Scouting reports: Conference USA, Sun Belt

Conference USA

How they'll finish

(2001 records in parentheses)

1. Louisville (6-1, 11-2): BCS talk will begin if Cardinals can upset Florida State but must first focus on dangerous game at Colorado State on Sept. 14.

2. Southern Miss (4-3, 6-5): Golden Eagles ready to contend again; getting Louisville at home won't hurt.

3. East Carolina (5-2, 6-6): Pirates will win their share and more if RB/KR Marvin Townes develops as expected and takes better care of ball.

4. Cincinnati (5-2, 7-5): Coach Rick Minter stressed defensive improvement as key to catching Louisville.

5. TCU (4-3, 6-6): Defense will be solid, but transfer of QB Casey Printers to Florida A&M leaves question on offense.

6. Memphis (3-4, 5-6): Two losses by field goal or less kept Tigers home again last postseason; with 18 starters back and QB Danny Wimprine returning, bowl drought could end.

7. Alabama-Birmingham (5-2, 6-5): With youth on defense, Blazers need star to emerge on offense; mobile QB Thomas Cox is candidate.

8. Tulane (1-6, 3-9): First-round draft choice Patrick Ramsey must be replaced quickly if Tulane continues to give up points at last year's clip (41 a game).

9. Army (3-8, 2-5): Reggie Nevels poised to take over at QB in Coach Todd Barry's spread attack; he'll be big reason if Black Knights show improvement.

10. Houston (0-7, 0-11): Needs to start showing results for Coach Dana Dimel.

Players to watch

Cincinnati: QB Gino Guidugli (2,573 yards, 16 TDs); WR LaDaris Vann (73 catches, 902 yards).

East Carolina: LB John Williamson (65 tackles, 7 sacks).

Louisville: QB Dave Ragone (3,056 yards, 23 TDs); TE Ronnie Ghent (34 catches, 330 yards, 5 TDs); DE Dewayne White (15 sacks, 86 tackles); FS Anthony Floyd (97 tackles, 4 INTs).

Southern Miss: RB Derrick Nix (1,054 yards in 1999); LB Rod Davis (92 tackles, 10 for loss)

TCU: LB LaMarcus McDonald (80 tackles, 25 for loss); DB Jason Goss (61 tackles, 3 INTs)

Tulane: RB Mewelde Moore (1,421 yards, 8 TDs); K Seth Marler (39 of 40 PATs, 15 of 16 FGs)

Games to watch

Sept. 7: Illinois at Southern Mississippi.

Sept. 21: Ohio State at Cincinnati

Sept. 26: Florida State at Louisville.

Nov. 14: Louisville at Southern Mississippi.

Quarterback sneaks

Alabama-Birmingham will count on underclassmen, particularly on defense, as the Blazers seek their third consecutive winning season.... If Cincinnati can topple Ohio State, it would be its first victory against the Buckeyes since 1897.... East Carolina was recognized by the American Football Coaches Association for graduating more than 70 percent of its seniors in 2001.... A new relationship with the New Orleans Bowl gives the league five guaranteed postseason slots.

Sun Belt Conference

How they'll finish

(2001 records in parentheses)

1. Middle Tennessee (5-1, 8-3): Should get it done after narrow miss last year.

2. North Texas (5-1, 5-7): A win at Middle Tennessee could mean another title.

3. New Mexico State (4-2, 5-7): Big overhaul for starting backfield.

4. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-4, 3-8): Bustle has some talent to work with.

5. Louisiana-Monroe (2-4, 2-9): A lot of guys back. Will that translate to wins?

6. Arkansas State (2-4, 2-9): Indians hope new coach means better days.

7. Idaho (1-5, 1-10): September schedule could leave Vandals battered.

Players to watch

Arkansas State: WR/KR James Hickenbotham (310 receiving yards, 23.4 yards a return)

Idaho: WR Chris Belser (603 receiving yards, 4 TDs)

La.-Lafayette: QB Jon Van Cleave (2,499 passing yards, 14 TDs).

La.-Monroe: LB Maurice Sonnier (76 tackles).

Middle Tennessee: RB Dwone Hicks (1,143 rushing yards, 24 TDs).

New Mexico State: SS Siddeeq Shabazz (107 tackles).

North Texas: RB Kevin Galbreath (1,119 rushing yards, 4 TDs)

QB sneaks

The early part of the season is moneymaking time in the league, but it figures to come with a heavy price in the loss column. Middle Tennessee plays at Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky; New Mexico State opens at South Carolina and later plays at Georgia; North Texas has trips to Texas, Alabama, TCU and Arizona before September ends; Louisiana-Lafayette visits Texas A&M and LSU; Arkansas State is at Virginia Tech, Illinois and Mississippi; Louisiana-Monroe travels to Mississippi and Kansas State and also visits Auburn in November; and Idaho must play at Washington State, Oregon and Washington.... Idaho, after playing several games in recent seasons at Washington State's Martin Stadium in order to boost attendance, will play all five home games at the Vandals' Kibbie Dome this year. The two campuses are about eight miles apart.... Steve Roberts steps in as coach at Arkansas State after leading Northwestern (La.) State to the 2001 Division I-AA playoffs.

Games to watch

Sept. 7: Middle Tennessee at Tennessee

Oct. 19: Louisiana-Lafayette at Middle Tennessee

Nov. 2: Middle Tennessee at New Mexico State

Nov. 16: New Mexico State at North Texas

Nov. 23: North Texas at Middle Tennessee.