Conference USA almost
had an undefeated team and a New Year’s six entrant last season but Marshall
was upset in the conference championship game. There isn’t a team this year
that stands out as an undefeated threat but there does seem to be a lot of
offensive talent returning around the league.
Membership Changes
One of the last
changes from the most recent realignment phase is the addition and move up of
Charlotte to the FBS level. Charlotte’s program is in its infancy and makes
this move much like Old Dominion the previous FBS newcomer to Conference USA.
Charlotte will play a league schedule, but won’t be eligible for the
post-season this year. One of the few conferences with a subtraction, the
conference loses the UAB team after it was shut down earlier this year. I won’t
talk much about that sham but it looks like the program will be back in a
couple years. Lastly, Old Dominion is now a full member and post-season
eligible.
Coaching Changes
No coaching turnover
in the conference which is both a good and bad thing at the mid-major level. On
the one hand you get conference continuity that allows programs to grow, but on
the down side it means no one has performed at a high enough level to be
poached by the power five conferences. For now it’s fine, but too many years of
coaching stagnation and you have to wonder what’s going on.
