An uninspiring football conference is turning things around.
Let’s face it: Conference USA isn’t a household name. Since its inception in 1995, only one team has garnered national headlines–Marshall. It was because Marshall had Randy Moss. In just one season at MU, Moss racked up 1,890 yards and 26 touchdowns.
But none of the conference teams has been able to establish long-term success–even Marshall. Most teams–like Middle Tennessee, Rice, and Southern Miss–don’t generate a buzz. The same applies to teams that have joined the conference recently, like UTEP (2011).
It all adds us to this: there hasn’t been much hype surrounding this conference.
But things seem to be changing.
Lane Kiffin FAU (photo, CBSSports.com)
The first big move was the hiring of Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic. Kiffin, who had been the offensive guru at Alabama, helped lead the Crimson Tide on multiple championship runs. His hiring was the first big-name talent in the conference’s history.
Other teams–once viewed as mediocre–have seemed to turn it around, too. Take North Texas. The team had been below .500 for eleven of twelve seasons. That was before a rebound. After posting a 9-5 record last year, the team is off to an undefeated 3-0 campaign this season.
Charlotte is another team on the rise. Kevin Olsen, Greg Olsen’s younger brother, and Hassan Klugh produced losing seasons. The offense was laughable. But, a cleaning of the house brought changes. UNCC hired Ben Roethlisberger’s former mentor and Youngstown offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery. Montgomery has been able to resurrect the offense with transfer quarterback Evan Shirreffs. Today, Charlotte seems to be moving in the right direction.
Teams like FAU, UNT, and UNCC are helping to transform Conference USA. The proof of the pudding is performance. Six teams have a positive win-loss record through three games. Old Dominion is the only laggard thus far.
While the conference may not have a legit bowl threat outside of Kiffin’s squad, one thing is clear: Conference USA is on the rise.
