C-USA Bowl Projections: Can all eight eligible teams land postseason bids?
With one bowl already settled, seven other bowl-eligible Conference USA teams are anxious to find out how the rest of the bids will be handed out this weekend.
Charlotte (7-5) is Bahamas Bowl-bound after it was revealed Sunday that the 49ers will be taking on the Buffalo Bulls in the Dec. 20 game. It’s difficult for fans to make the trip to Nassau, but it’s a nice reward for Will Healy’s squad.
There are 79 bowl-eligible teams for 78 spots to fill this season, meaning there’s a decent shot that C-USA will find bids for all eight teams. With a record of 6-6, FIU is the team in most danger of being left out. A late-season win over Miami should give the Panthers a good chance compared to other 6-6 Group of 5 programs.
Joining Charlotte and FIU as bowl-eligible C-USA squads are FAU (9-3), UAB (9-3), Louisiana Tech (9-3), Marshall (8-4), WKU (8-4) and Southern Miss (7-5).
The conference features six primary bowl tie-ins with a couple of other games, the Independence Bowl and Boca Raton Bowl, featuring conditional tie-ins.
Entering Saturday’s C-USA title game between FAU and UAB, here’s how I see the bowl field shaking out for conference squads:
BAHAMAS BOWL (DEC. 20) — NASSAU
Charlotte (7-5) vs. Buffalo (7-5)*
First-year Charlotte coach Will Healy is already a popular candidate for some big-time jobs, including possibly Ole Miss.
FRISCO BOWL (DEC. 20) — FRISCO, TEXAS
La. Tech (9-3) vs. UCF (9-3)
The Bulldogs always want to stay in the Dallas-Forth Worth area and this would be a solid matchup.
NEW MEXICO BOWL (DEC. 21) — ALBUQUERQUE
FIU (6-6) vs. Wyoming (7-5)
The Panthers salvaged an underwhelming season with a late win over Miami.
NEW ORLEANS BOWL (DEC. 21) — NEW ORLEANS
UAB (9-3) vs. Appalachian State (11-1)
UAB has yet to play in the New Orleans Bowl and Blazers fans should make this trip to the Superdome.
GASPARILLA BOWL (DEC. 23) — TAMPA
FAU (9-3) vs. SMU (10-2)
Unless something attractive opens up as an at-large bid, this game makes a lot of sense for FAU if it wins the C-USA title.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL (Dec. 26) — SHREVEPORT, LA.
Marshall (8-4) vs. Miami (6-6)
Marshall always likes to take on a big shot program.
FIRST RESPONDER BOWL (DEC. 30) — DALLAS
Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Western Michigan (7-5)
This game probably isn’t at the Hilltoppers’ list of bowl destinations, but this slate is a little harder to fill in with so many teams involved.
BIRMINGHAM BOWL (JAN. 2) — BIRMINGHAM
Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Tulane (6-6)
This is an old rivalry that should bring a few folks to a cold Legion Field. USM could land in one of several spots, but the New Orleans Bowl seems off the table after back-to-back losses to close out the season.
*Bowl matchup already set.
