TJ Chapman
Lead Columnist, Editor
Over the next few weeks, the Group of 5 conferences are going to start sorting out their championship game participants. This week, there are major games in the American Conference and Mountain West Conference. These games will start to shape the postseason for both. Below are this week’s featured games.
USF (6-1, 3-0) @ Memphis (6-1, 2-1) 7:00 p.m. ET, Oct. 24, Memphis, TN on ESPN2
The importance of this game cannot be overstated. If USF wins, it moves into a tie with Navy atop the American standings. The loss would all but eliminate Memphis from making the championship game. However, if Memphis wins, the Tigers will pull ahead of USF into third place, behind Navy and Tulane. The loss would hurt USF but not cause the damage a loss would to Memphis.
USF’s offense is led by QB Byrum Brown, who has 1,695 passing yards with 16 TDs and 5 INTs. Brown also leads the Bulls in rushing with 475 yards and 6 TDs. The defense is led by LB Mac Harris, who has 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 pick six and has forced 3 fumbles. The 5.5 sacks tie Harris for 14th in the FBS.
Memphis is a run-heavy team that is averaging 221.6 rushing yards per game. The three-headed monster of QB Brendon Lewis and RBs Sutton Smith and Greg Desrosiers, Jr., has combined for 1,309 yards and 18 TDs. Lewis is listed as questionable for the game with a leg injury. DB Kamari Wilson has 40 tackles, 3 passes broken up, 2 INTs and 1 forced fumble.
Western Kentucky (5-2, 3-1) @ Louisiana Tech (4-2, 2-1) 7:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 21, Ruston, LA on CBS Sports Network
The winner of this game takes over sole possession of third place in the Conference USA standings. WKU currently is in third place, but a win for Louisiana Tech catapults the Bulldogs ahead of WKU.
QB Maverick McIvor leads Western Kentucky’s Air-Raid attack. McIvor has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,863 yards with 12 TDs and 5 INTs. WRs Matthew Henry and KD Hutchinson have combined for 53 catches for 765 yards and 6 TDs.
The Western Kentucky defense gives up a lot of yards (403.1) but tends to tighten up when its opponents are trying to score. The Hilltoppers give up 23.1 points per game.
Louisiana Tech is the complete opposite of Western Kentucky. On offense, the Bulldogs are a more ground-and-pound style, chewing up the clock. And on defense, they are stout against both the run and the pass.
Tech will be without leading tackler, LB Kolbe Fields, who was lost to a season-ending lower-body injury. LB Mekhi Mason leads the Bulldogs with 3 sacks and will be leaned upon more to slow down the WKU passing game. Great game in store for #WeekdayCUSA.
Western Michigan (4-3, 3-0) @ Miami (OH) (4-3, 3-0) 3:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 25, Oxford, OH on ESPN+
Massive game in the MAC as far as conference positioning is concerned. Both squads are 3-0 in conference and looking to keep pace with Buffalo, which is also 3-0.
Western Michigan’s run-heavy offense is led by QB Broc Lowery. The sophomore has 992 passing yards with 5 TDs and 1 INT. But he leads the team in rushing with 427 yards and 7 TDs. The 7 TDs are tied for 10th among QBs in the FBS.
Head coach Lance Taylor’s defense is anchored by DE Nadame Tucker. The 6-foot-three, 250-pounder is tied for fourth in the FBS with 8.5 sacks.
Miami QB DeQuan Finn has struggled in the passing game this year. Finn has completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 997 yards with 6 TDs and 5 INTs. However, Finn makes up for it in the run game, leading the Redhawks in rushing with 332 yards and 3 TDs. RB Jordan Brunson has 305 rushing yards and 2 TDs.
Miami’s defense has been tough, giving up 328.1 yards per game. DB Eli Blakey leads the team with 53 tackles and 6 passes broken up. LB Adam Trick is tied for 14th in the FBS in sacks with 5.5.
San Diego State (5-1, 2-0) @ Fresno State (5-2, 2-1) 3:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 25, Fresno, CA on FS1
The Battle for the Old Oil Can! San Diego State leads the series 31-27-4. San Diego State is coming off a bye week and has won 4 straight. QB Jayden Dengal has 1,097 passing yards with 7 TDs and 2 INTs. RB Lucky Sutton leads the Aztecs with 531 rushing yards and 6 TDs.
San Diego State’s defense is 16th in the FBS in pass defense, giving up a paltry 164.0 passing yards per game. CB Chris Johnson has 5 passes broken up, is tied for 8th in the FBS with 3 INTs and has returned two of those for TDs. EDGE Trey White leads the Aztecs with 4 sacks.
Fresno State’s offense has been a mixed bag so far. QB EJ Warner has completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 1,486 yards and 10 TDs. He has also thrown 9 INTs. Fresno State’s offense has turned the ball over 14 times, tied for No. 122 in the FBS. By contrast, San Diego State’s offense has only turned the ball over 2 times, No. 3 in the FBS. WR Josiah Freeman is the leading receiver with 24 catches for 300 yards and 4 TDs.
The Bulldogs’ defense is also good against the pass, giving up 190.4 passing yards per game. LB Jordan Pearson is tied for 30th in the FBS with 59 tackles. Pearson’s LB mate, K’Vion Thunderbird, has 3 passes broken up and 2 INTs, one of which is a pick six.
ULM (3-4, 1-2) @ Southern Miss (5-2, 3-0) 3:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 25, Hattiesburg, MS on ESPN+
The ULM offense has struggled this season, averaging 325.6 yards per game. RB Braylon McReynolds leads the squad with 437 rushing yards and 2 TDs.
ULM’s pass defense has been gouged for 242.7 yards per game, No. 102 in the FBS. That will be a problem as Southern Miss is a passing team. The Eagles will be wise to avoid Warhawks’ DB D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, who has 3 sacks and 7 passes broken up.
The Southern Miss offense is led by QB Braylon Braxton, who has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,710 yards with 14 TDs and 4 INTs. Braxton spreads the ball out among the receivers as 16 different Eagles have caught a pass this year.
The Southern Miss defense is phenomenal. The Eagles are ranked in the top 15 nationally in three categories: T No. 2 INTs (13), T No. 3 Turnover margin (+9), T No. 12 sacks (21). LB Chris Jones is No. 7 in the FBS in tackles with 72 and is second on the team with 3.5 sacks.
TJ Chapman
Lead Columnist, Editor
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TJ Chapman
Lead Columnist, Editor
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TJ Chapman
Lead Columnist, Editor
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