:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51934825/459997245.0.jpeg)
Conference USA could have seven bowl teams by the end of this week. Or a paltry four. Seven is a long shot being that it would require a massive upset by Southern Miss over La Tech but six is reasonable as UTSA hosts Charlotte and North Texas goes on the road to play UTEP.
Here are the tie-ins for C-USA.
- Boca Raton Bowl vs MAC Tuesday, December 20. (Boca Raton, FL)
- Hawai’i Bowl vs MWC Saturday, December 24. (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- New Mexico Bowl vs MWC Saturday, December 17. (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- Bahamas Bowl vs AAC or MAC Friday, December 23. (Nasau, Bahamas)
- New Orleans Bowl vs Sun Belt Saturday, December 17. (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Heart of Dallas Bowl vs Big Ten Tuesday, December 27. (Dallas, Texas)
- Independence Bowl vs ACC/SEC Monday, December 26. (Shreveport, Louisiana)
Note: These tie-ins are from Conference USA. However, there’s loopholes that may send a C-USA team elsewhere. Whoever wins the conference chooses whichever bowl game they want. The Independence Bowl is a back-up slot should the ACC or SEC not have a team eligible to play in the game.
SB Nation: 6 Teams
New Orleans: La Tech
New Mexico: UTSA
Boca Raton: Old Dominion
Hawaii: Southern Miss
St. Petersburg: Middle Tennessee
Heart of Dallas: Western Kentucky
Analysis: Nearly identical to last week’s projections except they have MTSU in St. Petersburg now against Temple. WKU against Northwestern would be the only matchup against a P5 team.
College Football News: 6 Teams
New Orleans: La Tech
New Mexico: Western Kentucky
Boca Raton: Middle Tennessee
Bahamas Bowl: UTSA
Hawaii: Old Dominion
Heart of Dallas: North Texas
Analysis: You should know how I feel about seeing a projection of a C-USA East team in New Mexico. Seeing the Heart of Dallas choosing UNT over UTSA would be gut wrenching for UTSA fans wanting to see the Roadrunners first ever bowl game in person as this scenario isn’t too far fetched. UNT travelled extremely well to this bowl game in 2014.
CBS Sports: 6 Teams
New Orleans: Middle Tennessee
New Mexico: North Texas
Bahamas Bowl: Louisiana Tech
Hawaii: Old Dominion
Arizona: UTSA
Heart of Dallas: Western Kentucky
Analysis: This paring has zero matchups against a P5 team which would be extremely disappointing. On the other hand C-USA would have a great chance at going undefeated in bowl season and improving their reputation.
NBC Sports: 6 Teams
New Orleans: Louisiana Tech
New Mexico: UTSA
Boca Raton: Western Kentucky
Bahamas Bowl: Old Dominion
Hawaii: Middle Tennessee
Heart of Dallas: North Texas
Analysis: This features a scenario in which Vanderbilt would be in the Heart of Dallas of bowl. Being that WKU already played them this year they see the Tops instead going to Boca to avoid a rematch and play Memphis. While that’s certainly feasible, I don’t see it happening.
Should the Heart of Dallas come down to UTSA and North Texas I think it’ll go to UTSA as I think the C-USA might nudge the Dallas bowl reps in that direction since UTSA did beat UNT.