Over the past two weeks, we’ve taken a look at the Sun Belt and Mid-American conferences. This week, we will move on to Conference USA.
Question: Who is the player to watch in Conference USA in 2016?
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
Western Kentucky head coach Jeff Brohm has been known for his ability to call a great offensive game as the Hilltoppers’ playcaller over the last few seasons.
Everyone can say that’s behind the talent of former super stud quarterback Brandon Doughty. It could just be a product of the system that has been built since Brohm made his way to Bowling Green, Kentucky, after a brief stop as the offensive coordinator at UAB.
One thing we absolutely know is that if Western Kentucky wants to continue to have success after an outstanding 2015, Brohm will have to call upon the playmaking ability of senior wide receiver Taywan Taylor, who isn’t just the flashiest big play threat in Conference USA.
He’s one of the best in the country at hitting paydirt. The All-Conference first teamer scored 17 touchdowns in 2015, which was the second-best total at the FBS level a year ago. He hauled in a school-record 1,427 yards receiving, which is second-best in Conference USA history.
What’s most impressive though is the 17 yards per reception he averaged as a junior.
Taylor accounted for just 21 percent of the pass receptions thrown last season, yet he scored 35 percent of the team’s receiving touchdowns.
If you’re looking for the most exciting player in the conference to keep your eye on — look no further than Taylor.
Nothing says big play receiver more than scoring 13 of your 17 touchdowns on first down and averaging 20 yards per catch when up leading by a touchdown or less.
The only downfall for Taylor heading into his senior season is that he hasn’t been asked to be a factor in the second half of ball games. Only 19 of his 86 receptions came in the second half last season. He only scored two touchdowns in the final 30 minutes of games.
That will change in 2016, as coach Brohm tries to find an outside threat late in games, in a position he isn’t used to being in.
Terry Johnson:
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
The player I’m keeping an eye on is Nick Mullens from Southern Mississippi.
Make no mistake about it: Mullens is the top quarterback in Conference USA this fall. He was certainly among the nation’s best signal callers last season, ranking ninth in the country in passing yards per game (319.7) and fourth in touchdown passes (38).
While these stats are impressive, what stands out the most about Mullens is how well he plays in pressure situations. As I noted in my 5 Gang of 5 quarterbacks to build a program around piece, Mullens was the best quarterback in college football last year on third down, leading the nation in yardage, completions, and touchdowns in those situations. He also finished second in completion percentage and quarterback rating on third downs as well.
In addition to his excellence on third down, Mullens did a great job of making plays when his team really needed it last year. In drives where Southern Miss trailed last season, he connected on 106 of 165 passes for 1,486 yards and eight touchdowns. He was even more effective when the Eagles trailed by seven points or less, completing 72.5% of his passes with five touchdowns and only one interception.
If those last two paragraphs don’t scream out “most exciting player in the conference”, I don’t know what does.
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
Middle Tennessee has been up and down and generally average during Rick Stockstill’s ten years at the helm. He’s amassed a record of 64-61 in that time. Last season, they posted a 7-6 record but were an impressive 6-2 in the conference.
What makes Middle Tennessee so interesting to watch this year is Rick Stockstill’s quarterback….his son Brent. Brent originally signed to play for Cincinnati but then decided to play for dad.
As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he did pretty good for himself as he was named C-USA Freshman of the Year. As a freshman, he threw for 4,005 yards with 30 TD versus 9 INT and completed 66.7% of his passes.
Stockstill should only grow this season and it will be fun to see just how good he can get in the three years he has remaining. He has already set single-season records for attempts, completions, passing yards, passing TDs, and 300-yard games. It’s going to be fun to see what he does next and if he can help take dad to new heights.
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
Oh, how a few weeks changes an answer. Without giving an individual name, the answer is “whoever starts at quarterback for Western Kentucky.”
Three weeks ago, the answer would have been Nelson Fishback, taking over for record-setting Brandon Doughty in leading a Hilltoppers team tabbed by most to be either a heavy or moderate favorite within the conference. Then, he was hurt during an innocuous offseason workout at home and is out for the season.
So now, the Hilltoppers recalibrate the position with two transfers … Mike White from South Florida and Tyler Ferguson, via Butte College, Penn State, and then Louisville. White has two years of eligibility left and Ferguson has one. Neither has extensive experience leading a team, though White has a bit more of a stat line. He threw for over 2,700 yards and 11 touchdowns against 16 interceptions at USF in two years.
There’s no real telling who the guy that gets the job will be, because Fishback was the likely successor until a few weeks ago. You’d have to think Ferguson would have maybe a leg up, having an opportunity to go a lot of places for his final year of college ball but settling on WKU due to a relationship with the coaching staff, but this one is probably 51/49 going into fall.
One will need to be settled on, because the platoon thing rarely works and WKU has expectations about it. So, the player to watch will be whoever gets the nod. It could be the difference between meeting expectations or falling short for the conference favorite.
