NORTH TEXAS AND MARSHALL PICKED BY CONFERENCE USA COACHES TO WIN WEST AND EAST DIVISIONS

Original G5 Blog content:

CONFERENCE USA

The Conference USA Head Coaches have spoken. North Texas and Marshall have been given the nod to win the West and East Divisions in Conference USA this year. Last year the Coaches Poll chose ECU to win the East and Tulsa to win the West. Neither school won their  respective divisions.

In a recent post, I picked Marshall to win the East and UTSA to win the West. For a more in depth look at the G5 Blog Conference USA 2014 picks click hereCONFERENCE USA 2014 PRESEASON PICKS.

In the post, I have North Texas finishing fourth in the West. There are too many question marks at the QB, Dline and Lb positions for the Mean Green to repeat last years very good season. Regardless of where they finish this year, North Texas fans have to be feeling good about their program at the moment. After a decade of poor play, North Texas is suddenly considered a player and real threat in their new conference,  Conference USA.

The Mean Green turn around can be credited to one man, Head Coach Dan McCarney. The former Iowa State Head Coach has taken a Mean Green program in the depths of irrelevance and brought them to a place of respect and quality play. For my money, McCarney is the best motivator in Conference USA and one of the best in all of College Football.  McCarney's  brand of coaching and  player philosophy  have been just what the North Texas faithful have been waiting for.

I expect North Texas to go through a rebuilding year this year and target the 2015 Football Season to regain their 2013 form. North Texas down year , however, is good news for UTSA.  The Roadrunners  with their combination of experienced players, and  excellent Head Coach in Larry Coker, are in the drivers seat to become the Conference USA West Division Champs this year. Look for their game against Rice on November 8th to solidify the Conference USA West Division race. Stay tuned.