Keeping up with CFFinsider Awards week, we move onto the non-BCS All-Conference teams. Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve/Day all!
Conference USA
QB: Case Keenum, Houston
RB: Donald Buckram, UTEP
RB: Shawnbrey McNeal, SMU
WR: James Cleveland, Houston
WR: Emmanuel Sanders, SMU
TE: Cody Slate, Marshall
K: Ben Hartman, East Carolina
D: East Carolina
Thoughts: Curtis Steele was a machine down the stretch and worthy of claiming the second running back spot, but McNeal gets the edge for scoring in each of his last seven games. The same logic was used in the selection of Sanders, who was more consistent down the stretch than those that may have scored more overall points.
MAC
QB: Dan LeFevour, CMU
RB: Bernard Pierce, Temple
RB: Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
WR: Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
WR: Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
TE: Jesse Rack, Buffalo
K: Mike Salerno, Northern Illinois
D: Temple
Thoughts: LeFevour and Barnes rebounded from their sub-par 2008 seasons and posted numbers worthy of each of their talents. Pierce was a surprise and should be a fantasy staple for the next two years at least. Coach Al Golden has Temple on the right track.
Mountain West
QB: Max Hall, BYU
RB: Eddie Wide, Utah
RB: Harvey Unga, BYU
WR: David Reed, Utah
WR: Vincent Brown / DeMarco Sampson, San Diego State
TE: Dennis Pitta, BYU
K: Ross Evans, TCU
D: TCU / Air Force
Thoughts: With The Gronk and Jermaine Gresham bowing out early there was a lot of pressure on Pitta, who quickly became the top fantasy option at tight end. He did not disappoint, finishing in the Top 20 in the MWC in fantasy points. Matt Asiata was well on his way to leading the league in rushing before tearing his ACL, then his sub, Eddie Wide, took over and stole Asiata's crown. Vincent Brown was on fire to start the season before injuring his thumb. Sampson picked up where Brown left off in the middle of the season, so it seems only fitting that they share the All-Conference honors.
Sun Belt
QB: Dwight Dasher, Middle Tennessee State
RB: Lance Dunbar, North Texas
RB: Harvey Unga, BYU
WR: Jerrel Jernigan, Troy
WR: T.Y. Hilton, FIU
TE: Jason Harmon, FIU
K: Alan Gendreau, Middle Tennessee State
D: Middle Tennessee State
Thoughts: Was there a better fantasy playoff quarterback than Dasher? Dasher finished his already strong season by scoring four or more touchdowns in four of his last five games. We had a North Texas running back high on our preseason draft board, unfortunately it wasn't Dunbar. The sophomore took over for the hobbled Cam Montgomery (hamstring) by week six and never looked back. The words "defense" and "Sun Belt" usually don't go hand and hand, but Middle Tennessee State forced 33 turnovers in 2009, good enough for fourth in the country.
WAC
QB: Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
RB: Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
RB: Robert Turbine, Utah State
WR: Greg Salas, Hawaii
WR: Titus Young, Boise State
TE: Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech
K: Kyle Brotzman, Boise State
D: Boise State
Thoughts: Finally able to make it though a full season (well almost) without getting hurt, Mathews was able to show off his stuff, rushing 1664 yards and 17 scores. If not for missing the better part of two games with a concussion, 2000 yards rushing would have been within reach. Kaepernick owners were probably wondering what they got themselves into after he scored only five touchdowns through the first four games, but he puked and rallied to one of the best fantasy seasons of 2009.
All-Independent
QB: Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
RB: Vince Murray, Navy
RB: Armando Allen, Notre Dame
WR: Golden Tate, Notre Dame
WR: Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
TE: Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech
K: Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
D: Army
Thoughts: With only three independents, it comes as no surprise that Notre Dame would run the table. Tate would be All-Conference in any league. The fact that both Army and Navy were up for defensive consideration before Notre Dame tells you where the Irish problems rest.