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Monday, 13 June 2005 |
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 | | Returning 10 starters the Louisville D looks tough - Photo by AP | Aside from the MAC, no other conference puts greater fear in the hearts of the "big schools" than teams from C-USA. Florida State, Ohio State, Northwestern, Texas, and more will all get face-to-face with that fear this year as they meet a handful of schools from the unheralded C-USA.Not to belabor the point here, but C-USA is quality football. Unfortunately, few critics want to admit that teams like Louisville or Cincinnatti can play with the likes of a Florida State or OSU. So like the giant killers in the MAC, C-USA continues this year with some impressive OOC schedules in hopes of gaining the respect of pollsters everywhere.
Fortunately for the conference, Louisville looks poised to have a break-out year and with a bit of luck the rest of the conference can ride their coattails to greater recognition. When the Seminoles of Florida State roll into Louisville on the 26th of September the Cardinals will be ready to play. Both teams look to be undefeated, and the Thursday night game is the biggest for the Cardinals all season. If they can manage to get by an improved FSU team they have a legitimate shot at a BCS bowl to close their campaign.
The Cardinals should be the best team in CUSA this year. With an All-Star QB in Dave Ragone, and a vicious defense (17.8 ppg) that returns ten starters, the Cardinals look unstoppable. That said, the true inconference tests for the Cardinals will come on two consecutive weeks in Novmber when Louisville meets Cincinnati and Southern Miss. Though not the elite team that Louisville is, both of these teams bring enough to the table to cause a Cardinal stumble.
If the Cardinals can survive the games with Cinci and Southern Miss. they win the conference hands down. If not, The earlier game (Oct 19th) between Cinci and Southern Miss. will have far greater ramifications.
So here's the conference breakdown:
Louisville - The powerhouse. Led by QB Dave Ragone this bunch should win CUSA. A huge game at home versus Florida State can make or break their BCS hopes this season.
Cinci. - If the Bearcats can offer a bit of pass protection this year (28 sacks a year ago) QB Gino Guidulgi has the potential to be amazing (2500+ yds and 16 TD last season). Combine this with three returning receivers and a Groza Award winning kicker, and Cinci has the potential to put some big numbers on the board. A shored up defense will improve over last year and should propel the Bearcats to second in the league. Big games on the schedule include Ohio State on the 21st of Sept. and at Louisville on November 9.
Southern Miss. - Southern Miss should challenge both Louisville and the Bearcats for the top of the conference. With the majority of their "tough" games at home this year (Louisville, Cinci., ECU, and Memphis) the Golden Eagles look to return to their former greatness after finishing 4th in the conference the last two years. Game two against the Fighting Illini should give an idea about where they are in their quest.
TCU - A rough schedule could be one of the few things keeping TCU from the front of CUSA. The Frogs face major opposition away from home (Cinci., Louisville, and ECU) and also visit Northwestern in a vicious "5-day 2 games" routine to begin the season. The Frogs will be solid all around and could challenge for the top spot if the cards fall right.
ECU - One of the most offensively exciting teams in the league, the Pirates look to build a 5-2 in conference record to something more impressive than the mediocre 6-6 they finished last year. The Pirates lost a number of key players and the defensive front looks suspect with 3 new linemen and 2 new backers. Additionally, the schedule pits the Pirates at Louisville and at Southern Miss. Neither of these will be easy and we see the Pirates losing ground this year.
Memphis - An improved Tiger team nearly finished last season with a winning record. If QB Danny Wimprine can stay healthy, he should improve on his 1300+ yds. and 14 TDs in just nine games last season. Look for Memphis to be a middle-tier team that is still a few years from being in the top of CUSA.
Tulane - An offensive power with no defense. If Tulane played BYU the teams would score 100 each. That said, Tulane should finish solidly in the middle of the pack this year and get creamed when Texas comes to town on the 28th of September.
UAB - The Blazers need a lot of help on D as the front four of their 4-2-5 have left for the NFL. Combined with a difficult schedule ( at Florida, at Cinci., at Louisville) and I doubt the Blazers are headed for the league crown.
Houston - The Cougars might have some chance of stumbling into the middle of the CUSA pack this year. With a soft schedule early, (Rice, Tulane, and Louisana Lafayette) Houston might just start 3-0. Too bad they'll get pummeled in week four by the Longhorns (who seem to like to play the weakest teams in CUSA). Regardless, at 3-1 heading into the CUSA schedule, Houston may just have the confidence necessary to pick up a win or two.
Army - Army still appears a few years away from the elusive middle-of-the-pack status they hope someday to achieve. Thy should improve over last year's miserable 3-8 record but not by much.
So for a recap, here is the OCF pre-season rank of CUSA:
1. Louisville
2. Cinci
3. S. Miss.
4. TCU
5. ECU
6. Memphis
7. Tulane
8. UAB
9. Houston
10. Texas Longhorns (Their two victories aren't enough to push them higher...)
11. Army
Care to disagree? Let me know in the forums here:
http://www.onlycollegefootball.com/forums/
**As an FYI - The Longhorn comment is a joke. No need to send me email noting that Texas is in the Big12. Check out the Big12 preview in mid-August for our real comments on Texas**
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