UTEP is the favorite to win the Western Division of Conference USA in 2006 according to The Sporting News' preseason yearbook, slated to hit newsstands in June.

The Miners are also the highest-ranked team in C-USA, rated 39th nationally by the publication.

UCF is projected to win C-USA's Eastern Division for the second straight year.

Two Miners were tabbed to The Sporting News' preseason All-Conference team -- junior running back Marcus Thomas and senior linebacker Troy Collavo.

Thomas set a school record by rushing for 100+ yards in four straight games late last season. The Phoenix native ended the year with 791 yards rushing on 149 carries (5.3 average) with five touchdowns.

A Mathis, Texas native, Collavo was second on the squad with 112 tackles in 2005. He tied for the team lead with 14.5 tackles for losses.

Additionally, Thomas and senior Reagan Schneider made TSN's All-America Checklist. Thomas is listed as the 15th-best running back, and Schneider is the 18th-best kicker.

The preseason C-USA Offensive Player of the Year is Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb, and Memphis safety Wesley Smith is the league Defensive Player of the Year.