Conference USA Week 6 Preview

MATCHUPS

Mississippi State at UAB

Memphis at Rice

Southern Mississippi at Navy

East Carolina at Houston

Marshall at Central Florida

Syracuse at Tulane

The most intriguing clash in week six of the C-USA slate is... hard to determine. In C-USA East, Marshall and Central Florida will lock horns in a matchup that is made even more significant by the fact that Marshall already owns a victory over another East team, Southern Mississippi. Marshall has exceeded expectations so far this season, while UCF has played well below expectations. The Golden Knights were supposed to be even better than the C-USA championship outfit of 2010. Quarterback Jeff Godfrey was supposed to be an even more polished and electric playmaker, but he simply hasn’t found a rhythm. UCF’s offense has struggled on a regular basis, raising questions about this team’s ability to defend its league and division titles. If Marshall can max out and beat the Knights in Orlando, the East will become a toss-up at the midway point of the season.

The other big clash in C-USA is an interdivisional duel between East Carolina – the school that owned the East in recent years before UCF’s 2010 breakthrough – and Houston, the team ECU defeated for the 2009 league title. East Carolina can’t protect the ball, while Houston is having a hard time stopping opponents. ECU committed four turnovers in a span of five possessions over the course of its last two games against UAB and North Carolina. Meanwhile, Houston allowed UTEP – a not-very-potent offensive team – to rack up 42 points and penetrate the Cougars’ 30-yard line on a potential game-tying drive last week. Casual fans will pay attention to Houston’s offense and ECU’s defense, but the key to Pirates-Coogs will be the other matchup. Houston’s defense holds the key to the Cougars’ hopes of winning C-USA West this season.