Before we get to this weekend’s games, a special shoutout to Kennesaw State.
Sitting at 3-0 in conference and 5-2 overall, this has been one of the more impressive turnarounds in all of college football. Last year (and the year before that), this team struggled mightily to move the ball. But thanks to new coach Jerry Mack and quarterback Amari Odom, they are opening up the offense in a big way while maintaining their pretty stingy defense. They play again Tuesday at home against a UTEP team that is showing signs of life behind quarterback Malachi Nelson Skyler Locklear. They also face fellow 3-0 Jacksonville State in mid-November in a game that will determine at least one of the conference title foes. (Don’t rule out Liberty.)
Now onto the rest of the G5 schedule. Conferences are starting to really take shape. UNLV finally ran into a team that plays defense, getting boatraced by Boise St. last week. North Texas bounced back from their loss to USF by beating up rival UTSA, and James Madison put some distance between them and the rest of the Sun Belt by plastering Old Dominion in the second half. And MACtion is right around the corner. It is best enjoyed with as little knowledge as possible, but there are three teams sitting at 3-0. We’ll get there.
South Florida at Memphis
(Line: USF -5.5, O/U 62.5)
Probably the G5 Game of the Week and arguably should be College Gameday’s location this week.
The game lost a bit of luster after the Tigers shocking 31-24 loss to UAB last week. That was a perfect storm of circumstances. The Blazers were playing their first game after the dumpster fire that was the Trent Dilfer Era ended in a look ahead spot. Expect them to play well against South Florida in a game that would vault them back into the playoff conversation if they win.
App St. at Old Dominion
(Line: Old Dominion -14.5, O/U 62.5)
Real talk, Old Dominion is good. But we as a nation were probably a bit ahead of our skis thinking they were a playoff contender. But that was a fun September.
The Monarchs have given up *checks notes* 111 points in their last two games, against Marshall and James Madison. Honestly, it causes me to judge Indiana a little bit for only scoring 27 against them Week One. There is an opportunity to bounce back against a mid App State squad who gave away a game to Coastal Carolina last week 45-37. (Expect points, hint hint.)
Ohio at Eastern Michigan
(Line: Ohio -12.5, O/U 60.5)
Ohio is one of those teams that I can’t quit. They are sitting at 4-3 and 2-1 in conference, but if you asked me the best team in the MAC, I would still say the Bobcats despite stats that suggest otherwise. Nonetheless, they are still in the conference race, but need to win games like this at the Factory to keep their status.
Akron at Buffalo
(Line: Buffalo -9.5, O/U 47.5)
Buffalo’s AD must have something on the commissioner of the MAC, because the Bulls have played Kent St., Eastern Michigan and UMass to get out to an 0-3 start. Now they get the Zips. It does get tougher when MACtion rolls around, but this may be the team to beat based on schedule alone.
Utah St. at New Mexico
(Line: New Mexico -2.5, O/U 61.5)
The winner of this game will be 5-3. That’s kinda enough to make this game interesting, but with whispers of New Mexico coach Jason Eck as a Power 4 candidate, the Lobos may have more on their mind than bowl eligibility. Meanwhile Utah St. is coming off a Friday night win over San Jose St. Two of their three losses have been to Top 10 SEC teams Vanderbilt and Texas A&M, so they are definitely dangerous.
San Diego St. at Fresno St.
(Line: San Diego St. -2.5, O/U 47.5)
Just because UNLV is out of the Mountain West picture for the time being doesn’t mean Boise St.’s path is completely clear. Both these teams will get a shot at the Broncos before all is said and done, but first they have to go through each other. The Aztecs are quietly 5-1, with only a loss Week 2 at Washington St. on their resume. Meanwhile Fresno St. needs to bounce back after their loss to Colorado St. two weeks ago.
UL Monroe at Southern Miss/Louisiana at Troy
(Line: USM -11.5, O/U 50.5) / (Line: Troy -9.5, O/U 47.5)
Southern Miss and Troy are tied atop the Sun Belt West at 3-0 and 5-2 overall. Both host opponents they should beat handily, but we all know how these things go. Their showdown is the final game of the season, so we have a ways to go before anything will be determined. Will one of them get tripped up along the way or are they on a collision course? Keep an eye on this race.
Florida Atlantic at Navy
(Line: Navy -15.5, O/U 62.5)
Talk to your kids about a playoff Navy while you can.
This is the last game of what has been a Charmin soft first half of the schedule for the Midshipmen. November is going to be murderous. (At North Texas, At Notre Dame, South Florida, At Memphis) then Army to end the season. This team could legit end up 7-5, so it would be in their best interest not to look past FAU.
Western Michigan at Miami (OH)
(Line: Miami (OH) -2.5, O/U 41.5)
What if I told you that the best defense in the Group of Five resided in Kalamazoo, Michigan?
That might be up for debate, but Western Michigan is undefeated in the conference with wins of Toledo, UMass and Ball St. and has given up 16 points in this 3 games. They face another undefeated conference team in Miami. The game is in Ohio, which favors the RedHawks, but defense travels. This may not be an offensive masterclass, but the winner will be considered the conference favorite for the time being.
