Conference USA shrinks from 14 squads in 2021 to just 11 in 2022. In 2023, the conference will be hardly recognizable with just 9 teams and only 5 remaining from 2021. He's a breakdown:
2022:
IN: None
OUT: Southern Miss, Old Dominion, Marshall (Sun Belt)
2023:
IN: New Mexico State (Independent), Liberty (Independent), Sam Houston State (FCS), and Jacksonville State (FCS)
OUT: UTSA, UAB, North Texas, Rice, Florida Atlantic, and Charlotte (AAC)
As a result of all this shuffling, there will be no more divisions and the top two teams will play for the conference championship. Here's a look at what is rapidly cementing itself as the worst of the worst.
UTSA:
LYR: 9 (12-2)
PR: 26
Prediction: 9-3
The Roadrunners shocked everyone to an 11-0 start before they were upended by North Texas in the last regular season game. Still, Frank Harris gave UTSA their best season ever and is back for more. The non-conference schedule is a little tougher, but the conference itself is not, so it should be easy pickings for the Roadrunners and a second straight appearance in the conference championship.
UAB:
Head Coach: Bill Clark (7th Season, 49-26)
LYR: 35 (9-4)
PR: 64
Prediction: 9-3
The Blazers finished their strong season with a stunning victory over BYU in the Independence Bowl. Now they look to build on that with Dylan Hopkins who was in the top ten in passing efficiency in the entire country. They have a favorable schedule until an end-of-the-season smackdown awaiting them in Baton Rouge. This team has been winning consistently since they were brought back in 2017, two years after they had disbanded the football program altogether.
Western Kentucky:
Head Coach: Ty Helton (4th Season, 23-16)
LYR: 42 (9-5)
PR: 67
Prediction: 8-5
It will be tough to replace the insanely talented Bailey Zappe but the Hilltoppers welcome transfer Jarret Doege. Doege originally spent two seasons at Bowling Green but is coming over from West Virginia. His playing style fits at Western Kentucky, but perhaps he wanted to get a free trip to Hawai'i which gives WKU an extra game to play. He'll also get a chance to upset the Hoosiers in Week 3.
UTEP:
Head Coach: Dana Dimel (5th Season, 12-33)
LYR: 67 (7-6)
PR: 83
Prediction: 6-6
The Miners trusted the process with Dimel and finally found a winning season and a bowl appearance. They'd like to avoid the falloff from last season when they finished losing five of their last six. They balance a trip to Oklahoma and a visit from Boise State with games against the two New Mexico schools.
Florida Atlantic:
Head Coach: Willie Taggart (3rd Season, 10-11)
LYR: 90 (5-7)
PR: 87
Prediction: 8-4
I think this is the year things come together for Willie Taggart at FAU after some disappointing seasons. N'Kosi Perry can make plays as he had his best season in four years (split between Miami and FAU). He'll have his two favorite targets back, but consistency is key for the Owls in 2022.
North Texas:
LYR: 80 (6-7)
PR: 96
Prediction: 5-7
The Mean Green rallied from a 1-6 start to end up in a made-up bowl game to accommodate the two extra teams that were bowl eligible. They were drubbed by Miami (OH), but still have to feel good about those end results. Austin Aune is back under center and he's got most of his offensive line back to protect him from the middling defenses of CUSA.
Middle Tennessee State:
Head Coach: Rick Stockstill (17th Season, 101-98)
LYR: 68 (7-6)
PR: 101
Prediction: 6-6
Only Mike Gundy, Kyle Whittingham, and Kirk Ferentz have been around longer than Stockstill at MTST. His steady hand continues to guide his teams to bowl wins and he added another with a Bahamas Bowl victory against Toledo. The offense is going to need a makeover as most of the starters have left, but Stockstill has shown that if not this year, then next year, they'll be ready to make noise.
Charlotte:
LYR: 94 (5-7)
PR: 108
Prediction: 4-8
The 49ers needed to win just one game in their last three, but failed to do so and missed their bowl bid. They've got some leadership on offense, but can they shake off a likely slow start.
La Tech:
Head Coach: Sonny Cumbie (1st Season)
LYR: 113 (3-9)
PR: 115
Prediction: 5-7
The Skip Holtz era fizzled out with seven losses in their final eight games, so Sonny Cumbie comes in to ramp up the offense. With no clear quarterback or running back, it might be tough in Ruston, but receiver Smoke Harris can provide some flash.
Rice:
Head Coach: Mike Bloomgren (5th Season, 11-31)
LYR: 103 (4-8)
PR: 120
Prediction: 2-10
It's now or never in year five for Bloomgren as Texas boosters at any school don't tolerate losing for long. With big holes at the skills position including quarterback, it could be another long year in Houston.
Florida International:
LYR: 130 (1-11)
PR: 128
Prediction: 2-10
With Butch Davis accusing the school of not caring about football, I'm sure MacIntyre feels great about taking over the reins of one of the nation's worst programs in 2021. Maybe they win a few more games because of a weak schedule, but with few starters returning to build off of, the Panthers will be starting from scratch.
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