Conference USA Football Week Nine (10/28/06) Preview & Picks

Due to time demands, we were unable to include a preview of the Friday night game between UTEP and Tulsa. We will have a detailed preview of the UAB @ SMU game in the next few days as that game will be played on Tuesday night. Thanks for visiting CUSA-Fans.com!

East Carolina @ Southern Miss

East Carolina travels to “The Rock” to face its old nemesis Southern Miss. The two teams have played 31 times and the Golden Eagles have won 24 of them.

This meeting is a critical Conference USA East Division match-up. Southern Miss is atop the division, but the Pirates can possibly put themselves in a tie for the lead if they can take care of business in Hattiesburg this weekend.

The Pirates’ strength is their passing attack. Quarterback James Pinkney has completed over 60 percent of his passes for 1,753 yards. Senior wideout Aundrae Allison, who some people are projecting to go as high as the first or second round in the 2007 NFL Draft, gives East Carolina a big-time playmaker. The rushing attack has been hit or miss, and more often miss, behind an offensive line that has been a work in progress.

The Pirates will face a Southern Miss defense that has struggled with allowing big plays. They are second in the league in pass efficiency defense. The Golden Eagles allowed 284 yards rushing to Virginia Tech last week, but they must be more concerned with slowing down the potent Pirate passing attack in this one.

Offensively, Southern Miss hopes that Damion Fletcher can contribute as he is expected to play. If he doesn’t, the inconsistent USM offense could struggle to move the ball.

Expect a dogfight between two rivals in this one and the Pirates to win a close game decided in the fourth quarter.

East Carolina @ Southern Miss detailed preview

UAB @ SMU

Both teams are coming off losses as they prepare for this match-up in Dallas. They also both need wins to stay in the thick of their respective division races.

SMU quarterback Justin Willis is playing really well and can beat you with his arm and legs. He also has some solid targets in the passing game with Bobby Chase and Emmanuel Sanders.

The Mustangs’ defense is very good against the run, but struggles to defend the pass. However, the UAB offense has been plagued by inconsistency this season.

Take the Mustangs to win their fifth game of the season. SMU 30 UAB 17

Memphis @ Marshall

Marshall finally got back in the win column last week by winning on the road at UAB, 31-24. The Thundering Herd did it largely by running the football like they have struggled to do this season. Ahmad Bradshaw posted 242 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Marshall also killed UAB with big plays.

Memphis’ defense has really had its problems defending the run. They have an offense that can put up points, but will their “D” be able to slow down Bradshaw?

I don’t think they will. Marshall wins this one in Huntington, 34-21.

UCF @ Houston

After losing three in a row, the Cougars returned to their winning ways last week, doubling up visiting UTEP, 34-17. Meanwhile, UCF lost a shootout at home to Rice.

Houston’s senior quarterback Kevin Kolb completed 20 of his 30 passing attempts for 208 yards. He has now thrown for 2,303 yards with 18 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. You combine that with an improving Cougar rushing attack with Jackie Battle and Anthony Aldridge and they’re that much more difficult to defend.

UCF has been pretty poor defensively. They won’t be able to slow down the Cougars in this one. They have an offense that can put up some points and let them hang around for a while, but Houston wins this one. Cougars 34 Golden Knights 23

Army @ Tulane

Tulane probably thought they were scheduling a win when they locked up this home game with Army. However, Bobby Ross has the Black Knights playing pretty well, despite their 3-5 record.

Army took Texas A&M down to the final play of the game before losing. They won the following week against an improving Baylor team in Waco. TCU and Rice have also destroyed them.

Senior quarterback Lester Ricard leads Tulane. Ricard has completed nearly 56 percent of his passes for 1,767 yards. He also has a good touchdown to interception ratio at 13-5. He has been complemented by the effective rushing of Matt Forte, who has ran for nearly 700 yards while averaging almost six yards per carry.

Which Army team will show up in the Superdome? Take Tulane to win 35-20.