CONFERENCE USA 2009 PREVIEW
July 20th, 2009 by Daniel Freer
For the two previous seasons, Conference USA has produced some of the top fantasy performers in the land.
In 2007….running backs like Kevin Smith, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Anthony Aldridge, and current Southern Mississippi RB Damion Fletcher (photo, thanks IconSMI) dominated the NCAA stats page.
In 2008…it was the quarterbacks…led by Fantasy College Blitz Fantasy Player of the Year Chase Clement, along with David Johnson…and still-active QBs Case Keenum (Houston), and Trevor Vittatoe (UTEP).
In 2009, it will be more of the same…as the top RBs, QBs, WRs will hail from CUSA schools. Do not be surprised if your fantasy league’s first picks come from CUSA.
For extended previews of Houston, Tulsa, and UTEP….click the respective links:
EAST CAROLINA PIRATES
Strengths: The Pirates have a deep backfield, especially if Dominique Lindsay (injury in 2008) and Norman Whitley (suspension) return for 2009. ECU will also have Kentucky transfer Brandon Jackson and Jonathan Williams in the Pirates backfield booty. An experienced offensive line is there to block for the backs. The defense returns seven starters from the 2008 squad, which, last seen, was picking off another Tulsa pass….a defense to pick late in your draft or free-agency/supplemental.
Weaknesses: Just like the Pac-10′s USC, the Pirates backfield depth can cause problems with fanatsy coaches, because carries will be split up, reducing individual production. QB Patrick Pinkney is a good QB, but not real fantasy-worthy, throwing for just 13 TDs in 2008. Ditto with WR Dwayne Harris, who had 58 catches, but only 1 TD, last season.
MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD
Strengths: RB Darius Marshall ran for over 1000 yards and 5 
TDs in 2008, and caught 16 passes. He is a good late-draft pick up. For those in TE-must-start leagues, TE Cody Slate (photo, thanks Scout.com) is one of the most consistent in America at the position, catching 40 passes and 8 TDs in 2008.
Weaknesses: Someone has to step up at QB, as neither Brian Anderson or Mark Cann is worth any fantasy consideration. Also, WR Darius Passmore was the team’s best receiver in 2008, and he is gone….which will affect the passing game more. The days of Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich are long gone in Huntington
MEMPHIS TIGERS
Strengths: RB Curtis Steele was a nice surprise last season, rushing for over 1200 yards and 7 TDs in 2008, and a good late-round pick up. If Arkelon Hall can stay healthy, he is a good QB (2275 pass yards, 13 TDs) with big, steady WRs in Carlos Singleton ( 791 rec. yards, 5 TDs) and Duke Calhoun (487 rec. yards, 3 TDs) to throw to. Also, their 2009 CUSA West matchups are UTEP, Houston, and Tulsa…so look for some shootouts.
Weaknesses: The offensive line returns only one regular starter, so it may be a few games before the Tigers offense gets in sync. Also, as talented as the WR corps is….they could be more dominant on the smaller DBs they face in CUSA games.
RICE OWLS
Strengths: Head Coach David Ratliff is an offensive-minded guy, so the drop-off in offensive production in 2009 should not be too drastic after losing the core of your offense. New QB Nick Fannuzi is an Alabama transfer that was highly-recruited out of high school, and, WRs Toren Dixon (598 rec yards, 5 TDs in 2008) and Corbin Smiter (487 rec. yards, 3 TDs) put up good numbers as secondary receivers. The three will be nice late-round pick ups. TE Taylor Wardlow had 3 TD catches as the number 2 TE last season.
Weaknesses: Losing the greatest hookup in NCAA history….QB Chase Clement and WR Jarrett Dillard (59 TD hookups)….will be hard to replace. Also, TE James Casey (1574 total yards, 19 total TDs), who did everything but park cars at Rice Stadium before games, left early for the NFL….and is just as big a loss as Clement and Dillard.
SMU MUSTANGS
Strengths: When June Jones is your head coach….you throw the football. Sophomore slinger QB Bo Levi Mitchell (photo, left, thanks Examiner.com) should improve on his 2008 numbers, where he threw for nearly 2900 yards and 24 TDs (but with 23 INTs). WRs Aldrick Robinson (1047 rec. yards, 11 TDs in 2008) and Emmanuel Sanders (958 rec. yards, 9 TDs) are great additions for your fantasy team….especially with the Mustangs not-too-difficult 2009 schedule.
Weaknesses: The Ponies rushed for just 497 yards as A TEAM last season….which probably had former SMU RB greats Craig James and Eric Dickerson hurling in their bathrooms from embarrassment. The strength of the offense is in its WR corps, so do not expect a much change in the rushing totals.
SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES
Strengths: RB Damion Fletcher (photo, above top, thanks IconSMI) has rushed for over 1000 yards in his first three seasons, and, even with coming off of suspension before the start of the 2009 pre-season workouts, he should have a big senior season. QB Austin Davis threw for over 3100 yards and 23 TDs in 2008, and added over 500 yards rushing and 9 TDs. Fletcher and (possibly) Davis will be gone early in your fantasy draft. WR Gerald Baptiste is a complimentary WR who can be a good late round pick-up.
Weaknesses: WR DeAndre Brown is an all-world player who had a huge true-frosh year, but is still having problems with a leg he broke in the New Orleans Bowl. Brown will be a huge loss. The number 2 receiver from last season, TE Shawn Nelson, has used up his eligibility.
TULANE GREEN WAVE
Strengths: RB Andre Anderson could be one of the best fantasy backs in 2009…if he stays healthy. In just over 6 games in 2008, he rushed for nearly 900 yards and 7 TDs, and caught 25 passes. An injury in game 7 knocked him out for the season. Anderson is as good as the two other outstanding Green Wave RBs from earlier this decade: Mewelde Moore and Matt Forte.
Weaknesses: The passing game….even though Tulane has decent QBs in Joe Kemp and Kevin Moore, they combined for 220 yards passing per game and just 10 TDs. Somehow, Tulane needs to get the ball to WR Jeramy Williams (16.2 yards per catch, 5 TD rec. in 2008).
UAB BLAZERS
Strengths: QB Joe Webb (photo, thanks IconSMI) is the Blazers 
offense, throwing for over 2300 yards and 10 TDs…with over 1000 yards rushing and 11 rushing TDs in 2008….nearly 3/4 of the total offense. With his entire offensive line returning, Webb should boost those numbers in 2009, making him a good fantasy QB pick.
Weaknesses: With Webb doing everything except renovations on historic Legion Field for the UAB program, there is not much fantasy-worthy talent around him, although WR Frantrell Forrest (2 TD catches in 2008) may be a breakout player this season…as he is Webb’s top target.
UCF KNIGHTS
Strengths: RB Brynn Harvey established himself as the featured back late in 2008, with some productive games towards the end of the season. He is one of the “sleeper” fantasy picks you will hear your fellow coaches and counterparts mention. Although the secondary will be hard-hit by graduation, the UCF defense is one to consider late-draft or free-agent/supplemental.
Weaknesses: The QB has been spotty in recent seasons, and although Rob Calabreese was a gamey QB as a frosh, the system will not let him produce, even with good WR talent around him. In 2007, with Kevin Smith toting the rock, UCF was one of the top offenses in the nation. Last season, without Smith in the backfield, UCF’s offense was more like “Silent Bob” in 2008, finishing dead last in the NCAA.
Related posts:
- CONFERENCE USA 2010 PREVIEW
- SUN BELT CONFERENCE 2009 PREVIEW
- MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE 2009 PREVIEW
- CONFERENCE USA 2008 ALL-FANTASY TEAM
- HOUSTON COUGARS 2009 PREVIEW
Tags: College Previews, CUSA, Kevin Smith, Silent Bob
