Die Allianz T-D-P » the Year: Ashley Dusek, Kentu

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 Aaron Donald Rams Jersey . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Jack Youngblood Rams Jersey . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. http://www.laramsfootballshops.com/nolan-cromwell-jersey/ . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Jared Goff Youth Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Marshall Faulk 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. Birmingham, Ala. - The Southeastern Conference announced its annual volleyball awards to cap the 2016 season. The All-SEC Team consists of 18 student-athletes, along with a seven-member All-Freshman squad. No ties were broken.Krystal Rivers, a senior right side hitter at Alabama, was selected as the 2016 SEC Volleyball Player of the Year. This marks the first time a member of the Crimson Tide program has won this honor. Rivers is currently ranked second in the nation in total kills with 640, and third in kills per set (5.77), points per set (6.57) and total points (729.5). She was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week four times and the SEC Player of the Week twice this season.In addition, Rivers was also chosen as the 2015 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, marking the first time a student-athlete was named Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the same season. She is also the first player from Alabama to be named Scholar-Athlete of the Year since the first award was given to Erin Price in 2003. Rivers is a Spanish major with a 3.65 GPA. She is a two-time honoree on the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Rivers was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2014. She is a six-time honoree on the Deans List and a two-time honoree on the Presidents List.Kentucky junior defensive specialist Ashley Dusek was named the SEC Libero of the Year for the second consecutive year. A two-time Defensive Player of the Week selection, she is second in the league in digs per set (4.80) and total digs (456). This is the fourth Libero of the Year honor for the Wildcats and their fifth Defensive Player of the Year award overall.Leah Edmond of Kentucky was tabbed the 2016 SEC Freshman oof the Year.dddddddddddd The outside hitter is currently second behind Rivers in the conference ranking in both kills per set (4.29) and points per set (4.79). She is also averaging 10.31 attacks per set, and has 455 total points during her rookie campaign. Edmond has earned eight SEC Freshman of the Week awards and was named the SEC Player of the Week twice this season.Missouri head coach Wayne Kreklow was voted the 2016 SEC Coach of the Year. The Tigers are currently 14-2 in league play and in a tie for second place heading into the last two matches of the regular season. Missouri ranked No. 22 in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 and seventh in the latest NCAA RPI rankings. This marks the second time Kreklow was named the SEC Coach of the Year, winning the award previously in 2013.Player of the Year: Krystal Rivers, Alabama Libero of the Year: Ashley Dusek, Kentucky Freshman of the Year: Leah Edmond, Kentucky Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Krystal Rivers, Alabama Coach of the Year: Wayne Kreklow, MissouriAll-SEC Team Krystal Rivers, Alabama Jesse Earl, Auburn Alexa Filley, Auburn Rhamat Alhassan, Florida Alex Holston, Florida Carolina Knop, Florida Allie Monserez, Florida Carli Snyder, Florida Kaz Brown, Kentucky Olivia Dailey, Kentucky Ashley Dusek, Kentucky Leah Edmond, Kentucky Melanie Crow, Missouri Carly Kan, Missouri Alyssa Munlyn, Missouri Stephanie Aiple, Texas A&M Jazzmin Babers, Texas A&M Kaitlyn Blake, Texas A&MAll-Freshman Team Hayley McSparin, Alabama Gwyn Jones, Auburn Rachael Kramer, Florida Leah Edmond, Kentucky Mikayla Shields, South Carolina Tessa Grubbs, Tennessee Hollann Hans, Texas A&M ' ' '