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IRVING, Texas -- Conference USA goes into a new season with no changes in its lineup of teams for the first time since 2012.The league has the same 13 teams that competed for the title last season, including defending champion Western Kentucky.There will be at least one change in 2017 with UABs return after a two-season hiatus, and who knows what happens if there is another national shift of teams. The Big 12, a Power Five conference headquartered just around the corner from the C-USA office, is considering expansion of its 10-team league.Were not blind to the fact that thats kind of what has been a hot topic the last couple of years ... and now it looks like its going to pick back up, WKU coach Jeff Brohm said. If we take care of our business and try to be a contender every year in the league, eventually good things will happen, but we like exactly where were at right now.Marshall coach Doc Holliday agrees, adding, Im not sure any of the other Group of Five is a better league than what we have right now.C-USA had 12 teams from 2005-12, though some teams changed during that span. There were 14 teams in 2013 with a bakers dozen in 2014, and again last year when FBS newcomer Charlotte came in as UAB temporarily shut down its program.THE FAVORITES:East Division: With a 5,000-yard passer last season, WKU averaged 50 points without losing a C-USA game. The Hilltoppers return all five starting offensive linemen, a record-setting receiver and a 1,000-yard rusher, but quarterback Brandon Doughty was a seventh-round NFL pick. WKUs toughest league games are on the road, at the other East favorites -- Middle Tennessee with its father-son coach-quarterback combo (Rick Stockstill is dean of C-USA coaches in his 11th season) and Marshall off three consecutive 10-win seasons -- and Louisiana Tech.West Division: Southern Miss, the alma mater of Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, was the most-improved FBS team last season, six wins better at 9-5 while winning the West and going to its first bowl game since 2011. Coach Todd Monken left for the NFL as offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, but USMs record-setting quarterback is back. Fourth-year Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz (13-3 in C-USA games the last two years) has created the kind of depth that could help the Bulldogs overcome the loss of running back Kenneth Dixon (26 total TDs) and their quarterback.TOP PLAYERS- Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens. After 4,476 yards passing and 38 TDs last season, Mullens could emerge as a top NFL prospect as a senior.- WKU receiver Taywan Taylor. A nice target for the Hilltoppers new quarterback after 86 catches for 1,467 yards and 17 TDs last season.- Florida Athletic defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, C-USAs sack leader, had more than one sack in five games.- Louisiana Tech receiver Trent Taylor. Undersized at 5-8, he is big catching passes: 99 catches for 1,282 yards last year.- Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill. The lefty completed two-thirds of his passes (4,005 yards, 30 TDs, nine interceptions) as a freshman starting for his dad.NEW FACES- Marshall linebacker Davon Durant. A top junior college player who first went to Arizona State and got dismissed there, Durant could be a key player for a defense that lost seven starters.- North Texas coach Seth Littrell. North Carolinas play-caller the past two seasons hopes to have the same kind of spread-out, high-scoring offense in his first head coaching job.- Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson. Twice a Golden Eagles assistant in the past, Hopson was Alcorn States coach the past four years.- UTSA coach Frank Wilson. A first-time college coach after six seasons as LSUs recruiting coordinator.ON THE HOT SEAT- Ron Turner, FIU. The Panthers have gone from one to four to five wins under Turner. With a quarterback, running back and receiver among nine returning offensive starters, they need to be even better.- Charlie Partridge, Florida Atlantic. After consecutive 3-9 seasons, the Owls have 15 returning starters from a team that lost four games by a touchdown or less.-Brad Lambert, Charlotte. There are 19 fifth-year seniors who came as freshmen for the programs inception in 2012, a year before the first game. Could this be the last season as well for Lambert, 10-22 after a 2-10 FBS debut last year.PICKSEast: Middle Tennessee. West: Southern Miss. League champion: Middle Tennessee.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org Antoine Griezmann France Jersey . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Laurent Koscielny Jersey . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. http://www.nationalfrancesoccer.com/eliaquim-mangala-france-jersey/ . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Olivier Giroud Jersey . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Kingsley Coman France Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Aaron Francis has given Essendon more hope for the future on a day where they showed why there is so little to like about the present.Sundays 37-point loss to Brisbane at Etihad Stadium was their 15th in a row - a club record.Essendon had 12 more inside 50s and three more scoring shots, but once again their goal-kicking was woeful and they could manage only 12.19.The Lions also whacked them in the clearances 47-33.For the first time all season, Essendon went into this game as favourites, but Brisbane were better from the start and the Bombers were never quite able to redress the balance.What also became apparent very early in the match is that the hype surrounding Francis is justified.Essendon took Darcy Parish at No.5 in 2015s national draft and Francis one selection later.While Parish has enjoyed an outstanding debut season, injury delayed Francis debut until now.There were no signs of nerves as Francis took several impressive marks in defence.He also looked encouraging when the Bombers played him up forward later in the match.His ability to take a mark is really top-notch already, coach John Worsfold said.Francis is the latest player this season to give Essendon hope that their fortunes might be about to change.Parish, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Orazio Francis hhave made great debuts.dddddddddddd.But it is still a makeshift team, missing 12 players through doping suspensions, and it plays that way.Theres a pattern over the last six weeks where weve actually started to create ball winning and ball movement to get it inside 50, Worsfold said.But were not finishing the job off as we should.Were not getting the rewards from that hard work.Worsfold joked that if Essendon were to bring in a goal-kicking coach now, it would be a full-time role.Its not a part-time job for us, where were at, he said.We need to make sure we have a clear plan and an understanding of why our inaccuracy is as it is and what were doing about fixing it.Worsfold also pointed to the inside 50s count as a sign that Essendon were making the effort.The boys are still trying, theyre not up to it at the moment, he said.Key forward Joe Daniher sprayed a couple of shots at goal, but still finished with 4.1 despite having to leave the ground with a mouth injury early in the game.I dont know if he wears a mouthguard - I would be horrified if he doesnt, Worsfold said.Some players elect not to (and) I just cant fathom the risks theyre taking. 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