C-USA Bowl Projections: Chaotic finish leads to changes entering final weekend
Conference USA football always seems to get weird in the closing weeks of the season, and the 2019 campaign has not disappointed.
With Charlotte stunning Marshall 24-13 and FIU pulling off an epic 30-24 upset of Miami last week, C-USA will finish the season with eight bowl-eligible teams. Charlotte (6-5) has a good shot at reaching the seven-win mark at Old Dominion on Saturday and FIU (6-5) can help its case for a bowl bid with a win at Marshall.
Florida Atlantic (8-3), Louisiana Tech (8-3), UAB (8-3), Southern Miss (7-4), Western Kentucky (7-4) and Marshall (7-4) are also bowl eligible entering the final week of the regular season.
C-USA features only five primary bowl tie-ins, but there’s a chance that all eight teams will find postseason destinations. FIU is the team that will probably have the hardest time receiving a bowl bid.
Here are the C-USA bowl projections for the final week:
BAHAMAS BOWL (DEC. 20) — NASSAU
Southern Miss (7-4) vs. Eastern Michigan (6-5)
USM’s loss to WKU last week served as a significant hit, but a win at FAU on Saturday could help the Eagles regain some momentum. The Eagles are still in the hunt in the C-USA West with a three-way tie atop the division with UAB and La. Tech at 5-2 in league play.
FRISCO BOWL (DEC. 20) — FRISCO, TEXAS
Marshall (7-4) vs. UCF (8-3)
The Thundering Herd need a rebound vs. FIU after stumbling on the road at Charlotte.
NEW MEXICO BOWL (DEC. 21) — ALBUQUERQUE
Charlotte (6-5) vs. Nevada (7-4)
Charlotte appears to be in good position to beat Old Dominion on Saturday and get to seven wins in Will Healy’s first season as head coach.
NEW ORLEANS BOWL (DEC. 21) — NEW ORLEANS
WKU (7-4) vs. Appalachian State (10-1)
WKU should close out the season with an 8-4 mark when it hosts a struggling Middle Tennessee team on Saturday. The Sun Belt opponent will be whoever wins the conference title game between Louisiana-Lafayette and Appalachian State.
GASPARILLA BOWL (DEC. 23) — TAMPA
FAU (8-3) vs. SMU (9-2)
The Owls can clinch the East with a win over Southern Miss on Saturday.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL (Dec. 26) — SHREVEPORT, LA.
FIU (6-5) vs. Florida State (6-5)
The Panthers would love this matchup. The Seminoles, not so much.
FIRST RESPONDER BOWL (DEC. 30) — DALLAS
La. Tech (8-3) vs. TCU (5-6)
The Bulldogs have to stop the bleeding vs. UTSA on Saturday. Tech is a 19 ½-point favorite over the Roadrunners on Saturday, but I expected a more competitive game than that.
BIRMINGHAM BOWL (JAN. 2) — BIRMINGHAM
UAB (8-3) vs. Navy (8-2)
Will head coach Bill Clark be hired away by another program before this game?
