Conference USA Power Rankings: Week 10

1. Louisiana Tech (7-1, 4-0, Last Week: #1)

Currently riding a 7-game winning streak, Tech had the luxury of resting last weekend. Next up they’ll host a desperate North Texas team. UNT has no doubt underachieved, but they should not be taken lightly.

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

Last week was a prime let down spot for the Herd as they travelled to Houston and played a a methodical game against Rice. It wasn’t pretty, as Rice tends to ugly up games but the Herd still walked away with a 20-7 win. They will have 2 weeks to prepare for La Tech, their toughest remaining conference game on the schedule.

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

C-USA is still hoping to land their first P5 win of the season as UAB failed to get it done against the Vols. The Blazers didn’t look great in their loss to Tennessee but they didn’t embarrass themselves either like the other C-USA teams have done this season so they move up a bit. Their game against Southern Miss this weekend is an elimination game for C-USA West.

4. FAU (6-3, 4-1, LW: #6)

The win over WKU was arguably one of their best performances of the season. The defense kept WKU’s offense in check, while Chris Robison turned in another great game. As long as he stays away from turnovers the Owls can beat anyone in C-USA. The win keeps the Lane Train alive for a conference title berth. FAU’s winning ways must continue as the Shula Bowl is on deck.

5. Southern Miss (5-3, 3-1, LW: #5)

The Golden Eagles got a chance to rest up while watching UAB get beat up by an SEC team.

6. WKU (5-4, 4-2, LW: #3)

A fast start gave way to a slow finish as the Tops were outscored 35-10 from the 2nd quarter on. It was a surprise to see the defense give up so many explosive plays after being a force in other conference games. With three games left, WKU can still reach bowl eligibility but it won’t be easy. A terrible Arkansas team is next but the game is on the road. After that you have at Southern Miss and a home game versus rival Middle Tennessee.

7. FIU (5-4, 3-3, LW: #7)

I thought the Panthers would win by a lot more than 7 points against Old Dominion. The offense looked really choppy but the defense redeemed themselves with a strong game against the run as they allowed 2.6 yards per carry. The Panthers have fallen short on expectations but there’s still a lot for these seniors to accomplish as we enter the final leg of the season. Snapping a two-game losing streak to FAU is priority No. 1.

8. Charlotte (4-5, 2-3, LW: #10)

The 49ers continued their “comeback” ways but this week they didn’t need any late game heroes. After trailing 7-0, they scored 34 unanswered points to beat Middle Tennessee 34-20. The win was huge for their bowl prospects. Assuming a win over UTEP this weekend, Charlotte will host Marshall with a chance to clinch bowl eligibility for the first time in program history.

9. North Texas (4-5, 3-2, LW: #9)

Mason Fine threw a career high 7 touchdown passes in a blowout win over UTEP. A lot of frustration was taken out on the Miners but there’s still work to be done to prevent this season from being a total loss. UNT will need to beat Rice and pull off an upset over La Tech or UAB to become bowl eligible.

10. Middle Tennessee (3-6, 2-3, LW: #8)

A rebuilding season can still result in a bowl game. MTSU just needs to have their first winning streak of the year start now. Home games against Rice and ODU, the worst teams in C-USA, should get the job done before the season finale at WKU.

11. UTSA (3-5, 2-2, LW: #11)

When Lowell Narcisse scored to give UTSA an early 7-0 lead at Texas A&M I wondered if the Roadrunners could somehow make this a four-quarter game. Nope. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the game is that UTSA isn’t going to quit on Frank Wilson despite the speculation around his job security. A win over ODU is a must.

12. Old Dominion (1-8, 0-5, LW: #12)

ODU hasn’t quit on Bobby Wilder. Hopefully that trend continues with a home game against UTSA.

13. Rice (0-9, 0-5, LW: #13)

I mean 231 total yards on offense while going 3-13 on third downs is just not going to get it done.

14. UTEP (1-7, 0-5, LW: #14)

Even under Dana Dimel, things look depressingly the same in El Paso.