Conference USA has seen a major drop in top tier programs since a number of them bolted for The American a few years back. That said, it still looks to be one of the more competitive conferences in the country! That’s made highly evident by the fact that linemakers installed eight teams with 12-1 or shorter odds to win the title and move on to the conference’s best bowl game; currently the Boca Raton Bowl. You can seriously make arguments for each and every one of them to win the conference, but the following three stood out the most which is why I already invested in them on the CUSA futures odds at online sportsbooks.
ODDS TO WIN CUSA
Florida Atlantic +345
North Texas +415
Marshall +450
Florida International +477
Southern Mississippi +640
UAB +920
Louisiana Tech +1085
Middle Tennessee State +2186
Western Kentucky +2850
Charlotte +7000
Old Dominion +13000
UTSA +15000
UTEP +25000
Rice +35000
FAVORITE TO BACK: Marshall +450
If FIU isn’t winning the East, it’s going to be the Thundering Herd. I’m not a fan of the FAU Owls whatsoever regardless of them snatching premiere graduate transfer talent from Florida State and Alabama. While Florida Atlantic won’t be nearly as bad as they were in a disastrous 2018-19 campaign, they won’t be nearly as good as they were when Lane Kiffin led them to an 11-3 record and decisive Boca Raton Bowl win over the Akron Zips. Instead, I’ll look to Huntington, West Virginia where Marshall is without a doubt one of the favorites to win the conference in my opinion.
This is a team that won nine of 13 games a season ago and capped the campaign off with a solid win and cover as slight chalk against South Florida in the bowl game. This year’s squad returns excellent quarterback play in sophomore Isaiah Green whom the Thundering Herd went 7-3 with in games he started. It’s also got a pair of capable rock toters in the backfield as well as a bulk of the wide receiver corps returning as well. If the defense is able to plug some holes up front, it’ll likely be one of the best units in CUSA once again after ranking No. 20 in total defense and allowing 22 points per game.
Though it must travel to FAU, its remaining road schedule looks to be a cakewalk. Marshall also gets all the other divisional big wigs at home. Its non-conference slate should have it ready to compete in what looks to be a wide open Conference USA with games slated to go at Boise State and at home against Cincinnati. Something special definitely looks to be brewing for Doc Holliday’s troops in 2019!
UNDERDOG TO BACK: Florida International +477
Butch Jones has done an exceptional job turning the Golden Panthers program around over the course of his first two seasons at the other university located in Miami. The Golden Panthers hadn’t won more than five games in its previous five seasons under the previous coaching staff, but Jones and company helped lead the squad to eight wins in his inaugural campaign and followed it up with another nine wins a season ago. On top of that, his kids went a bankroll boosting 10-3 versus the closing college football betting lines.
Unfortunately, the end of season loss to Marshall at home cost it a trip to the CUSA title game. Jones got the job done with only 11 starters back last season, but now gets 16 to work with in 2019-20. One of them is James Morgan who is arguably one of the best quarterbacks the conference has to offer after throwing for over 2,700 yards and a 26:7 TD/INT ratio. Being forced to travel to both Florida Atlantic and Marshall at the tail end of the season isn’t ideal, but I’m a believer in this squad even though the betting markets are selling with the Owls and Thundering Herd odds to win the conference getting shorter while the Golden Panthers are getting just a skosh longer.
LONGSHOT TO BACK: Western Kentucky +2850
Many will scoff at this selection after the Hilltoppers managed only three wins a season ago and is breaking in a new head coach. However, four of Western Kentucky’s defeats came by exactly three points to Old Dominion and Marshall in CUSA play as well as Louisville and Maine in non-conference action. Closing the year out with a big win in Ruston against Louisiana Tech as decided 10.5-point underdogs also sets this experienced team up for success heading into a new season. A total of 16 starters return with 10 coming on the offensive side of the ball. The experience factor should make things a bit easier for new head coach Tyson Helton to implement his new offensive schemes.
If nothing else, circle September 14 on your calendar for when the new-look Cardinals pay L.T. Smith Stadium a visit as I got Scott Satterfield’s squad being on upset alert. A tough non-conference schedule should have the Hilltoppers ready for the grind of the CUSA schedule even though their toughest opponents come on the road; save for a home date with FAU. The betting markets have bought into WKY leading up to kickoff of the regular season with it now offering a +2850 return after initially hitting the board at 40-1. If nothing else, the Hilltoppers won’t be the pushovers they were a season ago, and will likely see some positive regression in the ATS department because of it. They’re definitely a team to watch and invest in when wagering week-to-week!
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