2022 Conference USA Predictions

With Marshall, Southern Miss and Old Dominion leaving the conference this year, the Conference USA could be completely wide open.

But probably not.

Meep meep.

1. UTSA Roadrunners

UTSA was dangerously close to an undefeated season last year before they lost it at the very last second with a loss to North Texas, but that shouldn’t make much difference.

The offense remains mostly the same, and the only other threat in the conference this year went through too many changes.

The Roadrunners should repeat.

2. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Western Kentucky made their mark last year with a bunch of transfers and a fun new offense.

This year, they have a bunch of transfers, but the fun new offense has a new coordinator at the helm with Zach Kittley going to Texas Tech.

Long story short, they’ll still be good and probably fun. But not good enough to compete with UTSA.

Maybe not even good enough to finish second…

3. UAB Blazers

UAB lives and breathes defense.

The offense struggles, but that’s not entirely relevant when the rest of the conference doesn’t have the firepower to keep up anyway.

Their defense might be good enough to have them finish ahead of Western Kentucky, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

4. UTEP Miners

The Miners started hot and really fell off at the end, while the team I have picked 5th was the exact opposite.

Typically, I would have them swapped, as a team that finished hot could likely keep that going while one that crawled to the finish might have that lingering.

But not this time!

15 starters return, and you know they are dying to show that the first half of last season is the real Miners as opposed to the latter half.

5. North Texas Mean Green

North Texas finished hot, leading to ruining UTSA’s perfect season bid.

Maybe I don’t trust that sustainability. Maybe I don’t trust their offense which struggled mightily.

Or maybe I’m just petty for them ruining UTSA’s perfect season bid.

Have I mentioned that North Texas ruined UTSA’s perfect season bid?

Yeah. It bugs me.

6. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

MTSU typically has a year where they’re a pretty good football team.

It’s been about 5 years since they won 8 games.

They’re due again.

7. Charlotte 49ers

Offense! Offense! Offense!

Charlotte’s offense is explosive and fun. Charlotte’s defense is not good at all.

They’re going to be fun, but it likely won’t translate to a ton of wins, but as you watch more sports you’ll eventually agree with me when I say this.

Who cares?

8. Florida Atlantic Owls

I think Willie Taggart’s time at Florida State might have ruined him.

I hope not. He seems like a good guy.

But he’s still yet to get FAU back to where he and Lane Kiffin left them.

Until I see otherwise, I assume that trend will keep.

9. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

A brand new head coach at a school that doesn’t pump out talent year after year.

Year one could be rough for Sunny Crumble and LA Tech, but that’s ok.

Nobody is expecting perfection.

10. Florida International Panthers

Good heavens, FIU is bad.

They’re really, really bad.

In fact, how are they not last? Who could possibly be worse than FIU?

11. Rice Owls

Ah.

Right.

C-USA Championship Prediction

UTSA vs Western Kentucky.

My favorite team name (Roadrunners) vs my favorite live mascot (the monstrosity at the top of this post).

But, in terms of pure football, I’m not sure this one is so close.

UTSA wins the Conference USA.

Tomorrow, we tackle #MACtion.