C-USA Announces 2015 Preseason Media Football Poll
League Media Members Select WKU and Louisiana Tech to Win Divisional Titles
July 15, 2015
IRVING, Texas -- WKU has been picked to win the 2015 East Division title, while Louisiana Tech was selected to repeat as West Division champions. The poll was conducted by a panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools.
WKU closed out last season with five consecutive victories, including a win in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. In 2014, the Hilltoppers became the first FBS team to have a 4,500 yard passer and 1,500 yard rusher as senior QB Brandon Doughty threw for 4,830 and senior RB Leon Allen rushed for 1,542. Both players are back and Doughty, the 2014 C-USA MVP and Sammy Baugh Award winner, will also have four of his top six targets back in the fold. Nine starters, led by senior LB Nick Holt (111 tackles) are back to lead an experienced WKU defense.
Louisiana Tech reached the C-USA title game in its second year under head coach Skip Holtz and brings back six starters on offense and defense as it seeks a return trip. Senior RB Kenneth Dixon, the nation's leading active rusher (3,410 yards) who scored 28 total touchdowns last year (22 rushing), leads an offense that welcomes a new signal-caller in Florida senior transfer Jeff Driskel as well as three returning starters at wide receiver. The defense boasts a talented secondary that has seen junior S Xavier Woods and senior CB Adarius Barnes each named to preseason award watch lists, while S Kentrell Brice led the team in tackles with 86.
Defending C-USA Champion Marshall, led by senior RB Devon Johnson (sixth in FBS with 1,767 yards and 17 rushing TDs) was picked second in the East, followed by Middle Tennessee and senior S Kevin Byard, the nation's active leader in interceptions with 15. Rounding out the media picks in the East are Florida Atlantic, FIU, Old Dominion and newcomer Charlotte.
Rice, coming off three consecutive bowl games and led by senior QB Driphus Jackson (24 TDs in 2014), was selected second, followed by senior RB Aaron Jones (1,321 rushing yards and 14 TDs) and his UTEP Miners. Closing out the media picks in the West Division are Southern Miss, North Texas and UTSA, respectively.
The 11th annual Conference USA Football Championship Game, pitting the champions of the East and West Divisions, will be held Saturday, Dec. 5. The 2015 C-USA Football season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 3.
C-USA MEDIA MEMBERS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
EAST DIVISION
1. WKU
2. Marshall
3. Middle Tennessee
4. Florida Atlantic
5. FIU
6. Old Dominion
7. Charlotte
WEST DIVISION
1. Louisiana Tech
2. Rice
3. UTEP
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. UTSA
http://www.conferenceusa.com/collegesportslive/?media=499220