G5 SPORTS , NEWS AND ISSUES: 12 QUESTIONS FACING GANG OF 5 SCHOOLS ON THE EVE OF THE 2015 FOOTBALL SEASON

TULSA HOPES TO TURN THINGS AROUND THIS YEAR WITH NEW HEAD COACH PHILIP MONTGOMERY

G5 BLOG ORIGINAL CONTENT

HOW WILL THE AAC YOUNG GUNS PERFORM?

The AAC struggled last season in football. TULSA , SMU AND HOUSTON fired their head coach's and AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco has made it clear to all of the league's Presidents that now is the time to put up or shut up. Responding to the need to win and win now, TULSA, SMU and HOUSTON went out and hired a trio of competent, charismatic, and hard charging coaches. Phillip Montgomery (TULSA) Tom Herman ( HOUSTON) and Chad Morris(SMU) start this season with teams that have underperformed and struggled to attract talented players. These 3 coaches join Matt Rhule( TEMPLE) and Bob Diaco( UNCONN) and Justin Fuente (MEMPHIS) as talented up and coming leaders. The AAC is going to need all 6 of these Head Coaches to have success and to develop the AAC into the challenger league Mike Aresco wants it to be. It will be interesting to watch and see which of the 3 new Head Coaches will get out of the gate the fastest.

IS WINTER COMING FOR NORTH TEXAS ?

North Texas enjoyed a superb season in 2013, going 9-4 and earning their first winning season in over a decade. Last year however, felt like the Mean Green of old as North Texas struggled with a 4-8 record. This season is going to be a pivotal one for Head Coach Dan McCarney. McCarney is an old school leader who also happens to really believe that North Texas can be a top Gang of 5 school due to the proximity of talented recruits and the large North Texas alumni base.

The problem for McCarney , however, is that his recruiting record at North Texas has been less than stellar. Another bad year and not only is McCarney's job in jeopardy, but North Texas could be looking at another long drought of winning.(sports teams have an uncanny ability to repeat history, both good and bad)

The news is not all bad for the Mean Green as they did showcase some quality talent at this years Spring Game. Still, if North Texas gets off to a slow start look for the North Texas faithful to begin to wonder if Winter is Coming. ( for a closer look at North Texas click here:NORTH TEXAS LINK)

WHO WILL LEAD BOISE STATE ?

I have not jumped on the Boise State band wagon this season because I do not believe any team who is breaking in a new QB should be anointed pre season front runners in anything. How the QB competition at Boise unfolds this year will make or break the Broncos. The front runners to take over from last years very solid Bronco QB Grant Hendrick, are Sophomores Ryan Finley and Tommy Stuart. Both Stuart and Finley saw action in the Boise State Spring game this past April. Neither Finley or Stuart looked commanding in the role. Finley however, is reportedly in the drivers seat to win the starting job. While Boise State has some of the best talent among any of the Gang of 5 schools, if Finley or Stuart fail to perform, Broncos fans will be in for a long blue season.(for a closer look at the MWC and Boise click here: MWC)

WILL SOUTHERN MISS MAKE IT TO A BOWL GAME THIS SEASON ?

Southern Miss has a long and proud history of winning. The Eagles recent fall from grace has been well documented.( Southern Miss looks for a return to normal link). Now , as Southern Miss Head Coach Todd Monken prepares for his 3rd season at the helm things look like they may have finally turned the corner for the beleaguered Eagle program. Monken's squad returns the most important elements from last years offense including the talented Rb Ito Smith. The Eagles also have a slate of new transfers to work with including former Oklahoma defensive tackle Quincey Russell.

If Southern Miss can get more production from the QB position this year and the defensive unit finds a way to gel, the Eagles have a good chance to make a Bowl game this year for the first time since 2011.

JUST ONE QUESTION FOR THE MAC

Can anyone else make MAC headlines this year besides NIU?

WILL THE PIRATES FINALLY OVER PERFORM VS UNDER PERFORM ?

ECU has a great fan base and football tradition. Head Coach Ruffin McNeil is a valuable commodity to the Pirate program. Entering his 6th year however, the Pirates have failed to win a conference championship and finish the year ranked. With a defensive unit lead by the ubber talented Zeke Bigger and an Offensive line that returns all 5 starters from last year, this could be the year that ECU finishes the season as strongly as it starts it. Life in Greenville is not all rosy however, as the Pirates have to replace QB Shane Carden. Look for red shirt Sophomore Kurt Benkurt( highly recruited player from Florida) to take over the QB reigns from Carden. ( link:ECU fan base)

HOW WILL BYU RESPOND TO BRUTAL SCHEDULE ?

BYU Qb Taysom Hill has recovered from last years season ending injury just in time to face a slate of talented teams on the BYU schedule this year. With games against Nebraska, Boise, UCLA, Michigan State, Cincy and ECU, BYU is either going to have one its best seasons ever or limp to the finish line. Look on the bright sight Cougar fans, playing Memphis in a Bowl game this year is highly unlikely.

HOW BAD WILL UNC-CHARLOTTE LOOK IN THIER INAUGURAL CONFERENCE USA SEASON ?

Look for the 49er's to struggle early and often as they begin play in their inaugural Conference USA season. Life is about to get ugly for Charlotte fans who have been watching the 49er's play football against sub par teams over the last couple of years. Make no mistake, Charlotte is no ODU, Georgia Southern or App State. They simply have not been a football program long enough to have the cache that these recent FBS programs do. Charlotte grocery stories will need to stock up on brown paper bags this year as 49er fans will be looking for appropriate mid year game attire. Get the popcorn and grimace faces ready. (Charlotte a program to watch link)

ULL FOOTBALL: SEE THE QUESTION FOR ECU THIS SEASON AND REPEAT

CAN GUNNER KIEL LEAD THE BEARCATS TO THE ACCESS BOWL THIS YEAR ?

Gunner Kiel's unorthodox journey has led him to the Cincinnati Bearcats where the former Notre Dame QB finally looks at home. Kiel is one of the best Qb's in College football and the Bearcats have great speed at almost every position on the filed, especially at the WR and Rb. If Gunner can lead Cincy to the ACCESS Bowl this year, Kiel could prove many of his critics wrong. Winning is the best revenge an athlete can have. Kiel would have this if he can lead Cincy to the most important Gang of 5 football game.

WILL UTEP CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ?

I have always rooted for the UTEP Miners. The Miners have learned to compete with much fewer resources than their Texas FBS football counterparts There is also much to like about the Miners Head Coach, Sean Kugler. Kugler has UTEP headed in the right direction. He also returns all 5 starting lineman from last seasons Bowl team, a plus for any squad. Just how much the Miners will improve from last years team however, is a big unknown. If Kugler can get the Miners to a Bowl game again this season , UTEP could be on the road to many years of competitive and even Championship football.

WILL TROY WIN MORE THAN 3 GAMES THIS YEAR ?

When fans think about the Sun Belt Conference the Troy Trojans immediately come to mind. Last year the Trojans were bad, really bad. After limping to the end of season with a dismal 3-9 record, the Trojans will be looking to rebound this year. Troy, winners of 5 Sun Belt Championships, will be breaking in a new head coach this season in Neal Brown. Brown replaces long time Troy Head Coach Larry Blakeney. Just how many games Troy wins this year will be dependent on how well and how fast Brown can groom enough talent to compete with the likes of Ga Southern, App State, ULL and Ark State.

LIGHTNING ROUND:

CAN MEMPHIS HEAD COACH KEEP THE PARTY GOING ?

Justin Fuente is proving to be an excellent coach , motivator and tactician. Can he continue however, to keep the Memphis Tigers on the winning path?

WILL THE MARSHALL VS WKU GAME BE THE BEST G5 GAME TO WATCH THIS SEASON ?

Last year's Marshall-WKU game was a highly entertaining affair. The show down between the two Conference USA teams this season looks to be just as entering and important. The Marshall vs WKU match is set this year for Friday Nov 27 at High Noon on Fox tv.