2008 Conference USA Predictions

Jeff Alexander’s 2008 Conference USA predictions rate both sides of the league from top to bottom.  No other handicapper in the industry knows the mid-majors quite like Jeff, and that’s why he has the biggest advantage over the sportsbooks each and every season.

East

1st Place – Memphis Tigers

Memphis will win the East with one of the better passing games in the conference.  Memphis boasts a rare combination of four receivers who are 6’3’’ or taller to give it some of the best targets in the league.  A better running game should keep the air attack open for business.

2nd Place – UCF Knights

The Knights will rely on a steady defense which returns nine solid starters to stay in the race in 2008. The offense will be another story as losing star tailback Kevin Smith leaves them looking for a big play threat.

3rd Place – East Carolina Pirates

East Carolina is constructed in much the same mold as the Knights with nine solid starters returning on defense that it will lean on. 

4th Place – Southern Miss Golden Eagles

This could be the last year of struggles for quite some time for a program that is up and coming.  But without an experienced signal caller to run the spread this season, the Eagles will undoubtedly struggle.  They’ll go as far as running back Damion Fletcher can take them.

5th Place – Marshall Thundering Herd

Marshall will look nothing like some its good teams in recent history as there are too many questions concerning depth and experience.  Depending on too many young players rarely translates into wins.

6th Place – UAB Blazers

With paper-thin lines on both sides of the ball, UAB is not going to win the battle of the trenches very often in 2008.  UAB will improve behind QB Joe Webb, but another 6th place finish is imminent. 

West

1st Place – Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa boasted the best offense in the nation in 2007 and the Hurricane will be torching its opponents again, even without star QB Paul Smith.  With nine offensive starters returning, the Canes could be even stronger.

2nd Place – Houston Cougars

Houston’s defense will be among the best in Conference USA and that will be enough to keep them in the chase.  However, they lost too many skill players to win the league.  An experienced offensive line will cushion some of the blow as new starters will have that benefit.

3rd Place – UTEP Miners

The Miners will likely be the opposite of Houston this season.  They allowed 37 points per game in 2007, and without much improvement on the horizon, will have to win via shootout again.

4th Place – Tulane Green Wave

The Wave will not be able to float the loss of 2,000-yard rusher Matt Forte in 2008.  A tough road slate won’t help matters either.

5th Place – SMU Mustags

The Stangs made a great hire in getting June Jones, but it’s going to take him some time to build this team into a winner as he’s virtually starting from scratch.  A tough first year could make him wish he was back in Hawaii.

6th Place – Rice Owls

It really doesn’t matter what QB Chase Clement and wide receiver Jarett Dillard are able to accomplish in terms of the team’s success, because the worst defense in the league will keep Rice in the basement.

Bet Conference USA at BetUS.com this season and get a great signup bonus when you make your first deposit. 

Scout.com weighs in with their 2008 Conference USA Predictions as well.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• 2008 Sun Belt Conference Predictions
• 2008 Big East Predictions
• 2008 MAC Predictions
• Central Florida-Marshall: Knights Continue Quest for C-USA Championship
• 2008 WAC Predictions

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