I thought this was a pretty interesting preview about the C-USA's offensive stars including our very own Justin Willis.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/766889.html
As August draws closer, football fans around the country look upon their teams with the hope of a new year, knowing only that this could be the year! Of course only one team will have the ultimate glory of the Conference USA championship game and Liberty Bowl berth, so let's take an inside look at the key players in the race.
Top Offensive Players
Quarterback
1. Justin Willis - SMU
2. Chase Clement - Rice
3. David Johnson - Tulsa
SMU and Justin Willis may not win 6 games, but helming a June Jones offense likely means his numbers will be through the roof, assuming he can stay out of trouble off the field. Clement and Johnson can also be counted on to post gaudy numbers due to the systems in which they play.
Running Back
1. Damion Fletcher - Southern Miss
2. Tarrion Adams - Tulsa
No one is arguing that Damion Fletcher is far and away the best back in the league. With Kevin Smith, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson playing on Sundays, the field behind Fletcher remains for now a bunch of also-rans. The only exception is Tarrion Adams, who had an excellent 2007 season overshadowed by the monster numbers put up by Paul Smith at Tulsa.
Wide Receiver
1. Jarrett Dillard - Rice
2. Torris Magee - Southern Miss
3. Brennan Marion - Tulsa
Dillard has shown next-level skills over the last two years but his performance has been overshadowed by an awful team around him. Things may not be any better this year but he'll post great stats in spite of it. Magee should benefit from Larry Fedora's spread offense as they year progresses, and Marion is coming of a year where he averaged almost 32 yards per catch. Losing Paul Smith won't help but he will still be a threat to go deep on every play.
Tight End
1. Cody Slate - Marshall
2. Shawn Nelson - Southern Miss
Cody Slate has been one of the bright spots on an otherwise miserable Marshall team the past two years, and he is projected as a next-level talent. He will continue to shine if Marshall can find a quarterback to get him the ball. Shawn Nelson led Southern Miss in touchdowns and was third in receiving yards in 2007 and has size that creates matchup problems with linebackers and defensive backs alike.
Top Conference Games
1. ECU @ UCF - November 2nd: This game could very well decide the Eastern Conference race. ECU has to go on the road in a very tough venue, but UCF will be coming off a difficult road game at Tulsa that could yet again be a preview of the conference championship game. Both teams lost huge offensive weapons so whichever offense is rolling should have the edge here.
2. Tulsa @ Houston - November 15th: This one should decide things in the West, just as it did last year. Tulsa destroyed them last year so Houston will be looking for some revenge, but a new coaching regime will make this a wait and see year for the Cougars.
3. Southern Miss at UCF, November 8th: UCF will be be playing at home but on a short week after facing ECU on the previous Sunday night. Southern Miss will be coming off of what should be a layup at UAB, but they will have the tough BrightHouse Stadium crowd to contend with. This contest will help clear the picture in the race for the East division crown.
4.ECU at Southern Miss, November 15th
This is the last of a three week stretch that will see the top three horses in the Eastern division play each other. Unless UCF beats both ECU and Southern Miss, this game will decide who wins the East. ECU will be coming off a home contest against Marshall, a rematch of the game that cost ECU the East championship in 2007. Southern Miss is home after travelling to Orlando to play UCF the previous Saturday.
