2009 C-USA Fearless Predictions
Week 12 ... Nov. 21 Games, Part 2
East
UAB |
UCF
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East
Carolina
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Marshall
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Memphis
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Southern
Miss
West
Houston |
Rice
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SMU
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Tulane
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Tulsa
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UTEP
Conference USA Fearless Predictions
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11, Part 2 (ECU at Tulsa, & more)
UTEP (3-7) at Rice (1-9),3:30 EST, Saturday, November 21
Why to watch: And then there were three. Winless teams in the country, that is. Rice finally broke through after nine consecutive losses, defeating Tulane on Saturday, 28-20. That’s a big relief for the young Owls, who can now settle down and use the final two regular season games as building blocks for 2010. UTEP remains a blue and orange mystery that was good enough to upset Houston and Tulsa earlier in the year, yet has dropped three straight to fall out of the bowl panorama. The Miners’ inability to deliver after Halloween has become a disturbing and on-going trend ever since head coach Mike Price arrived in El Paso.
Why UTEP might win: Two words: Donald Buckram. The junior back is about the only thing the Miners can count on these days. And he’s actually talented enough to carry the team over the hump some weekends. Now No. 2 nationally in rushing, he’s averaging almost seven yards a carry and has exploded for more than 200 yards in three of the last six games. Even if QB Trevor Vittatoe doesn’t show up and contribute, Buckram has the skill set to torch an awful Rice defense on his own.
Why Rice might win: It’s been a long road getting to this point, but the Owls have finally achieved a level of offensive consistency, producing four touchdowns in each of the last two games. The success has been spearheaded by QB Nick Fanuzzi, who’s accounted for seven of those scores and helped turn receivers Toren Dixon and Patrick Randolph into potent playmakers. Bank on Fanuzzi building on the last couple of weeks, carving up a UTEP defense that gives up 464 yards and 35 points a game. In a track meet, Rice now has a triggerman to keep his team close.
Who to watch: In large part out of necessity, DB Travis Bradshaw has become a tackling machine at Rice. Outstanding in the open field, he’s collected a nation’s-high 74 solo tackles, including 15 in the last two games alone. In need of all the help they can get to stop Buckram, Bradshaw will freelance liberally from his Kat position in order to keep the dynamic Miner back from taking the game over.
What will happen: Neither team will play much defense, so this game will essentially come down to Buckram vs. Fanuzzi. Advantage UTEP. While Rice has a bright future behind center, Buckram is the type of back who can change the tempo of a game and keep opposing offenses frustrated on the sideline. He’ll shred the Owls for 175 yards and three scores, leading the Miners to their first win since Oct. 21.
CFN Prediction: UTEP 34 … Rice 24 ... Line: UTEP -7
Must See Rating: (WWII in HD 5
… Old Dogs 1) … 1
-Free Expert Football Prediction
SMU (6-4) at Marshall (5-5),4:30 EST, Saturday, November 21
Why to watch: Bowl eligibility. Pfff. SMU has already gotten over that achievement and now has its sights set on winning the West Division, an unimaginable goal just a few months ago. While the Mustangs have won three straight, including the last two nail-biters over Rice and UTEP, Houston squandered its divisional lead by losing at UCF last Saturday. And voila, SMU now controls its own destiny with two games left on the schedule. Looking to be more than just a spoiler, Marshall needs one more victory to become bowl-eligible and two to improve its chances of actually nabbing that invitation. The Herd, however, has lost three of its last four games, which has taken a toll on beleaguered head coach Mark Snyder.
Why SMU might win: While starting QB Bo Levi Mitchell has been injured, the offense hasn’t skipped a beat. Freshman Kyle Padron has been a capable successor, going 17-of-24 in each of his last two starts and putting explosive receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson in a position to make plays. Sprinkle in a little Shawnbrey McNeal, who rushed for a career-high 169 yards last week, and you’ve got a recipe for plenty of points this week in Huntington. Marshall better be careful with the ball on Saturday, which it hasn’t done often in 2009; the Mustangs lead Conference USA with 26 takeaways.
Why Marshall might win: Defense and the running game will be the cornerstones of a Herd team that can slow the game down and frustrate the Mustangs. Darius Marshall is the nation’s No. 11 rusher at 117 yards a game, and has the workhorse mentality to wear down an undersized SMU defense. The Marshall D, on the other hand, leads the conference in points allowed, and has been solid against the pass. Padron must keep his head on a swivel for DE Albert McClellan and LB Mario Harvey, and his receivers will struggle to shake free from corners DeQuan Bembry and Ahmed Shakoor.
Who to watch: Marshall QB Brian Anderson has had an uneven first season as a full-time starter, especially when forced to play outside his limited comfort zone. His safest best will be to try and isolate TE Cody Slate on a set of SMU linebackers that have had problems in pass coverage. The Mackey Award semifinalist has caught a team-high 50 balls for 607 yards and four scores, and will need to be more than just a security blanket again this weekend.
What will happen: Defense, the running game, and home field all favor Marshall, which will be a problem for the visitors. This is easily the best defensive unit Padron has faced, a fast and attacking group that limits big plays. The Mustangs’ problems will be further complicated by Marshall, who’s motivated and poised to rack up 100 yards on the ground.
CFN Prediction: Marshall 27 … SMU 23 ... Line: Marshall -3.5
Must See Rating: (WWII in HD 5
… Old Dogs 1) … 2.5
Tulsa (4-6) at Southern Miss (6-4),7:00 EST, Saturday, November 21
Why to watch: What the heck has happened to Tulsa? Maybe departed offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was really that important because this is not the same program that had won 38 games in the previous four years. This Hurricane edition has had breakdowns in all phases, losing five in-a-row and likely slipping completely out of the bowl picture. Southern Miss is coming off its first road win of the season, a pivotal 27-20 victory over Marshall. With two more wins, including next weekend’s key showdown with East Carolina, the Golden Eagles will stake a claim to no worse than a share of the East Division title.
Why Tulsa might win: Even in losing, the Hurricane has shown signs of life on offense and still harbors some dangerous playmakers. QB G.J. Kinne is a dual-threat, who can make things happen with his feet or make connections downfield with any number of speedsters, including Damaris Johnson, Slick Shelley, or Trae Johnson. Charles Clay is a well-sized hybrid, who has rushed for five touchdowns and caught 24 passes. You never know when this group is going to erupt, like it did two weeks ago against Houston.
Why Southern Miss might win: The Tulsa defense has been shredded the last two games. While there’s no shame in getting lit up by Houston, when East Carolina has its best day of the year against you, it’s a big problem. The Golden Eagles have regrouped nicely since QB Austin Davis was injured, remaining a balanced attack that’ll run it with Damion Fletcher and Tory Harrison, or turn Martevious Young loose on rollouts. Young has been a revelation since moving into the lineup, throwing eight touchdown passes and just a single pick. If Southern Miss can get WR DeAndre Brown in man-coverage, the Hurricane secondary is in trouble.
Who to watch: One of the underlying problems in Tulsa has been an offensive line that’s been dressed down on a weekly basis. The Hurricane is 118th nationally in sacks allowed, which won’t be lost on the Southern Miss coaching staff. It’ll demand that DE Terrance Conner and linebackers Korey Williams and Cordarro Law test that front wall until it crumbles. Each member of the trio has at least nine tackles for loss, a number that’s bound to go up by the end of the weekend.
What will happen: If Tulsa hasn’t been able to pitch a complete game in over a month, why should anyone trust it’ll happen now that the season is circling the drain? Southern Miss is not just playing better, but it also has plenty more at stake, including staying within reach of East Carolina. The Eagles will come out of the tunnel swinging, taking away whatever fight is left in the Hurricane before hopes for an upset can materialize.
CFN Prediction: Southern Miss 31 … Tulsa 23 ... Line: Southern Miss -7.5
Must See Rating: (WWII in HD 5 … Old Dogs 1) … 2
-Free Expert Football Prediction