This is a transition year for Conference USA going into 2022 and things will be just as turbulent in 2023. Three of the Conferences stalwarts have already jumped ship and another six will be gone in 2023! This means that there is no divisional structure and instead the top two teams will play in the conference game. Will the Conference survive? We hope so and we are looking forward to seeing FCS teams Jacksonville & Sam Houston moving into it in 2023.
Anyway, this year looks like being a battle between last year’s top three teams. The rest will be left in their wake but the conference should at least fill its Bowl Affiliation slots with eligible teams.
The Contenders
The Three teams who look set to fight out the finish are…
UTSA who are the defending C-USA champions. They had a tremendous 2021 finishing 12-1 in the regular season, which included admittedly one-score wins over Illinois & Memphis! They have enough starters returning to make them a force again, especially on offense. They won’t win 12 games this time given their tough non-conference schedule however they look good enough to squeeze out double digits again.
Their main divisional rival last year was UAB, however, they will be without head coach Bill Clark who announced his retirement in June. He has been a key part of their recent success and this coaching upheaval may make a difference.
Western Kentucky can’t be counted out, although they will miss Bailey Zappe big style. He threw 62 TDs for them in 2021. Replacing him will be a tall task and thus we expect a step back in 2022.
Bowl Eligibility Hopefuls
Louisiana Tech had a poor 2021 win-wise anyway finishing 3-9. However, five of those losses were one-score affairs and these included close ones against Mississippi State & SMU. They have added QB Matthew Downing from TCU and he should do well at this level. If they can sort out the running game then they could get to six wins.
North Texas had an awful start to 2021 but came good down the stretch winning their last five games,. This included a great win over UTSA in their final game to reach bowl eligibility. They have to play the top three contenders on the road and that should cap their progress. Still another trip to a bowl looks possible.
UTEP had a breakout year in 2021 reaching a bowl game for the first time since 2014. Quarterback Gavin Hardison is back and if he can overcome the loss of his favourite target Jacob Cowing then they should be looking at another trip to a bowl game in December.
Bowl Possibles
Florida Atlantic have a tough non-conference slate, which will cap their wins total. However, they could sneak into a bowl slot. We have them down for another five-win season but their offense is good enough to get them an unexpected extra victory.
Mid Tennessee similarly could scrape to six wins, but they have few starters returning and a slight fallback is possible while they adjust to their new offensive coordinator Mitch Stewart.
Our predicted finishing order and wins total is below…
C-USA 2022 Predicted Finish
UTSA 10-2
UAB 9-3
Western Kentucky 9-3
Louisiana Tech 6-6
North Texas 6-6
UTEP 6-6
Florida Atlantic 5-7
Middle Tennessee 5-7
Charlotte 4-8
Rice 3-9
Florida International 2-10
C-USA Champions?
We are predicting UTSA for the repeat just edging out UAB. Before you go check out our other college football posts.
