Blue Raiders tabbed runner-up in C-USA preseason poll
MURFREESBORO – Conference USA's head football coaches were in lockstep atop the preseason poll.
All 13 voted Marshall as the No. 1 pick to win the East Division in the preseason poll, released by the league office on Wednesday. Most agreed that MTSU is the top contender to dethrone the defending division champion Thundering Herd.
"(Marshall) won the division last year and played in the (C-USA) championship game," MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. "They won their bowl game over Maryland, and they've got a lot of players back. So I can see why they are the unanimous pick."
Marshall garnered 91 total votes, including all 13 first-place picks in the East. The Blue Raiders received 73 votes in second place, followed by Florida Atlantic (60), C-USA newcomers Western Kentucky (57) and Old Dominion (33), UAB (31) and Florida International (19).
"Well, you've got two new teams (WKU and Old Dominion) in our division that weren't in the conference last year. And then the other two teams (UAB and FIU) didn't have that hot of records," Stockstill said. "So it kind of makes sense. Us and Florida Atlantic are about where I thought we would be."
Some college football magazines have predicted Marshall to pull off an undefeated season, as it should be favored in all four non-conference games. The Thundering Herd's only C-USA regular-season loss last year came against MTSU on a last-play touchdown pass in a 51-49 decision in Murfreesboro.
This season the two teams square off in Marshall's homecoming game on Oct. 11 in Huntington, West Virginia.
The Blue Raiders are coming off consecutive eight-win seasons. Last year, they went 8-5, including a five-game win streak to cap the regular season and a 24-6 loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Stockstill said he believes MTSU can compete for the East title.
"I think we're in that position every year," he said. "Obviously, there are some people in positions we've got to replace, and our success will depend on how those new guys play at those positions. But I like our team and our chances."
The Blue Raiders report to preseason camp on Aug. 3 and hold their first practice on Aug. 4. MTSU's first game will be Aug. 30 versus Savannah State at Floyd Stadium.
C-USA Media Days will be next week on Tuesday and Wednesday in Dallas.
The West Division preseason poll shows more parity. North Texas drew 66 votes, followed closely by Rice (65) and UTSA (62). The bottom half includes Louisiana Tech (38), Southern Miss (24) and UTEP (18).
The C-USA Championship Game between the East and West champions will be Dec. 6.
Contact Adam Sparks at 615-278-5174 or sparks@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamSparks.
CONFERENCE USA PRESEASON POLL
East Division
1. Marshall (91)
2. MTSU (73)
3. FAU (60)
4. WKU (57)
5. Old Dominion (33)
6. UAB (31)
7. FIU (19)
West Division
1. North Texas (66)
2. Rice (65)
3. UTSA (62)
4. La Tech (38)
5. Southern Miss (24)
6. UTEP (18)