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Reaction: Conference USA, MAC

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Posted: Saturday August 07, 1999 11:46 AM

Conference USA is steadily improving. Without the benefit of decades-old rivalries, this fledgling league is developing as a group of spoiler teams that are fun to watch. As long as the member teams continue adding established programs as non-conference opponents to add legitimacy, I feel confident that the snubbing received by Tulane in 1998 will not happen to C-USA's next Cinderella.
-- Ben Coady, West Palm Beach, Fla.

For Conference USA, you have to assume the contenders are Southern Miss, Louisville and Tulane. But watch out for dark horse Army. If Army can pass enough to keep the opposition "honest" against the run (a tall order) -- watch out! The key conference matchup comes early with Tulane and Southern Miss. The game with wildest style extremes is the "pass-happy," Chris Redman-led Cardinals against the "ground pounders" of the Army wishbone.
-- Bob Foss, Huntsville, Ala.

Among this years surprises: Houston, with 19 returning starters, wins the Conference USA crown.
-- Michael Cybulski, Katy, Texas

While hoping my hometown alma mater (Southern Miss) can take care of Conference USA, I believe East Carolina has the most potential with the best possibilities. Look out for the Pirates if West Virginia can't stop them in the season opener
-- T. Hartfield, Hattiesburg, Miss.

How times have changed. When Marshall joined the MAC conference three years ago, the media picked it to finish last in the conference. Marshall again won the MAC last year, as well as the Motor City Bowl. This year it is a preseason top 25 team. Slowly, people are giving it respect. I predict that Chad Pennington will put up Heisman-like numbers. Marshall has a wide-open offense, and this will only benefit Pennington. But, as with Randy Moss, Pennington will be overlooked because he played in a "lesser" conference.
-- Eric S. Hale, Columbus, Ohio

Miami University will win the Mid-American Conference and finally get the bowl bid that it deserved last year. Unfortunately, that will take a possibly unbeaten record, with wins over Northwestern and West Virginia, into the Motor City bowl, instead of a more deserving, higher profile bowl game. The conference will of course come down to the first weekend in October when Marshall visits Miami. Miami has all tough conference foes at home, while Marshall has a few challenging road trips, which will cost it a shot at the title.
-- Joe Rozsa, Columbus, Ohio

Don't look for the MAC to be as strong this year. Marshall, Miami, BGSU and Toledo should contend, while Ohio and Ball State struggle. Marshall should repeat, but its schedule will hurt poll rankings and Heisman hopes. Key wins include Syracuse at Toledo, Miami at Northwestern, BGSU at Pitt and Marshall at Clemson.
-- Mark Rose, Wheelersburg, Ohio

Living in Big Ten country, it's unfortunate that so many people here, and throughout the nation, fail to see an excellent football conference in the MAC. This season, look for Marshall to beat Clemson, Toledo to upset Syracuse in the Glass Bowl, Ohio to beat Minnesota and Miami to beat both Northwestern and West Virginia. Hopefully, this will open the eyes of bowl scouts to invite these well deserving MAC teams to another bowl besides the Motor City!
-- Nick Gerogsian, Strongsville, Ohio

Once again the MAC will produce quality football but will fail to get the respect it deserves. Don' make the mistake of missing the Marshall-Miami (Ohio) game on Oct. 2, because it is turning into one of the best rivalries in college football! Travis Prentice is the BEST running back in college football.
-- Barry Daggs, Columbus, Ohio