Middle Tennessee has been picked to win the 2016 East Division title in a preseason vote conducted by a panel of media members that cover Conference USA schools. Southern Miss was the pick for the West title.
Middle Tennessee was 6-2 in league play last season and earned a trip to the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. 2015 C-USA Freshman of the Year QB Brent Stockstill finished with a new league record for passing yards by a freshman with 4,005, leading the nation's rookies in yards and TD passes (30). Sophomore WR Richie James had 108 receptions last year, a new Middle Tennessee record and the fourth-most in a single season in C-USA history.