C-USA wagering sneak peek: Win overalls, conference and national title chances

Aug 20, 2024, 12:00 PM ET As we prepare for the 2024 Conference USA football season, there’s plenty to dissect, including appealing stories, standout players, and coaching changes. Here’s what you can anticipate from the top contenders and key players to watch.The conference

has become a lot more fascinating with the intro of the brand-new 12-team College Football Playoff format, which offers the C-USA champion with an opportunity to protect an automated bid.Liberty is once again the preferred to win after an exceptional 2023 season, ending up with a 13-1 record, consisting of a perfect 8-0 run in conference play and a success in the C-USA National championship. Liberty (-210 )is among two Group of Five groups with minus odds to win a conference title. However, the Flames had among the most convenient schedules in the country, ranked 132nd out of 133 NCAA Division 1 FBS teams.Jacksonville State made the jump to FBS in 2023, signing up with the C-USA and ended up the season with a 9-4 record. Senior QB Logan Smothers was called the starter for this year and demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities in 11 appearances and four starts last season. Expect a smooth transition into the full-time gig for Smothers in 2024. New Mexico State likewise had a notable 2023 season, completing with a 10-5 record in their very first year in conference. The Aggies achieved their very first eight-win season considering that 1965 and secured their first-ever triumph over an SEC group by beating Auburn 31-10. However, changing the production of quarterback Diego Pavia will be hard. With a new head coach in Tony Sanchez and new organizers, I would warn versus backing the Aggies in the futures market.Here is each team’s routine season win overalls and championship game odds as we head into the season.Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC, MAC, Independents Showing up: Mountain West (Aug. 21 )Chances accurate since publication. For the most up-to-date odds, see ESPN BET.

C-USA Odds Maldonado’s

Pick: Western Kentucky over 7.5 wins (-130)Known for their high-scoring offense, Western

Kentucky is

the team to watch in the C-USA and quarterback TJ Finley is somebody to keep

an eye on. The Texas State transfer had an effective season last year, recording 3,439 passing lawns and 24 touchdowns for the Bobcats. He signs up with a Hilltoppers offense that ranked initially in the conference in passing backyards and passing backyards per game.Finley will be a key part of Western Kentucky’s success since of his extensive experience at LSU, Auburn and Texas State. He is understood for his strong arm, can make deep throws and stretch the field, which is important in the Hilltoppers’Air Raid offense.The group’s brand-new offensive planner, Will Friend, has proficiency training the offensive line, which need to be beneficial for Finley and provide the defense he requires to perform plays effectively. I’m eagerly anticipating the partnership in between Finley and Good friend. Both have hung out in the competitive SEC and Friend is well-equipped to craft strategies that can optimize Finley’s strengths.