Wide Open West: Parity litters half of Conference USA

[Harry]

While Marshall was predicted in the preseason poll to coast through the East Division and finish first, the coaches thought much differently of the West Division with North Texas edging defending champion Rice, 66 points to 65.

Texas San-Antonio was a close third with 62 points as Tech (38), Southern Miss (24) and UTEP (18) accounted for the bottom three slots.

“I think there’s great balance, and the difference between winning and losing can be a play or can be an injury,” Holtz said at Conference USA Media Day last week.

“That’s why one of the things that’s going to go a long way in determining the team that wins this league is the team that can stay healthy and the team that can make some plays down the stretch in some close football games because you’re going to have them.”

As many of the coaches pointed out, preseason rankings don’t mean much. Tulsa, which is now in the American Athletic Conference, was picked to win the west last season before finishing in last place at 3-9.

Read more: http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20140729/SPORTS/307290039/Wide-Open-West-Parity-litters-half-Conference-USA-no-clear-favorite

[VideoEagle]

Parity is scary. I think anyone of Rice, UTSA or NT could beat the other two even on their home field. None of the top three are markedly better than the others. This is going to be a very interesting season.

[MeanGreenTexan]

I think all 3 teams losing their QBs as well as UNT & Rice losing some pretty stout other players only compounds the idea of parity during the preseason.

[Green Lantern]

Parity is scary. I think anyone of Rice, UTSA or NT could beat the other two even on their home field. None of the top three are markedly better than the others. This is going to be a very interesting season.

Agreed. Having to play both on the road is a uh...its a tough thing, but uh....