Choosing C-USA: October 23, 2020

We’re in it for another week of Conference USA football! Fingers crossed that we can actually get a full slate of games in this week. Plus, Rice is finally back in action! In the words of the immortal and stunning Jeff Goldblum, “Life finds a way.”

Let’s open it up and see what we’re dealing with.

Friday, October 23rd

FIU Panthers vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks

FIU don’t exactly have it all figured out to start the year, but this is a good chance to correct some issues. Jacksonville State have a decent amount of firepower on their side though as they look to end their four-game slate for the fall. FIU are the pick, but they can’t take their FCS foe lightly.

UAB Blazers vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

If not for some last second-heroics by Coastal Carolina last week, the Ragin Cajuns’ would be undefeated right now. That being said, they might just have their toughest challenge to date in UAB. The Blazers are coming off of three straight games where they allowed less than 14 points. Blazers coming in hot for the upset.

Saturday, October 24th

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Chattanooga Mocs

The Mocs are playing their lone game of the fall this Saturday. While the Tops have definitely had their problems, particularly on offense, it seems like a stretch to think they would be beaten at this point by an FCS team who haven’t played a game in almost a year. WKU are the pick.

Charlotte 49ers vs UTEP Miners

If you love pickaxes, have we got two mascots for you. While UTEP are off to a strong start, Charlotte’s offensive prowess has them favored in this game. It could end up being close, but Charlotte are a confident pick.

Liberty Flames vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles

If you haven’t watched Malik Willis play yet, we recommend catching this one on ESPN3. In addition to Willis potentially being the best athlete on the field, Southern Miss still have a depleted defense and head coach Scotty Walden will miss this one due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. Liberty are a relatively safe pick here.

#22 Marshall Thundering Herd vs Florida Atlantic Owls

FAU are clearly a talented team. Nobody is debating that. However, Marshall are about as in-form as you can get to start the season. Grant Wells has been the most efficient passer in C-USA so far and the Herd have the #1 scoring defense in the league. Marshall are the pick.

Rice Owls vs Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

Even casual C-USA football fans are aware of MTSU’s disappointing start. Even so, it seems hard to believe that Rice would be prepared to stop a player like Asher O’Hara in their first game of the season. MTSU are the pick.

UTSA Roadrunners vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

UTSA’s success seems to hinge on having a healthy quarterback...they don’t seem to have that right now. Tech are decent, but not quite at the level Skip Holtz has elevated them to in years past, due to a variety of factors. Some might be consider this an upset, but UTSA can win this at home.