C-USA West
 
1)  Houston - The Cougars had a satisfying yet disappointing season in 
2009, notching upsets over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech on the way to 
ten wins.  Losses in three of their last five games was a letdown after 
such a promising start for Houston, who will look to rebound from 
failing to capture the conference title with the return of every 
significant skill player on offense, including quarterback Case Kennum. 
  Keenum has a great chance to duplicate his spectacular numbers from 
last season, and scoring will be no problem for the Cougars.  The 
question mark will come on defense, with a new coordinator, a new 
scheme, and several new faces.  If that side of the ball can gel 
quickly, then Houston could be looking at another ten win season, with 
a conference title this time around more certain.  Prediction:  10-2 
overall, 7-1 in C-USA.
 
2)  Tulsa - The Golden Hurricane were easily the most surprising team 
in the conference last year, albeit because they failed to live up to 
their preseason hype as conference favorites.  Most of that cast 
returns, including stud wideout and return man Damaris Johnson, and it 
hard to believe that with one of the more talented teams in the 
conference that Tulsa will drop as many games as they did last year.  
Of course like most teams in C-USA, the performance of the defense will 
dictate whether Tulsa can move back into the upper tier of the 
division.  Although the schedule isn't easy, look for the Golden 
Hurricane to find enough success to be in the hunt for the division 
when they travel to Houston in November.  Prediction:  8-4 overall, 6-2 
in C-USA.
 
3)  SMU - The Mustangs had a huge turnaround in 2009 under June Jones, 
winning eight games, the culmination being a 35 point demolition of 
Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.  Most of the skill players return on 
offnese, with quarterback Kyle Padron leading the way.  The Mustangs 
did lose their best player in receiver and return man Emmanuel Sanders, 
but the rest of offense should be able to score enough to keep the 
Mustangs competitive.  The defense has some veterans, and the younger 
players on that side of the ball are talented.  Look for SMU to earn a 
bowl berth again this year, but they are still a year away from 
competing for the divison.  Prediciton:   7-5 overall, 6-2 in C-USA.
 
4) UTEP - Like Tulsa, the Miners failed to live up to expectations last 
season, showing their potential in a win over Houston and the sad 
reality in losses to Tulane, Rice, and Memphis.  Mike Price does have 
some talent returning on offense in running back Donald Buckram, who 
should find success again this year behind a veteran offensive line.  
Again, like most other teams in the conference, defense was the teams 
undoing.  That area should improve this season, but by how much will 
determine whether UTEP can break a four year bowl drought.  A soft 
schedule gives the Miners a chance to fulfill that expectation, with a 
home game against SMU on November 6th being pivotal in the Miners bowl 
hopes.  Prediciton:  7-5 overall, 4-4 in C-USA.
 
5) Rice - The Owls struggled to do much right last year, although they 
did win two of their last three.  Transfers will lead the way on 
offense this year, notably sophomore Taylor Cook from Miami at 
quarterback.  Their is some experience at receiver, and the offensive 
line is somewhat intact.  With a new scheme and so many new faces, the 
Owls must adjust quickly to find success.  One of the worst defenses in 
the country last season returns several starters, but for Rice to hope 
to have a winning record their must be major improvement.  Don't look 
for that to happen just yet.  Rice does have a favorable schedule, and 
home games against Northwestern and Baylor will show if the Owls have 
the potential to eek out a few victories or if this season will be a 
repeat of last year's two victory campaign.  Prediction:  3-9 overall, 
2-6 in C-USA.
 
6)  Tulane - This could be Bob Toledo's swan song in New Orleans, as he 
has averaged three wins per season heading into season number four at 
the helm.  The Green Wave did show some promise last year with the 
emergence of quarterback Ryan Griffin, who performed well as a 
freshman, notably at home.  Virtually all of the offensive line and the 
Green Wave's best receiver return this year, but the rest of the 
offense and most of the defense are untested.  The defense should 
improve, and the good news is that the Green Wave have seven home games 
on the docket.  Look for another agonizing season for Toledo, who has a 
team that is good enough to be competitive but lacking the firepower to 
improve their win total from 2009.  Prediction:  3-9 overall, 1-7 in 
C-USA.
 
Conference Championship - Houston over Southern Miss
 
Offensive MVP - Case Keenum, Houston
Defensive MVP - Mario Harvey, Marshall