LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – TCU coach Gary Patterson didn’t see a team that deserves a preseason No. 25 ranking at the Horned Frogs’ scrimmage last Friday.

“We have a lot of work to do to be the team that people think we’re going to be,” said Patterson, beginning his third season as TCU’s head coach.

Despite Patterson’s assessment, the defending Conference USA co-champions still figure be the team to beat again this year.

Six starters return for a defense that led the nation in rushing yards allowed (65 per game) and was second with 42 turnovers. On offense, the returning lettermen include 2002 Conference USA freshman of the year Lonta Hobbs and sophomore quarterback Tye Gunn, who was 4-0 as a starter before suffering a season-ending knee injury in October.

Gunn is healthy again, and Patterson feels comfortable letting him run the team despite his limited game experience.

“He’s a leader and you can always tell when he’s around, people are going to listen to what he says,” Patterson said.

TCU shared the 2002 league title with Cincinnati, which will once again be led by quarterback Gino Guidugli. The junior set a school season record for passing yards in 2002.

Both TCU and Cincinnati defeated two-time defending league champion Louisville in 2002, sending the Cardinals spiraling to a disappointing 7-6 record. The season culminated in a bowl loss to Marshall and the departure of coach John L. Smith to Michigan State.

Louisville hired Bobby Petrino, who was the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in 1998 – when they led the nation in scoring (40.4 points) and total offense (560 yards).

Southern Mississippi also is looking to return to the league’s top tier after a 7-6 campaign in 2002. The Golden Eagles won or shared three of the first four Conference USA championships, but haven’t finished better than third since 1999.

South Florida joins the league this season and figures to contend immediately, after going 9-2 in 2002, including four wins against Conference USA opponents.

UAB welcomes back quarterback Darrell Hackney, its top three rushers and three of its four top receivers from 2002.

Tulane also has much of its starting offense back, including quarterback J.P. Losman and running back Mewelde Moore. The Green Wave finished 8-5 in 2002.

Memphis quarterback Danny Wimprine set school records for passing yards and touchdown throws in 2002, but he’s one of only four offensive starters back for the Tigers.

East Carolina and Houston will break in first-year coaches this season, while Army continues to rebuild under Todd Berry.

Team capsules, in predicted order of finish:

TCU

The preseason ranking is the Horned Frogs’ first since 2000, but second since 1960. … The Frogs have won 41 of their last 60 games. … The ’02 league title was TCU’s third in four years. The Frogs won WAC championships in ’99 and ’00.

Southern Mississippi

Coach Jeff Bower, entering his 13th season, has the seventh longest tenure at one school among I-A coaches. … Southern Miss will play three games on Thursday night … The Eagles were last in Conference USA in third-down conversion percentage (30.2 percent) in 2002.

South Florida

The Bulls’ 19-game home-field winning streak is the second longest in the country, behind Miami’s 21-game run. … The current seven-game winning streak is the longest among Conference USA teams. … PK Santiago Gramatica is the younger brother of NFL kickers Martin and Bill Gramatica.

Louisville

The Cardinals have reached a bowl game the past five seasons. … They averaged 107 rushing yards per game in ’02, 104th in the nation. … The natural grass at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium was replaced with artificial turf in offseason.

Tulane

The Green Wave led league in turnover margin (plus 13) in 2002. … LB Anthony Cannon led the nation’s freshmen with 114 tackles. … The first name of RB Mewelde Moore is Swahili for “he who gets his wisdom, knowledge and strength from God.”

Cincinnati

The Bearcats are coming off third straight bowl appearance for first time in school history. … Cincinnati was last in Conference USA in fourth-down conversion percentage (7-of-24, 29.2 percent) in ’02. … Guidugli ranks third in school history in passing yards (6,116) and second in career TD passes (39).

UAB

QB Hackney started final eight games of ’02. … LB Zac Woodfin set a school record with 120 tackles in ’02. … The Blazers have 16 starters back.

East Carolina

The Pirates’ 4-8 mark in ’02 was first losing record since ’97. … North Carolina will make first-ever trip to Greenville on Oct. 11. … Pirates had league’s worst defense (446 yards per game) in ’02.

Memphis

The Tigers lost seven of last eight in ’02. … Former coach Rip Scherer is now the offensive coordinator at Southern Miss. … QB Danny Wimprine’s 37 TD passes are a school record. … Tigers’ 303 points in ’02 was highest total since ’92.

Houston

The Cougars were last in the league in turnover margin (minus-16) in ’02. … WR Brandon Middleton averaged 24 yards per reception in ’02, tops among nation’s returning receivers. … DE Farouk Adelekan had 38 tackles in ’02, 18 for losses.

Army

The Knights are 5-29 over last three seasons. … They will make their first-ever trip to Hawaii for Nov. 22 game with the Warriors.

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