Choosing CUSA: Week 3 predictions for Conference USA

It was a pretty forgettable Week 2 in Conference USA as not a single team came close to pulling off an upset against a P5 team. Against the G5, CUSA was 0-3 as UTSA (against Colorado State), Rice (against Army), and Old Dominion (against App State) all fell short.

On paper, Week 3 has the potential to be just as forgettable as six CUSA teams will visit a P5 school. The rest of the league will play a G5 team but a majority of the matchups should be wins for CUSA.

Last week I produced another winning record but unfortunately my two upset picks (Rice and UTSA) didn’t stick and thus ended any hopes of an undefeated season. Thanks a lot Rice and UTSA.

Choosing CUSA Record: 23-2

Game of the Week

Middle Tennessee at Bowling Green (Middle Tennessee -6)

For the second straight week Middle Tennessee earns my selection as playing in the Game of the Week. Last week, Bowling Green needed a defensive stand on a two-point conversion against FCS North Dakota to win 27-26.

The Blue Raiders should stroll in to Bowling Green, Ohio, and win easily. But after a tough loss to Vanderbilt last week there’s potential for a let down, and although the Falcons appear to be taking a step back this year BGSU could pull the upset should MTSU sleepwalk.

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The Rest of CUSA...

Baylor at Rice

Rice plays their first home game of the year against an old Texas rival in Baylor. The Owls have allowed 38 points points per game in this early season. Baylor rolls easily.

Baylor 62 Rice 17

Arizona State at UTSA

UTSA has done an excellent job getting home-and-home games against P5 teams over the past few years and this is another one. Arizona State will look to improve their defense after allowing Texas Tech to score 55 points and I think they will as long as UTSA is shuffling quarterbacks.

Arizona State 48 UTSA 13

Akron at Marshall

Potential look ahead spot as Louisville visits Marshall next week, but Marshall doesn’t lose at the Joan often as Marshall is too talented for Akron.

Marshall 38 Akron 17

FAU at Kansas State

The Wildcats have had two weeks to prepare for FAU after losing the opener to Stanford. FAU will keep it close with their defense but Kansas State will pull away in the fourth quarter.

FAU 17 Kansas State 28

Western Kentucky at Miami (OH)

After seeing the best team in college football the Hilltoppers will take on a bottom-tier MAC team. Expect the Hilltoppers to score early and often.

Western Kentucky 47 Miami (OH) 21

FIU at UMass

Both teams winless. Both teams struggling on offense. FIU is a mess right now as planes are flying near the campus with messages to fire their Athletic Director, and being that it’s at home I like the Minutemen.

FIU 16 UMass 24

Eastern Michigan at Charlotte

Charlotte has been perceived as the worst team in FBS but that distinction will belong to EMU after this one as the 49ers win big.

Charlotte 38 Eastern Michigan 17

Old Dominion at NC State

NC State has already lost to G5 team in East Carolina last week but ODU doesn’t have the same caliber of athletes as ECU. The Monarchs hang tough, but eventually come up short.

Old Dominion 20 NC State 34

Army at UTEP

Army defeated Rice last week and could take down UTEP. With Zach Greenlee back at practice and expected to start, the Miners offense will get back on track and beat Army in the trenches for a grind it out win.

UTEP 27 Army 16

Troy at Southern Miss

Troy played out of their minds against Clemson before losing 30-24 so Southern Miss should not take this game lightly. Jay Hopson will have his team locked in and Southern Miss pulls away.

Troy 24 Southern Miss 41

Louisiana Tech at Texas Tech

Louisiana Tech’s defense has performed well this season but Texas Tech has scored at least 50 points in their last seven home games. Trent Taylor had a career high 178 yards and three touchdowns last week and I think he torches an awful Red Raider pass defense but I think Kilff Kingsbury’s offense outscores the Bulldogs for a win.

Louisiana Tech 35 Texas Tech 56

North Texas at Florida

North Texas’ first road game of the season in The Swamp won’t end well as their fast pace spread offense sputters often in Mason Fine’s first start of the season.

North Texas 14 Florida 48