UTEP football: Miners picked to finish third in C-USA West

Conference USA announced the 2015 Preseason Media Football Poll today in which UTEP was picked to finish third in the C-USA West.

WKU and LA Tech were tabbed as C-USA East and West favorites, Rice was voted ahead of UTEP to take the second spot in the West.

Defending C-USA Champion Marshall, led by senior running back Devon Johnson was picked second in the East, followed by Middle Tennessee and senior safety Kevin Byard, the nation's active leader in interceptions with 15. Rounding out the media picks in the East are Florida Atlantic, FIU, Old Dominion and newcomer Charlotte.

Closing out the media picks in the West Division are Southern Miss, North Texas and UTSA, respectively.

The current landscape while here in mid-July and on paper has the East having the current firepower of proven experience and talent. While in the West outside of the top three in LA Tech, Rice, and UTEP, many questions are in the air about the remaining three teams who are in a transition of roster turnover.

The 11th annual Conference USA Football Championship Game, pitting the champions of the East and West Divisions, will be held Saturday, Dec. 5. The 2015 C-USA Football season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 3.

C-USA MEDIA MEMBERS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

EAST DIVISION
1. WKU
2. Marshall
3. Middle Tennessee
4. Florida Atlantic
5. FIU
6. Old Dominion
7. Charlotte

WEST DIVISION
1. Louisiana Tech
2. Rice
3. UTEP
4. Southern Miss
5. North Texas
6. UTSA

Miner Rush's Make Believe Ballot

EAST DIVISION
1. Marshall
2. WKU
3. Middle Tennessee
4. Florida Atlantic
5. Old Dominion 
6. FIU
7. Charlotte

WEST DIVISION
1. Rice
2. Louisiana Tech
3. UTEP
4. Southern Miss
5. UTSA
6. North Texas