The second year in the new 12-team, two-division Conference USA continues with a race that is expected to be wide open. If last year was any indication, 2006 should again bring great parity and the standings coming down to the final weekend to decide the conference championship and bowl berths.

Deposit $50 and receive a $50 match with a one time rollover.
Offer expires this Sunday.
Click Here

UCF and Tulsa are again expected to finish first in the East and West divisions, respectively. However, Southern Miss in the East and UTEP and Houston in the West have veteran teams capable of clinching the top spots as well. Memphis and UAB, big time C-USA programs in years' past, both lost all-conference players and should fall to the middle of the pack. Picking this race is almost impossible with the depth that lies in C-USA. Truthfully, anybody can win on any given week and that should hold true throughout the upcoming season.

2005 witnessed two programs rise to the top of the conference when most expected average seasons from them. George O'Leary's UCF Golden Knights and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane topped their C-USA divisions with Tulsa winning the conference and capturing its first bowl victory since 1991. Mike Price's UTEP finished right behind Tulsa in the West as did Southern Miss in the East. Five teams finished with at least a 5-3 record in conference play, while three others held a 4-4 record at season's end.

CONFERENCE FAVORITE: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (9-4 overall, 6-2 conference, 1st in West)

Returning Starters: 17 (7 offense; 9 defense, punter)

Skinny: Coming off its C-USA title and rise to the top of the conference, Tulsa again is loaded and back for another run. The team's best player, starting quarterback Paul Smith, returns from a year where he threw 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. As well, four offensive linemen are back to help an offense that averaged a shade more than 33 points per game in 2005. With a much easier non-conference schedule this fall, a 10-win season is as realistic as defending its conference championship.

Best Bet: Oct. 3, vs. Southern Miss. 10-3 ATS last year, including a road victory against Southern Miss, 34-17. Now without the Golden Eagles' star quarterback, another victory is in order.

TEAM ON THE RISE: East Carolina Pirates (5-6, 2-6; 4th in East)

Returning Starters: 15 (7 offense; 6 defense, punter, kicker)

Skinny: Skip Holtz, son of the legendary Lou, begins his second season as head coach at ECU and should see more improvement from one year ago. Winning five games in 2005 eclipsed the team's combined record of 3-20 from '03-04. Versatile signal caller James Pinkney returns as the leader while No. 1 wide out Aundrae Allison is one of the league's best. A bowl birth is not far down the road if the defense can improve on its rush stopping or lack thereof as the unit surrendered 217 yards on the ground per game.

Best Bet: Sept. 9 at UAB. Despite its 5-6 record, the Pirates were 8-3 against the spread including an outright win against UAB in their last game in 2005. In 2006 on the road against the Blazers, ECU should find a favorable spread and a similar result.

TEAM ON THE DECLINE: Memphis Tigers (7-5, 5-3; 2nd in East)

Returning Starters: 15 (8 offense; 6 defense, punter)

Skinny: After graduating three-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Year DeAngelo Williams, Memphis will be hard pressed to find another rock in the backfield any time soon. The Tigers have an array of signal callers to choose from, each having at least one start under their belt. Junior QB Martin Hankins, a transfer from I-AA Southeastern Louisiana, should land the starting job come September. Replacing Williams is likely to fall upon numerous backs, but the lack of production might force the defense to be extra impressive if a winning season is expected.

Best Bet: Sept. 9, vs. UT-Chattanooga. A mediocre 6-5 ATS last year, however its dominating 59-14 win over UTC should give reason to back the Tigers again. Williams is gone and early in the season linesmakers should find reason to lessen the spread.

If you enjoy reading this article you'll like our NCAA football weekly schedules page. Our bodog sportsbook page is also must read when studying college football. Doc's college football gambling lines resource is a must read for college football wagering. Is there a college football betting or handicapping topic you would like to see covered? Email service@docsports with your recommendations.

TEAM TO WATCH OUT FOR: UCF Golden Knights (8-5, 7-1; 1st in East)

Returning Starters: 18 (9 offense; 8 defense, punter)

Skinny: George O'Leary's team again should fight tooth and nail to get back to the conference championship game in 2006. Led by all-conference gunslinger Steven Moffett, expectations are high -- especially with all but five position starters back. Last season was a big success considering UCF started its schedule with two losses and ended with two as well. Sandwiched in between these four losses was an 8-1 stretch run. As well, the entire offensive line is back to assist in blocking for C-USA Freshman of the Year tailback Kevin Smith.

Best Bet: Sept. 16, vs. South Florida. 8-4-1 ATS, Central Florida has revenge on their mind after suffering a 31-14 setback to USF last year. This time at home, the Golden Knights are well equipped to exact the non-conference win.