With the 2017 College Football Season right around the corner, many teams will be in contention for the ever-exciting Conference USA crown. Here is a breakdown of the top C-USA favorites to win the conference, along with our best pick for the potential dark horse. The betting odds to win the Conference-USA this season have been provided by 5Dimes Sportsbook
TOP FAVORITES TO WIN THE CONFERENCE USA
WESTERN KENTUCKY +200
In 2016, the Hilltoppers lost quarterback Brandon Doughty, one of the most prolific passers in the history of the game. Despite this, Western Kentucky found a way to retain their supremacy in the C-USA seamlessly. Now, WKU has to do this again without Coach Jeff Brohm. Brohm was the architect of WKU’s rise to power and he has since moved from the Hilltoppers to pursue Power Five accolades at Purdue. Perhaps now, the Hilltoppers will take a step back.
LOUISANA TECH +450
Skip Holtz has the Bulldogs on the up-and-up in Ruston and now Louisiana Tech has become a household name across the Conference-USA. Tech features one of the most explosive offenses in all of the land and has proven to be a formidable foe to any Power Five conference opponents that scheduled them as a tune-up game. See Arkansas and Texas Tech. The problem with the Bulldogs has always been their defense. While LA Tech can put up points, they can also give them away generously which has been their downfall in high-stakes games.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE +700
The Blue Raiders once again return a prolific passer in Brent Stockstill who threw for over 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2016. Now, Stockstill is on the national radar for C-USA field generals and this could be beneficial for MTSU as the Conference USA looks to be a wide-open competition this year. Furthermore, the Blue Raiders have a negotiable schedule with only one true road test at Western Kentucky. Outside of this, MTSU could take advantage of the likes of Charlotte, FAU, FIU, UTEP and UAB, to set up a pivotal home finale against Old Dominion who won 10 games last year. The Blue Raiders may be worth a look.
OUR DARK HORSE PREDICTION TO WIN THE CONFERENCE USA
TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO +700
The Road Runners do just as their name entails, they run. In fact the Road Runners run really well as they feature a robust and polished triple option attack that has created a lot of trouble for some Power Five conference foes, just ask Arizona State and Texas A&M. The marquee wins for the Road Runners in 2016 were against favorite Southern Mississippi and a thrashing of Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, where the Blue Raiders are traditionally very tough to handle. The Road Runners come off what has to be classed as a successful year under now second-year coach Frank Wilson. UTSA went to its first ever bowl game where they were defeated by New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl. Nevertheless, the momentum is enough to build on and UTSA can have a statement season.
If you're looking for free CFB ATS selections this season make sure you visit our Expert CFB Picks Page.