2021 Conference USA Rankings
Conference USA West
1. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Why To Be Happy: The Bulldogs were going to be loaded with experience even before the NCAA exemption for seniors to get another year of eligibility. There are a few losses, but nothing that can’t be replaced without a problem. 2020 was a rebuilding year after a huge 2019, and now comes the payoff.
What To Work On: The offense has to find its mojo again. There wasn’t any running game, there wasn’t enough of a downfield passing attack, and everything stalled over the final few games.
Bottom Line: 5-5 as a Conference USA also-ran isn’t what the program is about at this point – and it won’t be this year. The pass rush has to emerge again, the O has to be better, and the experience has to translate into production.
2. UAB Blazers
Why To Be Happy: The defending Conference USA champs lose RB Spencer Brown to the next level, but they add Mississippi State’s Lee Witherspoon to a decent rotation of backs that should be fine. The defensive lie
What To Work On: It’s still not official yet, but the Blazers are likely going to lose a few of their strong senior defensive backs and just enough on the front to matter.
Bottom Line: Once again it won’t seem like the parts add up to a big season and a Conference USA championship. Once again, the Blazers will be right there at the very end with a shot at the conference title.
3. UTSA Roadrunners
Why To Be Happy: Jeff Traylor stepped into the job, won seven games, and now there’s life and hope for a program that has the potential to rise up quickly and be a real Conference USA player. Start with star RB Sincere McCormick leading an offense that should get just about everyone back, and keep going with a defense that’s returning enough to be okay, but …
What To Work On: There’s still a question mark about the seniors on the defensive fronts even returning. Even a few losses would matter, but the secondary should be solid. Now the O has to work on the passing game to take the heat off of McCormick.
Bottom Line: Now that the program knows what it’s like to win games, put up good fights against the better teams, and go bowling, it’s going to be Conference USA West title or bust.
4. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Why To Be Happy: The defense should be better. The Golden Eagles got a few Power Five transfers for the line and keeping LB Racheem Booth matters. Throw in a few Ole Miss defensive backs coming in, and the D that struggled so much – it could NEVER come up with a third down stop – got the boost.
What To Work On: Mojo. The Golden Eagles didn’t have it from the start in a loss to South Alabama to start the season and was never quite right throughout the coaching issues. The offense has to come up with more consistent playmakers and, again, the D has to be stronger.
Bottom Line: USM has its coach in Will Hall, who’ll want to get the running game working and up the tempo a bit more. As bad as the 3-7 2020 was, four of those losses were winnable. There’s a shot at a quick turnaround.
5. Rice Owls
Why To Be Happy: Things finally started to work late in the season with a stunning win over Marshall and a good performance against UAB. Moral victories aren’t any big deal, but the Owls were in all five games – winning two of them – and now there’s a nice nucleus coming back after starting nine underclassmen on offense late in the year
What To Work On: The offensive line has to be a whole lot better going forward. There wasn’t enough of a consistent running game, and there were way too many plays allowed behind the line. On the plus side, it was a young group that should grow a bit.
Bottom Line: It’s been a while for head coach Mike Bloomgren to try to build up the program, and it’s starting to come together in Year Four. The youth movement should start to pay off.
6. North Texas Mean Green
Why To Be Happy: Just about everyone from last year is back, but there’s work being done on the porous secondary. Logan Wilson from ULM and John Davis from Texas Tech will play roles at corner – the group needs the help. The offense wasn’t an issue last year and it certainly won’t be this time around with all the veterans. However …
What To Work On: The defense needs a whole lot more help than a few corner options. The Mean Green were dead last in the nation in yards allowed, starting with a run defense that was beyond miserable late in the year.
Bottom Line: If the Mean Green could just get any semblance of defensive production they’d be dangerous. Once again, North Texas games will be a blast with a ton of offense … for both sides.
7. UTEP Miners
Why To Be Happy: There’s something to build on after a not-that-awful 2020. The Miners won a few games, they were more competitive than normal, and they have enough experience returning to hope for more. The offensive backfield should remain intact, and the line should get back at least four starters. The defense isn’t all back full, but it’ll be close.
What To Work On: More talent. The transfer portal has only been flowing one way so far, but the Miners aren’t losing top players – yet. They do need some reinforcements, though. The running game started to work, but the passing attack has to be sharper.
Bottom Line: Any steps forward – as in just a five-win season – would be extraordinary. For the first time in a long time there should be some continuity, especially on the lines.