Going Out On A Limb: Conference USA Edition

Conference USA was formed in the 1990s from pieces of the now defunct Metro, Great Midwest and Southwest Conferences, though members of the former two were largely independents and thus a motivating factor in the move. C-USA then became something of a proving ground for the Big East, losing Louisville, Cincinnati and USF in the mid-2000s and soon, SMU, UCF, Memphis and Houston. Now, the league is restocking from the WAC and various Football Championship Subdivision conferences.

C-USA is a conference that has always been in flux, which has prevented it from establishing much of a winning legacy. It’s never sent a team to the Bowl Championship Series — Tulane would have gone in the system’s debut season (1998) were it the current, expanded field and Houston was a shoe-in last season before a title game meltdown against Southern Miss.

So with the conference once again facing transition, what limb could be more worth going out on than envisioning a scenario in which this is the year a C-USA team cracks the BCS?

David Piland and Charles Sims Lead Houston to The Orange Bowl

Case Keenum is gone, taking with him NCAA record book-eviscerating production and an impressive legacy. The last time UH played without Keenum was 2010, and the Cougars failed to make a bowl game. David Piland got the starting nod when Keenum was injured, so the heir to Keenum’s legacy has applicable experience. And Piland was not at fault for the Cougars’ disappointing ’10, having produced decent numbers (24 touchdowns, 2641 yards). He should flourish as the full-time starter, while getting a boost from the highly underrated Charles Sims.

Sims thrived in the spread air raid, averaging 7.5 yards per carry for over 800 on the campaign. Sims averaged a little less than 10 carries an outing. If his opportunities increase to around 12-14, he should easily surpass the 1000-yard mark. That would make for a nice combination with Piland airing it out.

Gone is Kevin Sumlin, who took the head coaching position at Texas A&M. Sumlin reinvigorated the aerial offensive assault that made UH a national powerhouse in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and he leaves the system in the capable hands of his former assistant, Tony Levine.

The Cougars do face challenges in the schedule. The non-conference includes a match-up with Louisiana Tech, which emerged as one of the surprises of 2011, and a trip to UCLA. The Bruins ruined UH’s 2010 two Septembers ago. UH must also travel to SMU, East Carolina and Marshall. SMU is one of the top teams in C-USA, and Marshall and ECU are each capable of reaching bowl games.

Otherwise, UH avoids the East’s two best teams, USM and UCF. Another perfect regular season is a challenge, but not impossible. Should the Cougars
return to the C-USA title game, they would almost assuredly draw USM again; UCF cannot win the division, while MU and ECU have a way to go before matching the Golden Eagles. Should a redux of last year’s title game occur, don’t except the same story.

Ineligible for the Conference Championship or Postseason, UCF Runs the League Table

The NCAA came down on UCF for a variety of infractions earlier this summer, handing the football program a one season bowl ban. That just happens to coincide with one of, if not the best Golden Knight team in the program’s short history. Calling this collection of Golden Knights the best says something, too, because UCF won 11 games in the 2010 season, and 10 in 2007 with Kevin Smith threatening NCAA rushing records.

Last season, UCF struggled but its signature defense remained stingy. The Golden Knights held opponents to 18 points per game and return several key contributors. Troy and Jonathan Davis combined for eight sacks, providing the pressure on the rush while AJ Bouye and Kemal Ishmael provide sticky coverage in the secondary.

Tyler Gabbert is eligible after his transfer from Missouri. He’ll fit in well with George O’Leary’s spread offense, while adding a new dynamic as a capable passer. Speaking of O’Leary, 2012 could be the end of his tenure in Orlando. UCF took a gamble hiring him, and he produced on the field. The NCAA sanctions and a multi-million dollar wrongful death decision against the university might have his days there numbered, but a strong season would send him out on as high a note as can be expected.

The Golden Knights play a brutal three-game stretch in the non-conference that includes a trip to Ohio State and home games against FIU and Mizzou, pitting Gabbert against his former team. In conference though, UCF avoids UH while drawing USM and SMU at home. UCF cannot bowl, but its not unrealistic to think it could finish with the conference’s best record and 10 wins.

UAB’s Offense Will Improve Tremendously First-Year Head Coach Garrick McGee

Garrick McGee helped mold two of the most prolific quarterbacks in the SEC of recent years while an assistant at Arkansas, Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson. His expertise should translate nicely for senior UAB quarterback Jonathan Perry. Perry was a two-way playmaker last season, rushing for a little south of 300 yards and passing for more than 2000. McGee hasn’t coached a dual threat quarterback in his previous stops at Northwestern and Arkansas. That should be advantageous to Perry’s development.

Steve Irvine of The Birmingham News reports that the new system is “quarterback driven,” yet reliant on numerous rushing looks. That means less emphasis on Perry carrying the ball, and an overall more varied look for opposing defense.

UAB ranked near the bottom of the FBS in scoring offense a season ago, averaging fewer than 21 points per game. Don’t expect a repeat under McGee. The Blazers could challenge for a bowl as a result.