Staff Report

 

IRVING, Texas — Middle Tennessee has been picked to win the 2016 East Division title, while Southern Miss was selected to repeat as West Division champions in a preseason vote conducted by a panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools.

Middle Tennessee was 6-2 in league play last season and earned a trip to the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.

The 2015 C-USA Freshman of the Year quarterback Brent Stockstill finished with a new league record for passing yards by a freshman with 4,005, leading the nation’s rookies in yards and TD passes (30).

Sophomore wide receiver Richie James had 108 receptions last year, a new Middle Tennessee record and the fourth-most in a single season in C-USA history.

The freshman All-American posted 1,346 receiving yards, fifth-best in C-USA annals.

The duo is two of 13 returning starters for head coach Rick Stockstill’s Blue Raiders.

Southern Miss tied for the most-improved team in the FBS last season, which included a West Division title and a third appearance in the C-USA Championship game.

New head coach and former Golden Eagles assistant Jay Hopson brings back seven starters on offense and six on defense as it seeks a return trip to the title game.

Senior quarterback Nick Mullens is back after becoming the first Golden Eagles player to be named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2015.

He ranked second in the league in yards (4,476) and touchdown passes (38), both school records, while tying for fourth nationally in TD tosses.

Junior running back Ito Smith and senior offensive lineman Cameron Tom are among the other Southern Miss standouts who have been named to preseason watch lists.

Defending C-USA Champion Westeern Kentucky, led by senior wide receiver Taywan Taylor (1,467 receiving yards and school records with 86 receptions and 17 TD catches) was picked second in the East, followed by Marshall and junior tight end Ryan Yuracek, who led the nation’s tight ends in TD receptions with 10.

Rounding out the media picks in the East are Florida Atlantic, FIU, Old Dominion and Charlotte.

Louisiana Tech, coming off back-to-back bowl victories with a 13-3 league record over the last two years and featuring two-time All-Conference USA senior safety Xavier Woods (56 tackles and five forced turnovers in 2015), was selected second, followed by Rice and its talented group of running backs, picked third.

Closing out the media picks in the West Division are UTEP, UTSA and North Texas, respectively.

The 12th annual Conference USA Football Championship Game, pitting the champions of the East and West Divisions, will be held Saturday, Dec. 3.

The 2016 C-USA Football season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 1.

C-USA media members predicted order of finish:

EAST DIVISION

1. Middle Tennessee

2. Western Kentucky

3. Marshall

4. Florida Atlantic

5. FIU

6. Old Dominion

7. Charlotte

WEST DIVISION

1. Southern Miss

2. Louisiana Tech

3. Rice

4. UTEP

5. UTSA

6. North Texas