C-USA has not been immune to the realignment fever that has gripped college football the past several years. Louisiana Tech, UTSA, Florida Atlantic and Middel Tennessee State all arrive, just as Memphis leaves, and conference mainstays Tulane, Tulsa and East Carolina prepare to depart. With a shift like that the power structure could easily get turned upside down, especially with several schools graduating a lot of Seniors.
Eastern Division Winner : Marshall
The Thundering Herd’s offense was actually pretty solid in
2012 behind the arm of Rakeem Cato. The
now Junior completed nearly 70% of his passes last year with a better than 3:1
TD:Int ratio. He averaged 6.6 yards per
attempt, somewhat brought down by his incredible 584 attempts. He’s an athletic QB, being able to pick up
yardage in the running game (31 carries, 199 yards) but more importantly he has
excellent pocket presence. He took a
sack rate of just 4.6%, despite an offensive line that had 6 different starting
lineups. Cato will get back his top
receiving target in fellow Junior Tommy Shuler, a former 3 star recruit that
had a 78% catch rate and averaged 8.1 yards per target. He will also return two experienced receivers
to help make up for the loss of about a third of his targets last year in
Demtrius Evans and Gator Hoskins. Both
had excellent catch rates (Evans: 69.6%, Hoskins 79.5%) and good yards per
target (6.2 and 8.5 respectively). The
offense also should feature an excellent stable of RBs, starting with the
explosive Kevin Grroms. Grooms averaged
over 6 yards per carry and found the end zone 8 times, with fellow Sophomore
Remi Watson scoring 7. Watson averaged
4.8 yards per carry, just behind Steward Butler, who had 500 yards on 101
carries with 3 TDs. The offensive line
should also be improved after all the shuffling last year, with 8 players now
having at least 2 starts with the program.
The defense though is another beast though, after one of the most
disappointing seasons in recent memory allowing 43 points per game. The sack rate fell sharply, and the team
ranked 82nd in adjusted sack rate.
However, this year it could see a dramatic upswing, starting with the return
of 3 of the top 4 defensive linemen, and 10 who played in at least 3
games. DE Jeremiah Taylor lead the team
with 5.5 sacks, and NT Brandon Sparrow had 35.5 tackles, 9 TFL and 5 sacks. The LB corps has its strength in the middle,
with Junior Jermaine Holmes who was a playmaking machine with 13.5 tackles for
loss. Strong Side backer DJ Hunter also
returns (former 4 star recruit) after leading the team as a freshman with 74
tackles, and had a pair of pass break ups.
The secondary does also lose the two starting safeties, who combined
made roughly 22% of all the Thundering Herd’s tackles. They will return though their top two corners
in Derrick Thomas (4 passes defended, 41 tackles, 1 Int), and Darryl Thomas who
last played in 2011, defending 7 passes and picking off one.
The offense should be able to keep on chugging, and if the
defense remains healthy the experience of the unit should cause them to take
big steps forward. The schedule is also
favorable, matching up against a couple of conference newcomers and facing just
one Automatic Bid Conference team in Virginia Tech (who could be in for a down
year again). The Eastern Conference
likely comes down to their matchup with East Carolina at the end of the year,
which is in Huntington Virginia this year.
East Carolina
Signal Caller Shane Carden took over two games into the
season after having lost a tough battle in Spring Ball. However, he cemented himself as the started
by tossing 23 TDs with just 10 Ints with 6.6 yards per attempt in his starts.
Carden is also a solid runner, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and scoring
8 times last year, on 56 carries. His
main target was Justin Hardy, a 6’0 wideout who boasted a 71.5% catch rate and
9 yards per target. His true breakout
game was against Marshall in the season finale, catching 16 passes for 171
yards. Danny Webster is the next top
returning pass catcher, having been targeted on 10.6% of Carden’s attempts and
catching 69% of those thrown his way.
Carolina also features an explosive running back in Vintavious
Cooper, who cracked the 1000 yard
mark and averaged 5.2 yards per carry
with 7 TDs. The offensive line should be
improved as well for a group that allowed a sack on more than 6% of their
passing downs, with three returning starters including Will Simmons who has a 2nd
team all C-USA player last year. On the
defensive side, the team ranked 96th in terms of adjusted sack
rate. The top two pass rushers on the
lien combined for just 3.5 acks, but NT Terry Williams and DE Terrel Stanley
did knock down 9 passes (and combined for 9.5 tackles for loss). The only true pass rush threat is LB Derrell
Johnson, who had 7 sacks and 8 more QB hurries to go with it. ILB Jeremy Grove was the leading tackler with
63 stops. The secondary didn't give up
many big plays, but was not stout, allowing 154 first downs through the
air. FS Damon Magazu had 62 tackles, and
played the ball in the air fairly well with 6 passes defended. CB Adonis Armstrong was targeted often, but
was able to defend 14 passes with one Int and 37 tackles.
FIU
The Panthers will have a new man running a squad that could be a bit of a surprise if several players return to form after disappointing years. As a Sophomore, QB Jake Medlock was supposed to take a big step forward as the starter after compelting 2/3 of his passes as a freshman, with 6.7 yards per attempt in limited action. Injuries though slowed down what was overall a very solid season, posting an 8.1 yards per attempt mark, with 13 TDs to just 2 Ints. He took sacks though (8.4%) and failed to deliver the ball consistently (57.8% completion rate). His injury history might be enough to cast doubt on the offenses ability to move forward, and it doesn’t help that the top 2 receiving targets from last year are now missing. It does open the door though for a pair of explosive type receivers in Willis Wright, a Senior with a explosive play ability (61% catch rate, 9 plays of 25 yards or more, 18 of 15 or more) and Glenn Coleman (59% catch rate, 5 plays of 25 yards or more) to play larger roles. The running game does get back Kedrick Rhodes, who missed two games and was nicked up most of the year. Rhodes again has that explosive ability, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and posting 20 runs of 10 yards or more in his 167 touches. The running game (and Medlock as well) will have an entirely new offensive lien in front of them though, with no player of starting experience getting a grade higher than 2 stars as a recruit. The Panthers defense loses its top pass rushing lineman from a year ago, but the middle of the defense should still be able to hold up with a pair of Senior DTs in Greg Hickman and Isame Faciane who combined for 14.5 TFL, 3 sacks, and 2 passes defended. DE Giovani Francois also could see some increased numbers after ranking second on the team in QB hurries, and posting 4.5 sacks. The LB corps was decimated by graduations though, with all 3 top players leaving the program. The new group will likely be anchored by 3 sophomores, who last year combined for 8.5 tackles. The secondary will also likely take a hit with the loss of its top 2 safeties, but CB Sam Miller and CB Richard Leonard are both back, and combined for 12 passes defended and a pick.
Southern Miss
One of the stalwarts of consistency in C-USA, Southern Miss
had their 18 year winning season streak come to a screeching halt lats year as
they went 0-12, averaging under 20 points a game and giving up more than
33. They however should see a rebound
this season, at leats to mediocrity after going 0-4 in games decided by a
single possession. It wont be easy
though after both of last years signal callers transferred, and the other 3 that
saw snaps still each completed under 50% of their throws. The best bet might be Redshirt Freshman Kyle
Sloter, who is an impressive athlete at 6’4 and 213 pounds, with good arm
strength. The core group of receivers is
a veteran group, with 3 Seniors at the top.
Justin Sim, Francisco Llanos and Dominique Sullivan each had sube 60%
catch rates, but Sullivan did post some
explosive potential with 9.5 yards per target.
The RBs are a little thin as well, with Jalen Richard and Jeremy Hester
combining for just over 500 combined yards last year, and 5 TDs. Kendrick Hardy was a star in 2010, but he got
only 30 carries all of last year. It
might make it tough for them as well with an offensive lien that loses 159
career starts. The right side will be
experienced though, with broth RG Ed Preston and RT Vincent Brown as
Seniors. The defense will lose all star
DE Jamie Collins, who had 20 TFL and 10 sacks with 1 QB hurry. That hurts, since no other player had more
than 1 sack on the line. The center of
the defense should be solid against the run with the return of Khyri Thornon
(9.5 TFL) and Rakeem Nunuez-Roches (6 TFL).
Luckily, the LB corps return completely, lead by Seniors Alan Howze and
Dylan Reda, who combined for 90 stops, 7.5 of them for loss. The secondary also features a solid bit of experience
with 4 of the top 5 members returning from last years unit, including top
Corner Deron Wilson who had 9 passes defended, 51 tackles and an Int.
MTSU
The Blue Raiders could be in line for some severe regression
after a season in which they were 4-1 in one possession games. Senior signal caller Logan Kilgore will be
trying to make sure that doesn't happen after a solid campaign last year. He completed 63.3% of his passes for 7.7
yards per attempt, and had 16 TDs to just 6 Ints. He also was good at avoiding the rush,
getting sacked on less than 2% of his drop backs. His receiving corps loses Anthony Amos, who
had 36% of the targets last year. But,
Senior Kyle Griswold posted a 67.2% catch rate, and averaged 11.8 yards per
catch. Also returning is Tavarres
Jefferson, a solid possession receiver who in 2011 had a 73.9% catch rate. The offensive line will also return every
starter from last year, minus C Micah James.
This should help keep some continuity in the running game for Jordan
Parker, who last ear averaged 5.1 yards per carry and had 18 runs of 10 yards
or more. The running game will also get
a boost from the return of William Pratcher, who also missed the 2012 season
with injury. Pratcher averaged 4.8 yards
per carry in 2011, and had 22 runs of 10 yards or more. The defensive side of the ball will need a
drastic turnaround from the defensive line that tallied just 14 sacks last year,
and whos leading tackler had just 2 stops behind the line of scrimmage. There is a lot of depth on the line, and it
does have Shubert Bastien, and intriguing player who garnered 3 sacks last year
as a Sophomore. The LB corps is also
deep, with all 3 starters returning.
Craig Allen missed a game, but still had 10% of the teams total
tackles, 2 of them for loss. FS Kevin
Byard had 2 passes defended and 4 Ints last season.
UAB
Freshman Austin Brown was able to wrest the starting job
from Jonathan Perry after just a few games into last season, and had a very
mixed year. He had 15 TDs and averaged
better than 7 yads per attempt, but was sacked on 9% of his drop backs and
tossed 12 Ints. His growth in year 2
could be slightly stunted though after losing 3 of his top 5 recievers from
last year (~40% of his targets). He will
get back Jackie Williams, a 5’11 Senior who averaged 15.37 yards per catch on
his 52 receptions. He also had a 65%
catch rate. RB Darrin Reaves, who averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored
13 times was also instrumental in the passing game. Reaves had 41 catches for 7.37 yards per
catch and a TD. Freshman backup Bashr
Coles had 9 runs of 10 yards or more on his 39 touches. The offensive line will return an experienced
group, with everyone having started at least 3 games in their collegiate
careers. The defensive front is another
experienced group, which may not be such
a positive after they failed to generate any real pressure (12.5 sacks as a
unit). Connor Boyett and DE/LB Chris
Rabb were the best at generating pressure, combining for 6.5 sacks but just 25
tackles. This unit also loses Marvin
Burdette, the MLB that racked up 123.5 tackles last year, 18% of the team’s
totals, with 13 of them for loss. Like
the defensive line, the secondary returns, but after giving up 8.2 yards per
attempt and a 65.2% completion rate. CB
Lamracus Farmer had 8 passes defended last yeat to lead the team.
FAU
The Owls this year have one of the best unheard of receivers
in William Dukes, a 6’4 190 pound Junior who last year posted a 67% catch rate
and averaged 15.5 yards per catch, with 4 TDs.
Only one other wideout posted a catch rate above 60%, and TE Jonathan
Wallace who posted one at 70% had only 2.8 yards per target. The team will get back DeAndre Richardson,
who had a 21.7% target rate in 2011. Who
will be throwing these guys the ball is up for debate though, with Stephen
Curtis, Melvin German and JUCO transfer Quez Johnson who had the lead in spring
ball. The running game will need to take
a big step forward for the offense to improve and possibly to take some
pressure off Dukes, after Jonathan Wallace and Damian Fortner combined for 0
Tds and a sub 4 yards per carry average last year. The offensive line will be turning over
almost everyone, returning just 23 combined starts at C and LT. There are a lot of Sophomores that will
likely step into starting roles, and Red Shirt Freshman Dillon DeBoer who was a
3 star recruit. The defensive line
features one of the more intriguing players in college football, Trevon Coley,
a 225 pound DT, who had 28 tackles (2.5 for loss) as a freshman. DE Corey Henry lead the team with 2 sacks
last year. LB Adarius Glanton had 57
tackles to lead the front seven last year, and had 5.5 for loss, along with 2
Ints. Andrae Kirk also returns and had 4
TFL and 3 passes defended. Despite not
getting any real pressure from the line, the secondary allowed just a 55.2%
completion rate, and just 98 first downs through the air. CB D’Joun Smith had 8 passes defended.
West Division Winner: Rice
Taylor McHargue enters his Senior year in a tenuous position. He struggled early last season, but was pretty solid down the stretch to be able to post a 60% completion rate with 6.8 yards per attempt with a better than 2:1 Td to Int ratio. However, Driphus Jackson came in when McHargue was injured and threw for 6 TDs with no Ints, and was very impressive against Air Force in the bowl game (15/21, 264 yards, 2 Tds). Whomever gets the snaps at QB will have to deal with losing
2 of the top three receivers from last year, about a third of the targets. Back is Jordan Taylor, who posted a very nice
61.3% catch rate, and 8.9 yards per target.
They will also have Donte Moore who had 40 targets and a 65% catch rate
for 8.2 yards per target. The run game
gets a boost should be solid, if only because the entire offensive line returns
and has some experienced depth. Add in
that top back Charles Ross returns for his senior season after averaging 5.4
yards per carry and scoring 5 times, Rice’s offense could be humming if some receivers
step up. The defensive pass rush was
tremendous last year, ranking 10th nationally in adjusted sack
rate. And 3 of those top 4 linemen return
for another year, combining for 15.5 sacks.
They also had 29.5 tackles for loss, and 114 tackles. The lB corps will also return 2 of its top 3
players, with Cameron Nwosu (73.5 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defended,
2 Ints) and James Radcliffe (34 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 pass defended)
leading the charge. The secondary is
also ridiculously experienced, with no attrition in the off season. Phillip Gaines only had 28 tackles, but he
defended a whopping 18 passes last year, and had 2 TFL. FS Julius White picked off a pair of passes
and defended another 6 while contributing 3.5 TFL amongst his 67 stops.
The Owls are poised because of their depth and experience to
make a big splash in the dawning of the new C-USA. They have experience and athleticism at the QB
position, an experienced line and a defense that returns a lot of dynamic
players.
Tulsa
Cody Green will return for his Senior season in Tulsa, one
in which the Senior will be looking for some massive improvements in his
game. He averaged just 6.2 yards per
attempt last year, and completed just 54.4% of his passes with 17 TDs and
double digit Ints. He will get back all
four of his top 4 wideouts last year, including Keyaris Garrett (55.4% catch
rate, 27.5% target rate, 12.6 yards per catch) and the more explosive Jordan
James and Thomas Roberson (combined 57.8% catch rate, 15.1 yards per catch 6
TDs). The backfield will also be a plus,
with the top two backs both returning Seniors and having over 130 carries. Trey Watts averaged 6 yards a carry with 32
runs of 10 yards or more, and Ja’Terian Douglas averaged 6.8 on his 137
touches. The offensive line will have to
replace 90 combined starts, including both offensive tackles and their center (Brian
Deshane and Jared Grigg were 1st team C—USA, Trent Dupy was 2nd
team). The defensive as a whole will
be in transition starting with the defensive line. Sophomore DE Derrick
Alexander being the most productive returning player with his 3 sacks and 5.5
tackles for loss. Also gone is DeAundre
Brown, who amasses 103 tackles with 17 of them for loss last season. Sophomore Trent Martin is the returning MIKE
backer, who had 31 tackles last season.
WILL backer Shawn Jackson had 71.5 stops and 10.5 of them for loss, so
the LB corps will still be solid. The
secondary loses out on Dexter Mccoil and Lowell Rose, who combined for 19
passes defended last year. Safety Marco
Nelson will now be the top playmaker, after making 66 tackles defending 3
passes and picking off 2 more.
LT
Tech was basically two teams last year, an offensive
juggernaut that was number one in FBS in points per game with 51.5 points per
game, and a defensive sieve surrendering 38.5 points per game, 119th
in the nation. The defensive unit will
feature almost all of its players back from a year ago, including pass rush
specialist IK Enemkpali, who had 6 sacks and another QB hurry. The LB corps and secondary though weren’t so
lucky. The top 3 safeties are all gone,
as is CB Craig Johnson, who had 36.5 tackles.
CB LeVander Liggins is the top returning playmaker, with 4 tackles, 2
Ints and 11 passes defended. MLB Mike
Schrang is the only returning backer who had more than 3 tackles (33 stops, 2
for loss with a sack and 2 passes defended).
Even if the defense is marginally improved by turning over ineffective
players, the offense will likely take a major step back after its
turnover. Gone is QB Colby Cameron, who
had 31 TDs to just 5 Ints, averaged better than 8 yards per attempt and completed
nearly 70% of his passes. Replacing him
is most likely transfer Scotty Young, formerly of Texas Tech. Young was a 4 star recruit, so it should
help an offense that also will have lost its top 2 wideouts from last year, and
45% of the targets. DJ Banks is the top
returner, a Senior now who had a 63.5% catch rate and 8.3 yards per
target. RB Hunter Lee though was the
next leading receiver, with 31 catches.
The running game does at least return Kenneth Dixon, who as a freshman
rushed for 6 ayrds a carry and over 1200 yards and 27 TDs. The offensive line will also turnover almost
every starter, with just 16 combined starts between guards Matt Shepard and
Larry Banks.
UTEP
The UTEP offense will need to make some major strides after
averaging just 21 points per game, 102nd in the nation last
year. It’ll all start with whomever can
win the now two man race for QB, Blaire Sullivan or Texas A&M transfer
Jameill Showers. The smart money is on
Showers, who posted solid numbers when given chances with the Aggies (61.4% completion
rate, over 7 yards per attempt) and is athletic enough to fit new offensive
coordinator Patrick Higgins vision. The running game returns its top two ball
carriers from last year, the leader being Nathan Jeffery. A former 2 star recruit, Jeffery averaged 4.9
yards per carry and found the end zone 7 times.
Autry Golden took only 36 carries, but did average 4.5 yards per
pop. The offensive line though has little experienced depth after
losing 56 combined starts from last years team, but keeps the whole left side
intact with Juniors Brander Craighead and Jerel Watkins. The biggest issue could be receivers that don’t
catch the ball for another year, after only Jim Jones posted a catch rate above
60% last year (on only 17 targets).
Jordan Leslie is an impact kind of player, averaging 10.2 yards per
target, but he has to find a way to haul in more than 53.7% of his passes. The D line could be in for an upswing after
giving up 4.9 yards per carry last year,
since it will return 3 of the top four players. German Reed and James Davidson combined for
13.5 tackles for loss (mostly against the run) while DE Horace Miller wil be
the main man to pressure QBs after posting 6 sacks to lead the team last
year. The secondary and LB corps though don’t
share that experience, after losing 3 of the top 5 backers and all of the
starting secondary from a year ago. DB
Richard Spencer was a 3 star recruit and will be expected to improve on his
just 28.5 tackles and 1 pass defended.
MLB AJ Ropati was also a 3 star player coming in, and should hopefully
post better than 40 tackles with just 2 for loss.
Tulane
The Green Wave are entering their last season in C-USA, and
will be hoping to do better than they’ve done for the past 7 years. It’ll start with Washington transfer Nick
Montana likely winning the QB job after sitting out his transfer year last
season. At Washington in limited action
he completed 57% of his passes and threw 3 TDs and 2 Ints as a Freshman, but was
a 3 star recruit. Montana should get
some help in the form of wideout Ryan Grant, a Senior who posted a 58.9% catch
rate and 15.1 yards per catch last season.
RB Rob Kelley was the second most targeted player, and picked up 5.7
yards per target. Xavier Rush is a solid
target as well after posting a 74.1% catch rate on 58 targets, and averaged 9
yards per target. The running game could
really use some work after the inefficiency is had last yea,r as top back
Orleans Darkwa picked up just 3 yards per carry, and Rob Kelley just 3.5 yards
per carry. The offensive line will
return everyone but RT Eric Jones, which should mean a bit of help. The defensive line could use a bit of help as
well after ranking 79th in adjusted sack rate last year, and losing
Austen Jacks who had 5 sacks. Julius
Warmsley is the top playmaker after picking up 3 sacks and 6 tackles for
loss. The line also gets a very
intriguing transfer in Chris Davenport, a former 5 star recruit for LSU. MLB Zach Davis had 64 tackles, with 5 for
loss and was solid against the pass with 3 defended and an int. The secondary returns 3 intriguing
Sophomores, FS Darion Monroe, and CBs Lorenzo Doss and Jordan Batiste. Monroe lead the team with 79 tackles, and
Doss lead the team with 5 Ints. Batiste
defnded 8 passes, and picked off 1 with his 36 tackles.
North Texas
Derek Thompson was the signal caller last year, and proved
to be a solid player for a team that has been in disarray basically the entire
decade. He had a 1:1 TD to Int ratio,
tossing 14 of both and completing just 57.5% of his passes. He only was sacked though 5 times on his 372
drop backs, and averaged better than 7 yards per attempt. There is some QB battle going though, with
redshirt sophomore Andrew McNulty and transfer Brock Berglund, also a
sophomore. The Mean Green will return 3
of their top 5 wideouts from last year, with Brelan Chancellor being the most
explosive with a 62.5% catch rate, and 11.3 yards per target. Darnell Smith and Carlos Harris both averaged
just over 13 yards per catch, and combined for 3 TDs last year. The running game could take a step forward
after providing some solid games last year from Brandin Byrd and Antoinne
Jimmerson. Byrd averaged 4.3 yards per
carry, and Jimmerson came in at 5, while the pair combined for 35 runs of 10
yards or more. The offensive line will
also return mostly intact. The defensive
line returns one of its best players, DE Aaron Bellazin who had 26 tackles (9
for loss), 5 sacks with a QB hurry. He’ll
need help though after the pass rush ranked just 89th in adjusted
pass rush. The LB corps will hopefully
step up, with the return of 4 of its top 5 players. Derek Akunne is the most talented of the
group., posting 70.5 tackles with 10% of them oing for loss. Not only a threat against the run, Akunne
also had 2 ints and 5 passes defended. The
secondary si lead by Marcus Trice, who made most of his plays against the run
(51.5 tackles, 6.5 for loss). CB Zac
Whitfield had 12 pass break ups and 3 Ints, both team highs.
UTSA
The Roadrunners surprised just about everyone last year when
they won 8 games, even coming against some pretty inferior competition. The third year of the program’s existence
could be big if the defense can make some serious strides. This starts up front
with the pass rush, which ranked 110th in the nation. DE Cody Rogers and Will Ritter combined for 6
sacks, with DT Jarron Harris also added 3 more.
They also get JUCO transfer Brian Price, a 2 star recruit. The LB corps will lose MLB Brandon Reeves, but
Steben Kurfehs is possibly the more intriguing player, after picking up 4.5
sacks last year and a pass defended as well.
The secondary is well stocked now after HC Larry Coker hit the JUCO and
transfer wires hard. He brought in four 3
star recruits . The unit will return its
top three players from last year as well, lead by FS Triston Wade. Wade was a playmaker, intercepting 4 passes
and defending another 7, along with having 59.5 tackles. Nic Johnston was the playmaker against the
run, tallying 5 tackles for loss amongst his 59 stops. The defense is poised for a big step
forwarddespite the step up in competition.
The offense just needs to do what it did last year, starting with Seior
signal caller Eric Soza. Soza completed
59% of his passes for better than 7.3 yards per attempt and had 20 Tds to just
3 Ints. Soza also didn’t take sacks,
with a minuscule 12 (1.1%) all year.
Soza is also a talented runner who averaged over 6 yards per carry and
found the end zone 6 more times. David
Glasco lead the team with 94 carries, and averaged 4.4 yards per carry last
season. Evans Okotcha though got 88
carries and averaged 4.1 yards per carry, finding the endzone 8 times. He was also the third most targeted receiver,
and posted a 74.2% catch rate with a 10.7 yards per target, tops amongst players
with 20 targets. All the top receivers return
this year, and cant be much less efficient than they ere last year, as the top receiver
Kam Jones posted just 54.3% catch rate. The
offensive line should also return everyone but LT Patrick Hoog.
Conference Winner: Marshall Thundering Herd
No comments:
Post a Comment