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IRVING, TEXAS — Louisiana Tech will have its own issues when fall camp opens, like prepping an inexperienced offensive line, quarterback and defensive back seven among the holes left by 31 seniors. But the Bulldogs are stepping into a Conference USA West Division that seems to have more questions that answers. Tech was selected to finish third by conference coaches in the West, who gave all 14 first-place votes to Tulsa. Tulsa (11-3, 7-1 C-USA in 2012) is the heavy favorite to repeat as conference champions, but coach Bill Blankenship isn’t buying it for one second. In a league full of offense, the Golden Hurricane’s defense has met the challenge. Tulsa replaces eight starters on defense, and the team with the best defense has won the majority of the last five C-USA championships. “Making trips to these new places won’t be easy,” Blankenship said. “We’ve never been to Louisiana Tech before.” Tech is one of three new Conference USA members in the newly-formed West Division, joined by North Texas and UTSA. Rice (7-6, 4-4 in 2012) is expected to rise near the top of the league this season with multidimensional quarterback Taylor McHargue. McHargue, who led the Owls to 37 points in a 56-37 loss in Ruston this past season, says the potential exists for an exciting Tech-Rice rivalry. “Even with the amount of turnover they have, they can be good in this league with a Skip Holtz,” McHargue said. “We’re similar programs, and I hope to see both teams competitive.” Read more: http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20130730/SPORTS/307300015/Conference-USA-West-Division-up-air