As a Fan (Ok, I BLEED Black & Gold) of Southern Miss & avid follower of CUSA here's my 2008 CUSA Predictions:

CUSA WEST

1) TULSA- With 14 Starters back (9 on Offense), #2 rated O-Line, SKILL at WR & RB's & EASY Schedule(Don't Play ECU or USM).....BIG Question is Who plays QUARTERBACK?

2) Houston- My Surprise Team in the WEST. New Head Coach Kevin Sumlin comes over from Oklahoma(OC there in 06 &07) They have an experienced QB & 7 Starters back on Defense.

3) UTEP- Head Coach Mike Price enters his 5th yr with the Miners. (Maybe his Last?) 12 Starters return including QB Trevor Vittatoe.

4) SMU- New Head Coach June Jones WILL turn this ONCE proud program around....just not this yr! Give Jones 2-3 yrs & this team will compete for a CUSA Title.

5) Rice- QB Chase Clement & 16 Starters back SHOULD make the OWLS competitive this yr.

6) Tulane- Bob Toledo has the Green Wave headed in the Right Direction, but with the lose of Matt Forte(#2 DC Bears) & a VERY Tough Schedule.........They Finish last.

CUSA EAST 

1) EAST CAROLINA- Head Coach Skip Holtz has QB Patrick Pinkney & 16 Starters back. (9 on DEFENSE) 

2) UCF- The #1 RATED D in CUSA (9 Starters Back) highlight Head Coach George O'Leary's 5th yr with the Knights. But HOW do they REPLACE RB Kevin Smith?

3) Southern Miss- New Head Coach Larry Fedora WILL have the Golden Eagles in the Race for CUSA. All the PUNDITS have USM with a Losing Record.....IMO 8-4 & another Bowl Game! 

4) Marshall- Head Coach Mark Snyder (4th yr) has his Best Team in Huntington,WV. 17 Starters Back & My Surprise Team in the CUSA.

5) Memphis- Tigers have 15 Starters back. WILL figure in the East Race.

6) UAB- 2nd yr Head Coach Callaway will have 73 Scholarship Players this yr, but the REBUILDING Continues.

Great stuff Chuck. I agree with you about Marshall being a sleeper. The only slight disagreement I have is I think Tulane is going to be much better in Bob Toledo's second season. I think they are going to be a solid "Bet on" team this year. You can start your predictions for 2009 too if you want by putting SMU No. 1.

I'm awarding you a Gold Star per the Pregame Constitution's goal of informing and entertaining the Pregame community:

http://pregame.com/forums/forums/t/54494.aspx

Congrats buddy, you've just earned 5 entries into our Pregame Rewards Program for a chance at $1000 in cash!

Remember, all you have to do to nominate a post is simply SEND AN EMAIL to forums@pregame.com whenever you see something you believe deserves a star.

 TR,

        Thanks for the Gold Star! Tulane has a BRUTAL Schedule. They may be improved & it not show up in the WIN Column! Which MEANS Loses Game but "Gets the COVER"!!!! 

 I agree with most of your rankings Chuck, but I don't like SMU that high this year, I don't think Tulane will finish last, and because I believe East Carolina and UCF are basically even, I give the edge to the Knights because the game is in Orlando this year.  I think we'll have a rematch of last year's C-USA Championship but this time Tulsa beats UCF.

Chuck great post cant wait till football season so i can make some cash.

gl this year and keep the posts comming