Breaking down Conference USA's story lines.
Army Black Knights
Three sophomores are competing for the starting job at quarterback. Look for athletic Reggie Nevels to win that battle. ... Here's a stat Army would like to reverse this season: It had a minus-16 turnover ratio last season. ... Derek Jacobs hit eight of 11 field goals as the team's first freshman kicker in nearly 20 years.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Defensive end Antwan Peek is a converted safety whose speed has enabled him to record 21 sacks, a school record. ... Kicker Jonathan Ruffin, who won the Lou Groza Award in 2000, has made 38 of 45 field goals over the past two seasons. ... The Bearcats have a tough schedule, playing host to Ohio State but going on the road against Louisville, Southern Miss and East Carolina.
East Carolina Pirates
Even with 1,000-yard runner Leonard Henry gone, the Pirates could have one of the league's best 1-2 punches at tailback in Art Brown and Marvin Townes. ... The special teams are sound, with kicker Kevin Miller (14 of 17 field goals) and punter Jarad Preston (44.1-yard average) back. ... Left tackle Brian Rimpf is getting all-league consideration.
Houston Cougars
Last season was the first winless year in Houston history. The Cougars have lost their last 15 games. ... Whoever the quarterback is -- most likely junior Nick Eddy, but possibly freshman Barrick Nealy -- needs to find receiver Brandon Middleton. He was second nationally last season at 24.3 yards per catch. ... New linebacker Damien West is a transfer from Texas A&M.
Louisville Cardinals
Quarterback Dave Ragone has thrown 50 touchdowns against just 18 interceptions the past two seasons. ... Ragone will have to find some new favorite wideouts with Deion Branch and Zek Parker gone after combining for 127 catches. ... Ten starters are back on defense, led by league Defensive Player of the Year Dewayne White at end.
Memphis Tigers
Look for true freshman tailback DeAngelo Williams, who ran for more than 2,000 yards as a high school senior, to earn playing time. ... Former linebacker Derrick Ballard has been moved to safety to replace NFL-bound Glenn Sumter. ... The Tigers haven't been to a bowl game since 1971.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Of the eight returning starters on defense, five are among the front seven -- good news for a unit that finished 13th nationally last season with just 101.5 rushing yards allowed per game. ... One starting end, Brian Evans, left the team in the spring. ... How's this for a nice schedule? The Eagles play host to league heavies Louisville, Cincinnati and East Carolina.
TCU Horned Frogs
The Horned Frogs were rocked by senior quarterback Casey Printers' decision to transfer to Division I-AA Florida A&M -- in search, he said, of more passing opportunities. ... The new QB figures to be Sean Stilley, a 6-5 senior who completed 21 of 29 passes for 273 yards last season against Army. ... Outside linebacker LaMarcus McDonald had 25 tackles for loss last season.
Tulane Green Wave
Mewelde Moore last season became the first Division I running back to run for more than 1,250 yards and catch more than 60 passes. ... On the down side, quarterback Patrick Ramsey is gone to the NFL, and four starting linemen graduated, too. ... Eleven starters are back on defense, including five former starters for the four defensive line positions.
UAB Blazers
The Blazers' defensive line last season was the talk of the 2002 NFL draft, which means their defensive line this season will be awfully new. Still, the four starters include three seniors and a junior. ... Only two starters are back on defense. ... Senior Thomas Cox isn't the most physically impressive quarterback around, but say this for him: He's 6-1 as a starter.
Gregg Doyel covers college football for The Charlotte Observer.
