Middle Tennessee has been picked to win the 2016 East Division title in a preseason vote conducted by a panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools. Southern Miss was the pick for the West title.
Middle Tennessee was 6-2 in league play last season and earned a trip to the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. 2015 C-USA Freshman of the Year QB Brent Stockstill finished with a new league record for passing yards by a freshman with 4,005, leading the nation’s rookies in yards and TD passes (30). Sophomore WR Richie James had 108 receptions last year, a new Middle Tennessee record and the fourth-most in a single season in C-USA history. The Freshman All-American posted 1,346 receiving yards, fifth-best in C-USA annals. The duo is two of 13 returning starters for head coach Rick Stockstill’s Blue Raiders.
In 2010, Middle Tennessee was picked to win the Sun Belt Conference and was also the choice in 2001. The Blue Raiders were also picked in 2002 but only by one of the two polls. This will be year number four in C-USA and the Blue Raiders were picked 3rd in the East in 2013, 2nd in 2014, and 3rd in 2015.
The 12th annual Conference USA Football Championship Game, pitting the champions of the East and West Divisions, will be held Saturday, Dec. 3. The 2016 C-USA Football season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 1.
C-USA MEDIA MEMBERS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
EAST DIVISION
1. Middle Tennessee
2. WKU
3. Marshall
4. Florida Atlantic
5. FIU
6. Old Dominion
7. Charlotte
WEST DIVISION
1. Southern Miss
2. Louisiana Tech
3. Rice
4. UTEP
5. UTSA
6. North Texas
