Conference USA Football Future Lines – Bodog Sportsbook
If you like high scoring football then you have to be a fan of Conference USA, where teams regularly run up and down the field on each other.
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Still, the one team that has been most committed to defense, UCF, is also the team that has had the most in-conference success of late – winning the title last year.
Conference USA 2011 – Odds to Win Conference
Houston 7/4
Southern Mississippi 3/1
Central Florida 4/1
Alabama Birmingham 8/1
SMU 8/1
Tulsa 8/1
East Carolina 20/1
Rice 25/1
Marshall 28/1
Tulane 50/1
Memphis 66/1
UTEP 66/1
This year they may be trying to fly along with the rest of the pack as their offense boasts much more experience than their defense. In this conference there are no shortage of legitimate contenders. 
The bottom may be a dog’s breakfast (Memphis, Tulane – Yuck) but I think there are as many as seven teams that could say they have the stuff to win it.
Best Bet – UCF
Even with graduation losses this Knights team still may have the best defense in the league and at the very least they are committed to it.
Also, this year they have an emerging offense with lots of running backs returning and one of the most exciting QBs in Jeff Godfrey. He may not sling it like some of the other more established QBs in this pass happy league, but he is a dynamic run/pass threat with great poise. The key will be keeping him upright for the entire season as he is a bit slight of stature.
The Knights commitment to defense makes them especially tough to beat in a title game scenario if they get there.
Best Value – SMU
Ever since June Jones came back stateside a lot has been expected of the SMU Mustangs.
This team continues to mature and if they can just get better on defense (you have to get stops when you need them) they have an excellent chance to win it. The same can be said for most teams in C-USA but the thing I really like about SMU is that they can play a power running smashmouth style if they want with monster back Zach Line. Kyle Padron may have next level talent but he needs to start playing his best in big games for SMU to make a move and take the conference.
He is running out of time.
Best Schedule – Houston
The biggest scheduling coup the Cougars might have pulled is scheduling Case Keenum’s eligibility hearing on a day the NCAA was actually in a good mood this offseason. All kidding aside they have a nice slate of conference games with the toughest being on the road at Tulsa to close the season.
The other road trips are @Tulane, @UAB and @UTEP – all winnable. Best of all they dodge both UCF and Southern Miss this year, the top teams from the East decision.
They have to beat SMU at home to have a chance at the championship game.
Prediction – UCF
I really trust UCF coach O’leary to be able to mold himself a defense that will take the Knights to the championship game. Last year was a breakthrough season as they beat a BCS opponent (Georgia) for the first time in 10 tries and I think their offense will continue to improve throughout the season, helped no doubt by some of the sieves that call themselves defenses in this conference.
Who will challenge them in the title game? Looks like a close but no cigar finale for Houston QB Case Keenum.
By that time he should have broken all the records he needs to so don’t feel bad.
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