.

Looking at the Schedule

Southern Miss, like ECU, has plenty of challenges on this year's schedule. The first six games include road games against BCS opponents Kansas and Louisville, the the final stretch is brutal. After October 24, the slate includes @ Houston on O.31, @ Marshall on N.14, Tulsa on N.21, and @ East Carolina on N.28.

It should be a bumpy road, but in the end, Southern Miss appears poised for an eight-win season.

Key Game: season finale @ East Carolina.

Projected Division Finish: Second

Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3 conference)

Projected No. 3: Central Florida Knights

Depth Chart

Central Florida is coming off a very bad 2008 campaign, finishing with a 4-8 record. However, it looks like several more wins are in store for them this season.

However, offensive improvement is key. The scoring unit for UCF finished last in the FBS in '08. But 10 returning starters and a talented wide receiver unit will likely pull them far off the bottom.

Quarterback Rob Calabrese is a sub-par player that will need to step up his play. However, he is a very good WR unit at his disposal.

Running back Brynn Harvey is a decent player at the position.

Defense, though, is the foothold. UCF finished second in the conference in total defense and first against the rush. The linebackers group is among the top 20 in the country.

However, the entire secondary was shattered by graduation, although the replacements should be fine.

Looking at the Schedule

Road games at Southern Miss, ECU, and Texas appear to be already lost, and a home match versus Houston also appears extremely difficult.

However, a mid-season match against in-state BCS rival Miami is the key for the UCF season. Also, watch for the Knights to pull off an early upset on September 12 vs. Buffalo.

Key Game: October 17 vs. Miami

Projected Division Finish: Third

Predicted Record: 7-5 (5-3 conference)

Projected No. 4: Memphis Tigers

Depth Chart

Memphis barely snuck into a bowl last season, but even with the huge pummelling by South Florida, a repeat of a 6-6 season seems unlikely.

The quarterback situation will never be stable all year, no matter who wins the starting job out of the four competitors.

However, Curtis Steele is an all-around solid RB, and WRs Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton are among the division's best.

The defense is nothing special, though, and the offensive line has a few scattered questions.

Looking at the Schedule

We should definitely be able to see how this Tigers squad will function in the season opener against Ole Miss.

After that, there are several easy wins, but the schedule turns bitter October 3. Starting on that day, here is the schedule:

@ Central Florida, UTEP, @ Southern Miss, East Carolina, @ Tennessee, UAB, @ Houston, @ Tulsa.

Not so easy, huh.

Key Game: East Carolina at home on October 27, a chance to prove themselves to the conference.

Projected Division Finish: Fourth

Predicted Record: 5-7 (3-5 conference)

Projected No. 5: Marshall Thundering Herd

Depth Chart

Coming off another 4-8 year, Marshall hasn't had a winning season since entering the conference. However, six wins seems closer than ever, yet many obstacles stand in the way.

First up is the quarterback issue, as there appears no one capable of taking the job.

Running back Darrius Marshall and tight end Cody Slate are both near the top of the conference, though.

On defense, the line is among the conference's best, and the secondary is also extremely deep. The special teams unit appears once again to be top-level.

Looking on the Schedule

The hard games are scattered throughout, but one game stands out as being a big key. Following a likely rout by Virginia Tech on September 12, a home game against MAC contender Bowling Green should be a huge test for the Herd to overcome.

Key Game: Bowling Green, September 19

Projected Division Finish: Fifth

Predicted Record: 5-7, (3-5 conference)

Projected No. 6: Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Blazers

Depth Chart

UAB finally has what they want: a decently-sized recruiting class. And coming off a strong 2008 late-season finish, they finally also have hope.

All success will begin with QB Joe Webb, who is among the most stable in the conference. WRs Forrest, Ferrell, and Wright are talented players for Webb to throw to. The rest of the offense also returns.

The defense does need improvement from it's 106th rank in '08. The line appears very intact and skilled but the linebackers and secondary are lacking greatly.

Looking at the Schedule

This season would be a lot easier if the Blazers had an easier schedule.

The road slate is brutal, including Troy, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Marshall, UTEP, Memphis, and East Carolina, and it doesn't get much better at home, with matchups versus Rice, Southern Miss, and Central Florida.

Key Game: October 24 @ Marshall

Projected Division Finish: Sixth

Predicted Record: 2-10 (1-7 conference)