FOOTBALL USA CHAMPION

The East Carolina Pirates won the East division of Conference USA for the second straight year, and backed it up with another win in the conference championship game, this time beating Houston 38-32. The Pirates figure to have a tough time winning Conference USA for a third straight season, as they must learn new schemes under new head coach Ruffin McNeill and don't have a whole lot of talent back. The conference has some work to do if they want to be recognized as a top non-BCS conference after going just 2-4 in bowl games last season. I believe that we will see that improvement in 2010, and this conference could even produce a team in a BCS bowl game. Here is a look at my 2010 predictions for Conference USA.

EAST PREDICTIONS:
1.) Southern Miss Golden Eagles - The Golden Eagles are my pick to win the East division in 2010, but it won't be easy as this team has to play both Houston and Tulsa out of the West. The big question on offense will be how well this team can replace four starters on the offensive line, but I think this unit will be better than people expect. The defense has nine starters back and figures to be the best unit in the conference.
2.) UCF Knights - The Knights welcome back 15 starters in 2010, and figure to be right there with the Golden Eagles as the favorites to win East. The Knights also figure to be very good on the defensive side of the football, but just how good this team is will depend on the play of junior quarterback Rob Calabrese. Even though the Knights get the Golden Eagles at home, they have only beat the Golden Eagles once in the last five seasons.

3.) Marshall Thundering Herd - The Herd will go to work in 2010 under new head coach Doc Holliday, and I have some very high expectations for this team. They have 14 starters back from a team that went 7-6, and I look for the offense to be even better under Holliday's fast pace attack.
4.) East Carolina Pirates - A lot of experts are calling for a big drop off for the Pirates in 2010, and with good reason as this team only has 8 starters back and must adjust to McNeill's new schemes. While I don't think they have a shot at winning the division, I do think they will finish right in the middle of the East.
5.) UAB Blazers - The Blazers could easily finish in the top half of this division, as they get both Marshall and East Carolina at home. The problem is they have a really tough road schedule, and I think they disappoint in 2010.
6.) Memphis Tigers - The Tigers have not been good at all the past two seasons and with only 13 starters back for the 2010 season, I don't think this team will show much improvement if any in the East division.
WEST PREDICTIONS:
1.) Houston Cougars - I believe the Cougars are the most talented team in Conference USA this season, and the offense should be something special to watch under senior quarterback Case Keenum, who should get a lot of Heisman talk if this team is able to run the table.
2.) SMU Mustangs - The Mustangs pulled off a huge turnaround in 2009 going 8-5 after winning just two games combined in the two previous seasons. They are legit contenders to win the West, as they have 15 starters back and get the Cougars on their home turf.
3.) Tulsa Golden Hurricane - Here is a team that should put together a much better year than they had in 2009. The Golden Hurricane went just 3-5 in conference play last year, but with 14 starters back, including 9 on the offensive side of the ball, this team could surprise some people and compete for the top spot.
4.) Rice Owls - I am really looking for the Owls to put together a winning season in 2010, as they return a conference best 18 starters. Look out for Michigan transfer Sam McGuffie to come in right away and lead the rushing attack that averaged just 109 yards a game last season. The big concern for this team comes on the defensive side of the ball.
5.) UTEP Miners - The Miners bring back 15 starters to a team that went 4-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play, including the leading rusher in Conference USA last season in senior Donald Buckram. If the defense can improve with only five starters back, this team will likely be better than fifth in the West.
6.) Tulane Green Wave - Don't expect a lot out of the Green Wave in 2010, as they have just 11 starter back from a team that went 1-7 in conference play last season. It would be a huge surprise if this team finishes outside of last in the West.
CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Houston Cougars defeat Southern Miss Golden Eagles