2015-16 College Football Preview: Conference U.S.A. (West Division)

It's that time of year again.

No, it's not time for football just yet. However, it is time to start predicting how every team will fare this upcoming season. And what's the only thing better than seeing actual football getting played?

That's right.....

TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL!

This is a tradition that I have done for almost 10 years now and is a big reason why I got into writing about sports to begin with. It's no secret that college football is my favorite sport. I absolutely love football and I think what we see on the college field is the most exciting product we can get. Yes, the NFL is fantastic. However, give me young, enthusiastic, excited players who are looking to make a name for themselves ANY DAY over over-paid professionals who may or may not show up on any given weekend.

College football is the fastest growing sport in the United States for a reason. Twenty years ago, no one cared about the sport outside of people who actually went to college or NFL scouts. These days though? You will have someone who never even stepped foot on a college campus watching the University of Memphis play Wyoming because one of the teams has a wide receiver who runs a 4.28 forty-yard dash. That's the power of college football.

Seeing as this beautiful sport is literally right around the corner. It's time to start making some predictions for the upcoming season. Over the next few weeks, you will see EVERY team in EVERY conference get previewed right here on the pages of THE ULTIMATE SPORTS BLOG! We are called "THE Ultimate Sports Blog" for a reason people. There's nothing we can't do......

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

Conference U.S.A.

West Division

1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

2014 Record: 9-5 (7-1)


Head Coach: Skip Holtz (13-13 all-time at Louisiana Tech, 67-61 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 46 (252.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 88 (148.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 14 (37.4 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 39 (24.7 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Cody Sokol (3,486 passing yards, 58.0% completions, 30 TD's, 13 INT's)

Rushing - Kenneth Dixon (253 carries, 1,299 rushing yards, 22 TD's)

Receiving - Trent Taylor (64 receptions, 834 receiving yards, 9 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Kenneth Dixon (RB), Trent Taylor (WR), Carlos Henderson (WR), Paul Turner (WR), Joseph Brunson (RG), Kirby Wixson (C), Jens Danielson (LT), Aaron Brown (DT), Vernon Butler (DT), Vontarrius Dora (DE), Adairius Barnes (CB), Kentrell Brice (SS), Xavier Woods (FS), Jonathan Barnes (K), Logan McPherson (P)


Top Incoming Players:  J'Mar Smith (QB), Jaqwis Dancy (RB), Rhashid Bonnette (WR), Courtney Wallace (DL), Johnny Shaw (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Southern
vs. @ Western Kentucky
vs. @ Kansas State
vs. Florida International
vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
vs. @ UTSA
vs. @ Mississippi State
vs. Middle Tennessee
vs. @ Rice
vs. North Texas
BYE WEEK
vs. @ UTEP
vs. Southern Mississippi
BYE WEEK


Conference U.S.A. Title Game: vs. Marshall (W)


Early Prediction: 11-2 (8-0)

2. Rice Owls

2014 Record: 8-5 (5-3)


Head Coach: David Bailiff (48-53 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 63 (231.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 59 (167.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 66 (28.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 82 (28.5 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Driphus Jackson (2,842 passing yards, 57.7% completions, 24 TD's, 8 INT's)

Rushing - Jowan Davis (245 carries, 956 rushing yards, 6 TD's)

Receiving - Jordan Taylor (54 receptions, 842 receiving yards, 7 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Driphus Jackson (QB), Jowan Davis (RB), Dennis Parks (WR), Cole Hunt (TE), Caleb Williams (RT), Andrew Reue (LT), Ross Winship (DT), Alex Lyons (LB), Ryan Pollard (CB), James Farrimond (K)


Top Incoming Players: J.T. Granato (QB), Jackson Tyner (QB), Nahshon Ellerbe (RB), Zach Abercrumbia (DL), Carl Thompson (DL)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Wagner
vs. @ Texas
vs. @ North Texas
vs. @ Baylor
vs. Western Kentucky
vs. @ Florida Atlantic
BYE WEEK
vs. Army West Point
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. @ UTEP
vs. Southern Mississippi
vs. @ UTSA
vs. Charlotte
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 7-5 (5-3)

3. UTEP Miners

2014 Record: 7-6 (5-3)


Head Coach: Sean Kugler (9-16 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 120 (142.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 35 (207.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 84 (26.6 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 77 (28.1 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Jameill Showers (1,858 passing yards, 55.6% completions, 12 TD's, 6 INT's)

Rushing - Aaron Jones (242 carries, 1,321 rushing yards, 11 TD's)

Receiving - Ian Hamilton (27 receptions, 579 receiving yards, 2 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Aaron Jones (RB), Darrin Laufasa (FB), Eric Lee (C), Derek Elmendorf (RG), Will Hernandez (LG), Jerome Daniels (LT), Roy Robertson-Harris (DE), Nick Usher (DE), Gino Bresolin (DT), Alvin Jones (LB), Devin Cockrell (SS), Jay Mattox (K)


Top Incoming Players:  Kavika Johnson (QB), Cole Ford (TE)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Arkansas
vs. @ Texas Tech
vs. @ New Mexico State
vs. Incarnate Word
vs. UTSA
vs. @ Florida International
BYE WEEK
vs. Florida Atlantic
vs. @ Southern Mississippi
vs. Rice
vs. @ Old Dominion
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. @ North Texas
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 7-5 (5-3)

4. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

2014 Record: 3-9 (1-7)


Head Coach: Todd Monken (4-20 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 34 (269.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 124 (95.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 117 (19.0 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 111 (35.4 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Nick Mullens (2,470 passing yards, 59.7% completions, 12 TD's, 9 INT's)

Rushing - Ito Smith (136 carries, 536 rushing yards, 2 TD's)

Receiving - Michael Thomas (41 receptions, 592 receiving yards, 5 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Nick Mullens (QB), Justice Hayes (RB), Marquise Ricard (WR), Michael Thomas (WR), Casey Martin (WR), Cameron Tom (C), Devin Farrior (RG), Brandon Farmer (LG), Norman Price (RT), Rashod Hill (LT), Michael Smith (DT), Elijah Parker (LB), Brian Anderson (LB), Kalan Reed (DB), Picasso Nelson (SS), Tyler Sarrazin (P)


Top Incoming Players: Reid Rials (QB), Gabe Green (QB), Jacob Fleming (OL), Tyler Stutzman (OL), Ricky Parks (DL)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Mississippi State
vs. Austin Peay
vs. @ Texas State
vs. @ Nebraska
vs. North Texas
vs. @ Marshall
vs. UTSA
vs. @ Charlotte
vs. UTEP
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Rice
vs. Old Dominion
vs. @ Louisiana Tech
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 5-7 (4-4)

5. North Texas Mean Green

2014 Record: 4-8 (2-6)


Head Coach: Dan McCarney (22-27 all-time at North Texas, 78-112 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 111 (173.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 80 (153.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 79 (27.2 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 86 (29.8 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Andrew McNulty (1,301 passing yards, 54.7% completions, 6 TD's, 7 INT's)

Rushing - Antoinne Jimmerson (120 carries, 589 rushing yards, 5 TD's)

Receiving - Carlos Harris (71 receptions, 869 receiving yards, 3 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Andrew McNulty (QB), Jeffrey Wilson (RB), Turner Smiley (WR), Carlos Harris (WR), Marcus Smith (TE), Kaydon Kirby (C), Chad Polk (DE), Austin Orr (DT), Sir Calvin Wallace (DT), Calvin Minor (LB), Fred Scott (LB), Kenny Buyers (CB), Trevor Moore (K), Eric Keena (P)


Top Incoming Players:  D'Aundrey Bradley (WR), Kevin Dillman (TE), Kelvin Smith (TE), Jareid Combs (DL), James Gray (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

BYE WEEK
vs. @ SMU
vs. Rice
vs. @ Iowa
vs. @ Southern Mississippi
vs. Portland State
vs. Western Kentucky
vs. @ Marshall
vs. UTSA
vs. @ Louisiana Tech
vs. @ Tennessee
vs. @ Middle Tennessee
vs. UTEP
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 2-10 (1-7)

6. UTSA Roadrunners

2014 Record: 4-8 (3-5)


Head Coach: Larry Coker (19-17 all-time at UTSA, 79-32 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 110 (175.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 110 (122.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 121 (17.1 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 55 (25.9 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Tucker Carter (1,083 passing yards, 57.5% completions, 4 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - David Glasco (150 carries, 570 rushing yards, 5 TD's)

Receiving - Marcellus Mack (22 receptions, 279 receiving yards, 1 TD's)


Top Returning Players: David Morgan (TE), William Cavanugh (RG), Drew Douglas (LB), Michael Egwuagu (LB), Bennett Okotcha (CB), Mauricio Sanchez (CB)


Top Incoming Players:  Jaylon Henderson (QB), Manny Harris (QB), Corbin White (RB), Brett Winnegan (RB), Jess Anders (RB), Vontrell King-Williams (DL)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Arizona
vs. Kansas State
vs. @ Oklahoma State
vs. Colorado State
vs. @ UTEP
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. @ Southern Mississippi
BYE WEEK
vs. @ North Texas
vs. Old Dominion
vs. @ Charlotte
vs. Rice
vs. Middle Tennessee
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 0-12 (0-8)

Conference USA West Division's Potential NFL Talent:

(These are guys playing in the conference this year who are already on NFL team's radars)

Jeff Driskel - QB (Louisiana Tech)

Kenneth Dixon - RB (Louisiana Tech)

Aaron Jones - RB (UTEP)

Vernon Butler - DT (Louisiana Tech)

Xavier Woods - FS (Louisiana Tech)