Contrary to popular belief, there were defenses on the field for Conference USA teams last fall. Now, it's just a matter of teaching them how to stop someone.

C-USA was a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare last season, with three teams averaging more than 40 points per game, led by Tulsa at a ridiculous 47.2 clip. The conference featured three different quarterbacks who passed for at least 4,000 yards, six running backs to rush for 1,000 yards, and six receivers who amassed 1,000 yards. Four different schools hit the 70-point mark in a game last year, and 15 times a team scored at least 50.

While no one can argue that the C-USA defenses were top-notch, that shouldn't dull the shine on some of the players putting up these stats. Southern Miss WR DeAndre Brown and RB Damion Fletcher are legitimate NFL players, while Houston QB Case Keenum might be one of the most overlooked QB's in the country, having tossed 44 touchdowns last year.

Plenty of star power departed after last year, including record-setting Rice WR Jarrett Dillard, but there's still more than enough firepower to keep the scoreboard lights flashing.

Here's some things to watch for this fall:

ECU: The Pirates were the talk of the country last year for two weeks after they opened the season with impressive victories over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Led by girtty QB Patrick Pinkney, ECU could once again play spoiler for some BCS teams, with consecutive road games against West Virginia and North Carolina on their schedule. Pinkney should be aided by the return of WR Jamar Bryant, who was suspended last season, as well as Dwayne Harris, who was injured all last year. While there's probably not enough overall talent for the Pirates to run the table and shake up the BCS standings, they're certainly capable of 9+ wins again.

Scoreboard battle: Who will score more this season, Southern Miss or Houston? Both teams are loaded with playmakers, return nearly every skill position player, and love to play up-tempo football. Both teams will also have a chance to test their offenses early this year, with Southern Miss traveling to Kansas and Houston visiting Oklahoma State and then hosting Texas Tech in consecutive weekends. Keep an eye on the afore-mentioned Brown for Southern Miss. If he is fully healthy after breaking his leg in the bowl last year, he's as physically talented as any receiver in the country.

Mr. June: June Jones, who was last seen in the national spotlight guiding Hawaii to an undefeated season and Sugar Bowl berth, struggled a bit last year in his first at Southern Methodist. "Struggled" as in the Mustangs finished 1-11, and surrendered a staggering 38 points per game. Ouch. On the plus side, their QB does have a cool name...Bo Levi Mitchell. So they at least have that going for them.

Shav Beaver: Speaking of awesome names...how about a round of applause for the newest Tulsa quarterback. Beaver, one of the most highly-touted recruits in the country, surprisingly turned his back on Michigan to play for the Golden Hurricane, where he'll likely see the field right away this year. If you're not excited to see what kind of chants and signs the fans come up with for Beaver, then you're certainly more mature than me, because frankly, I can't wait.

How they'll finish:

1. East Carolina - Bowl                                                                                          
2. Southern Mississippi - Bowl
3. Memphis
4. Marshall
5. Central Florida
6. UAB

1. Houston - Bowl
2. Tulsa - Bowl
3. UTEP
4. Rice
5. SMU
6. Tulane

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