Conference USA Power Rankings: Week 9

The Conference USA Power Rankings are never a prediction for how things will end up, but rather a snapshot of how teams look at the moment. At the moment, nothing has really changed. For the first time in a while, we had a week without major upsets.

1. UAB (7-1, 5-0, Last Week: #1)

UAB became the first team in Conference USA football history to have three shutouts in the same season as they went on the road and beat UTEP 19-0. A home game against a well rested UTSA team awaits.

2. FIU (6-2, 4-0, LW: #2)

The Panthers took care of business on the road and beat WKU 38-17 to become bowl eligible. It’s the second time ever FIU has become bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons (2010-2011). However the Panthers didn’t celebrate the occasion like last season, as there are bigger things to be accomplished. The Shula Bowl awaits, as the Panthers will welcome a reeling FAU team.

3. Louisiana Tech (6-2, 4-1, LW: #3)

For the fifth straight season Skip Holtz has La Tech bowl eligible, as the Bulldogs went on the road and beat FAU 21-13. Tech still needs UAB to lose two more games in order to move into first place in C-USA West. While that goal remains a long-shot, reaching 10 wins is very attainable. A trip to Mississippi State is on deck.

4. North Texas (7-2, 3-2, LW: #4)

It took a while but the Mean Green eventually laid waste to Rice and enters their bye week. Like La Tech, a division title is likely off the table, but 10 wins is very likely.

5. Middle Tennessee (5-3, 4-1, LW: #5)

The Blue Raiders had their best game of the season as they put a beatdown on Old Dominion. The Blue Raiders will take on rival WKU next, a team they’ve lost three straight to. Considering how bad WKU is, there’s no excuse for Rick Stockstill to not get over the WKU hump.

6. Marshall (5-2, 3-1, LW: #6)

The Herd were on a bye week and will travel to Southern Miss this week.

7. Charlotte (4-4, 3-2, LW: #9)

Charlotte pulled off an upset as they defeated Southern Miss 20-17. Brad Lambert isn’t out of the woods just yet, but it’s impossible to deny the fact that his coordinator hires in the offseason has certainly paid off.

8. FAU (3-5, 1-3, LW: #8)

The Owls had their 10-game home winning streak snapped at the hands of La Tech. FAU is 104th in penalties this season, a sign of a very undisciplined team.

9. Southern Miss (3-4, 2-2, LW: #7)

I present to you a very discouraging stat one of our readers pointed out.

With Marshall, UAB and Louisiana Tech still on the schedule and a road trip to El Paso to close the season, USM could very well finish with a 4-7 record, or worst, 3-8.

10. UTSA (3-5, 2-2, LW: #10)

The Roadrunners had a bye and will head to Birmingham looking to give North Texas and La Tech a chance at the division title.

11. Old Dominion (2-7, 1-5, LW: #11)

Getting blown out at home was huge surprise. A second straight losing season will make for an interesting offseason for ODU as I’m not too sure where the Monarchs stand in C-USA.

12. WKU (1-7, 0-4, LW: #12)

Mike Sanford could win a lot of fans over if the Tops pull off the upset against MTSU. Against Louisville and Marshall, WKU lost by a total of six points. I’m expecting a close game.

13. Rice (1-8, 0-5, LW: #13)

Expectations have been rightfully low, but a lost at home this weekend against UTEP will put a big damper on Mike Bloomgren’s debut season.

14. UTEP (0-8, 0-4, LW: #14)

For the first time in weeks, UTEP will play an evenly matched team. We’ve seen the Miners take some positive steps by taking home moral victories. On Saturday it’s time for them to take home an actual win.