2015-16 College Football Preview: Conference USA (East Division)

Yesterday's USB's College Football Preview focused on the Conference U.S.A.'s West Division. Today we will focus on the Conference U.S.A.'s East Division.

Isn't that weird how it works out?

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

Conference U.S.A.

East Division

1. Marshall Thundering Herd

2014 Record: 13-1 (7-1)


Head Coach: Doc Holliday (40-25 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 18 (287.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 8 (271.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 3 (45.6 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 18 (21.0 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Rakeem Cato (3,903 passing yards, 59.2% completions, 40 TD's, 13 INT's)

Rushing - Devon Johnson (206 carries, 1,767 rushing yards, 17 TD's)

Receiving - Tommy Shuler (92 receptions, 1,138 receiving yards, 9 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Devon Johnson (RB), Angelo Jean-Louis (WR), Davonte Allen (WR), Michael Selby (C), Sebastian Johansson (LG), Clint Van Horn (RT), Jarquez Samuel (DT), D.J. Hunter (LB), Corey Tindal (CB), Taj Letman (SS), A.J. Leggett (FS), Tyler Williams (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Delvin Weems (RB), Larry Dunnon (WR), Reggie Rogers (WR), Channing Hames (DL), Marquis Couch (LB), Doyle Grimes (LB), Damien Dozier (LB), Von Davis (DB), Antonio Howard (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Purdue
vs. @ Ohio
vs. Norfolk State
vs. @ Kent State
vs. Old Dominion
vs. Southern Mississippi
vs. @ Florida Atlantic
vs. North Texas
vs. @ Charlotte
vs. @ Middle Tennessee
vs. Florida International
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Western Kentucky
BYE WEEK


Conference U.S.A. Title Game: vs. Louisiana Tech (L)


Early Prediction: 11-2 (7-1)

2. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

2014 Record: 8-5 (4-4)


Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (8-5 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 2 (374.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 69 (160.3 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 6 (44.4 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 124 (39.9 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Brandon Doughty (4,830 passing yards, 67.9% completions, 49 TD's, 10 INT's)

Rushing - Leon Allen (272 carries, 1,542 rushing yards, 13 TD's)

Receiving - Jared Dangerfield (69 receptions, 825 receiving yards, 11 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Brandon Doughty (QB), Leon Allen (RB), Jared Dangerfield (WR), Taywan Taylor (WR), Tyler Higbee (TE), Darrell Williams (RG), Brandon Ray (LG), Forrest Lamp (LT), Derik Overstreet (DE), Jontavious Morris (DT), Gavin Rocker (DL), Bryan Shorter (DT), Dejon Brown (LB), Nick Holt (LB), Prince Charles Iworah (CB), Marcus Ward (SS), Branden Leston (FS), Garrett Schwettman (K), Joseph Occhipinti (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Quin Jernighan (WR), DeVon Quincy (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Vanderbilt
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. @ Indiana
vs. Miami (OH)
vs. @ Rice
vs. Middle Tennessee
vs. @ North Texas
vs. @ LSU
vs. @ Old Dominion
vs. Florida Atlantic
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Florida International
vs. Marshall
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 8-4 (8-0)

3. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

2014 Record: 6-6 (5-3)


Head Coach: Rick Stockstill (57-55 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 76 (217.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 32 (213.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 49 (31.6 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 96 (31.5 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Austin Grammer (2,557 passing yards, 65.4% completions, 17 TD's, 12 INT's)

Rushing - Reggie Whatley (113 carries, 767 rushing yards, 7 TD's)

Receiving - Marcus Henry (40 receptions, 527 receiving yards, 4 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Austin Grammer (QB), Shane Tucker (RB), Ed'Marques Batties (WR), Christian Collis (WR), Josh Chester (C), Daniel Stephens (RG), Darius Johnson (LG), Maurquice Shakir (RT), Patrick McNeil (DT), Shaquille Huff (DT), Alexandro Antoine (DE), T.T. Barber (LB), Trey Wafford (LB), Jared Singletary (CB), Kevin Byard (SS), Xavier Walker (FS), Cody Clark (K)


Top Incoming Players:  John Urzua (QB), Ruben Garnett (RB), Terelle West (WR), Myles Harges (LB), Nick Beasley (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Jackson State
vs. @ Alabama
vs. Charlotte
vs. @ Illinois
vs. Vanderbilt
vs. @ Western Kentucky
vs. Florida International
vs. @ Louisiana Tech
BYE WEEK
vs. Marshall
vs. @ Florida Atlantic
vs. North Texas
vs. @ UTSA
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 6-6 (5-3)

4. Florida International Golden Panthers

2014 Record: 4-8 (3-5)


Head Coach: Scott Satterfield (7-5 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 115 (168 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 107 (125.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 101 (23 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 41 (24.8 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Alex McGough (1,680 passing yards, 50.4% completions, 14 TD's, 10 INT's)

Rushing - Anthon Samuel (132 carries, 582 rushing yards, 5 TD's)

Receiving - Jonnu Smith (61 receptions, 710 receiving yards, 8 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Alex McGough (QB), Alex Gardner (RB), Ya'Keem Griner (TE), Jonnu Smith (TE), Jordan Budwig (LG), Aaron Nielsen (RT), Dieugot Joseph (LT), Imarjaye Albury (DT), Lars Koht (DT), Michael Wakefield (DE), Davison Colimon (LB), Treyvon Williams (LB), Anthony Wint (LB), Richard Leonard (CB), Jeremiah McKinnon (CB), Austin Taylor (K), Jose Laphitzondo (P)


Top Incoming Players: Christian Alexander (QB), Maurice Alexander (QB), Terry Bennett (RB), Mac Carey (TE)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ UCF
vs. @ Indiana
vs. N.C. Central
vs. @ Louisiana Tech
vs. @ Massachusetts
vs. UTEP
vs. @ Middle Tennessee
vs. Old Dominion
vs. @ Florida Atlantic
vs. Charlotte
vs. @ Marshall
vs. Western Kentucky
BYE WEEK
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 5-7 (4-4)

5. Old Dominion Monarchs

2014 Record: 6-6 (4-4)


Head Coach: Bobby Wilder (14-10 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 16 (292.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 86 (149.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 41 (32.7 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 115 (38.0 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Taylor Heinicke (3,476 passing yards, 63.2% completions, 30 TD's, 16 INT's)

Rushing - Ray Lawry (134 carries, 947 rushing yards, 16 TD's)

Receiving - Antonio Vaughan (63 receptions, 1,019 receiving yards, 12 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Ray Lawry (RB), Zach Pascal (WR), David Washington (WR), Melvin Vaughn (WR), Tyler Burns (RG), Tyler Fisher (LG), Darius Garcia (RT), Connor Mewbourne (LT), Poncho Barnwell (DE), Martez Simpson (LB), T.J. Ricks (LB), Fellonte Misher (SS), Justice Davila (FS), Satchel Ziffer (K), Jarrett Cervi (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Kesean Strong (RB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Eastern Michigan
vs. Norfolk State
vs. N.C. State
vs. Appalachian State
vs. @ Marshall
BYE WEEK
vs. Charlotte
vs. @ Florida International
vs. Western Kentucky
vs. @ UTSA
vs. UTEP
vs. @ Southern Mississippi
vs. Florida Atlantic
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 4-8 (3-5)

6. Charlotte 49ers

2014 Record: 5-6


Head Coach: Brad Lambert (0-0 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 0 (first year in division-1)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 0 (first year in division-1)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 0 (first year in division-1)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 0 (first year in division-1)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - first year in division-1 football

Rushing - first year in division-1 football

Receiving - first year in division-1 football


Top Returning Players: Matt Johnson (QB), Justin Bolus (RB), Kalif Phillips (RB), Trent Bostick (WR), Austin Duke (WR), Thomas La Bianca (C), Casey Perry (LG), Danny Book (RT), Jamal Covington (LT), Devon Johnson (DE), Brandon Banks (DE), Larry Ogunjobi (DT), Mark Pettit (LB), Karrington King (LB), Devin Pearson (DB), Anthony Covington (DB), Branden Dozier (FS), Blake Brewer (K), Arthur Hart (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Michael Holmes (TE)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Georgia State
vs. Presbysterian
vs. @ Middle Tennessee
vs. Florida Atlantic
vs. Temple
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Old Dominion
vs. Southern Mississippi
vs. Marshall
vs. @ Florida International
vs. UTSA
vs. @ Kentucky
vs. @ Rice
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 3-9 (2-6)

7. Florida Atlantic Owls

2014 Record: 3-9 (2-6)


Head Coach: Charlie Partridge (3-9 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 92 (199.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 62 (163.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 97 (24 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 110 (34.4 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Jaquez Johnson (2,215 passing yards, 57.8% completions, 17 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - Jay Warren (121 carries, 571 rushing yards, 2 TD's)

Receiving - Rodney Whitehead (76 receptions, 706 receiving yards, 6 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Jaquez Johnson (QB), Greg Howell (RB), Jenson Stoshak (WR), Dillon DeBoer (RG), Mikingson Marsaille (LG), Reggie Bain (LT), Nick Internicola (DE), Trey Hendrickson (DE), Trevon Coley (DT), Brandin Bryant (DT), Robert Relf (LB), Cre'Von LeBlanc (CB), Greg Joseph (K), Dalton Schomp (P)


Top Incoming Players:  Daniel Parr (QB), Kal-El Williams (RB), Tarrick Thomas (OL), Jaye Miner (LB), Rodrick Archer (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Tulsa
vs. Miami (FL)
vs. Buffalo
vs. @ Charlotte
BYE WEEK
vs. Rice
vs. Marshall
vs. @ UTEP
vs. Florida International
vs. @ Western Kentucky
vs. Middle Tennessee
vs. @ Florida
vs. @ Old Dominion
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 3-9 (1-7)

Conference USA East Division's Potential NFL Talent:

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

Brandon Doughty - QB (Western Kentucky)

Jaquez Johnson - QB (Florida Atlantic)

Devon Johnson - RB (Marshall)

Leon Allen - RB (Western Kentucky)

Jonnu Smith - TE (Florida International)

Tyler Higbee - TE (Western Kentucky)

Clint Van Horn - OT (Marshall)

T.T. Barber - LB (Middle Tennessee)

D.J. Hunter - LB (Marshall)

A.J. Leggett - S (Marshall)

Kevin Byard - S (Middle Tennessee)