Note: originally posted Saturday morning, but due to technical difficulties content was reposted.
A look ahead to today’s biggest matchups featuring teams from Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Western Athletic Conference. Note: Rankings are (AP/Coaches/BCS)
Conference USA
Southern Mississippi (5-3, 3-1) at (15/16/18) Houston (6-1, 2-1), 1 ET, (CSS): Since being stunned by UTEP, the Cougars have won three in a row and have beaten their last two C-USA opponents (Tulane and SMU) by a total of 51 points. Houston averages 40.43 points per game (tied for third in the nation) and is in a four-way tie for first in C-USA West Division with UTEP, Tulsa and SMU. Southern Mississippi is looking to keep pace with East Carolina who is 4-1 after its win over Memphis earlier this week and is tied with Marshall, who is also 3-1 and plays at Central Florida on Sunday night. It is the first meeting between the schools since the Cougars defeated the Golden Eagles 34-20 in the 2006 Conference USA Championship game.
SMU (3-4, 2-1) at Tulsa (4-3, 2-1), 2 ET, (CW33 in DFW Metroplex): SMU and Tulsa, who are tied with Houston and UTEP for the lead in the Conference USA West with a 2-1 record, will meet for the 17th time. SMU leads the series 10-6; however, the Mustangs have lost three out of their last four meetings with the Golden Hurricane. The big question will be who June Jones has behind center for the Mustangs. Sophomore Bo Levi Mitchell remains a game-time decision. Mitchell has a slight tear in the labrum of his separated left shoulder. If Mitchell cannot go, true freshman Kyle Padron will start. Saturday’s game will be only the third home game for the Golden Hurricane this season.
MAC
Central Michigan (7-1) at Boston College (5-3), 3:30 ET (ESPNU): The Chippewas have won seven straight games after losing their season opener to Arizona. A win at BC would most likely push Central into the rankings and give the program its first eight-game win streak since 1979-80. The Chips are currently 26th in the coaches’ poll and 27th in the Associated Press poll. Central Michigan is 0-4 all-time against the current members of the ACC, including a 31-24 loss against Boston College in 2006 in Mount Pleasant. The Eagles have won seven straight home games. Boston College has already played one MAC opponent this season, defeating Kent State, 34-7 on Sept. 12.
Mountain West
Wyoming (4-3, 2-1) at (19/19/16) Utah (6-0, 3-1), 8 ET (The Mtn.): It will be the second annual “blackout” game for Utah as the team will sport all black uniforms. Last year’s blackout resulted in a 13-10 win over TCU. The Utes last lost at home to Wyoming in 1999 and have beaten the Cowboys in eight of their last nine meetings, including their last four in Salt Lake City. The last two years the Utes have beaten Wyoming by a cumulative score of 90-7. Dave Christensen has already made great strides in his first year as the head coach at Wyoming. A win here would be a huge statement and would put the Cowboys in the thick of the Mountain West race.
Sun Belt
Louisiana-Monroe (4-3, 3-0) at Troy (5-2, 4-0), 7 ET: It is a shame that a game of this caliber will not be broadcasted. Troy has either won or shared the last three league titles. The Trojans have gone 22-3 in conference play since 2006. The Trojans are led by senior quarterback Levi Brown, who has won the conference’s weekly offensive player of the week award the last two weeks and four of the last six overall. ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie remains coy about which quarterback he will start. Either redshirt freshman Cody Wells or redshirt junior Trey Revell, who broke his thumb two weeks ago against Arkansas State, will get the call. The Warhawks handed the Trojans their last Sun Belt loss, defeating Troy 31-30 in Monroe last Nov. 1.
Non-Conference
Temple (5-2) at Navy (6-2), 3:30 p.m. (CBSC): A game where one team’s five-game win streak must come to an end. The Midshipmen have not had a six-game win streak since 1979 and are coming off a win against Wake Forest. Temple hasn’t had a six-game win streak since 1973. Both teams will have to overcome their problems on Halloween. Temple is 1-7-3 all-time on the 31st while Navy is 1-12-1.
Others to watch:
- Western Michigan (4-4, 3-2) at Kent State (4-4, 3-1), 2 ET
- Air Force (4-4, 3-2) at Colorado State (3-5, 0-4), 4 ET (The Mtn.)
- San Jose State (1-5, 0-2) at (6/5/7) Boise State (7-0, 2-0), 3 ET (ESPN360.com/Gameplan)
- UNLV (3-5, 1-3) at (8/6/6) TCU (7-0, 3-0), 4 ET (Versus)
- Arkansas State (2-4) at Louisville (2-5), 3:30 ET (ESPN360.com)
