EAST CAROLINA: The Pirates need linebackers like Pierre Bell to keep playing well as Skip Holtz (right) works on building a stronger defense.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: It’s an unusual defense when the top three tacklers are linemen. That’s how the Knights played last year and they’re looking for more solid efforts.

RICE: Quarterback Chase Clement’s season ended abruptly with a broken right collarbone, prematurely finishing a promising year. Clement’s back and convinced his off-season conditioning has him ready to play 12 games for the Owls.

UAB: LaDarrius Stanley calls himself the Anywhere Man. Small wonder. One year it was defensive line, then a couple on the offensive line, then on to tight end. Now he’s back on the D-Line.

MARSHALL: Ahmad Bradshaw ripped through C-USA defenses for 1,500 yards last year. Now he’s gone. The Thundering Herd will work this fall to identify his replacement.

SOUTHERN MISS: Two seniors are vying for the Eagles’ starting quarterback nod, but don’t count out a group of younger players.

TULSA: Rodrick Thomas is a big man. We mean BIG. As in 6-4, 354. But now he’s got his diet under control and Tulsa is expecting BIG things from the offensive tackle.