Conference USA has been exciting over the past few years but has been typically run by one school for a few years at a time. Last year, UAB appeared in their third consecutive championship game and won their second title. FAU has been in two of the past five championship games and, dating back to 2015, Western Kentucky won back-to-back titles. Last season, UTSA knocked off Western Kentucky for their first ever C-USA title.
There are currently 11 Conference USA football teams, but the conference will be going through a major overhaul in 2023. FAU, Charlotte, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA will all be heading to the AAC next season, and Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State and Sam Houston State all coming, so Conference USA as we know it will cease to exist.
Conference USA Odds
Conference USA Odds Preview
There are four true competitors for the Conference USA title, and they are UTSA, UAB, Western Kentucky and Florida Atlantic – four teams that will no longer be apart of the conference after this season.
UTSA returns the best QB in the conference and their offense will be elite. The defense will be the only thing holding the Roadrunners back. UAB will hit teams with one of the best running back duos in the country, but it remains to be seen if there are any playmakers in the receiving corps. The Blazers defense is a solid overall unit.
Western Kentucky needs to rebuild an explosive offense and it remains to be seen if their DII transfer QB can be what the team needs. The Hilltoppers defense is a huge problem and may keep them from winning the conference championship. Finally, FAU will have the best coach, perhaps the second best QB and an overall good offensive unit. The Owls defense will need to continue its strong end to last season if they want to win the title.
FIU is an interesting team that will have an up-tempo offense, a star WR and an interesting head coach. They won’t be much of a factor this season, but they could be fun to watch.
Conference USA Betting & Handicapping
Conference USA has been a pretty top-heavy league for the last several years and that should not change this season.
Keep in mind that this is not a neutral-site championship game. It is on the campus of the team with the better record or more of the tiebreakers if necessary, so there will be a home field advantage element to deciding a winner. That means that you want to compare schedules and see where a team’s toughest games are in hopes of picking the team that will be at home in the title game.
Conference USA Football Championship History
| Year | Conference USA Champion |
|---|---|
| 2021 | UTSA |
| 2020 | UAB |
| 2019 | Florida Atlantic |
| 2018 | UAB |
| 2017 | Florida Atlantic |
| 2016 | Western Kentucky |
| 2015 | Western Kentucky |
| 2014 | Marshall |
| 2013 | Rice |
| 2012 | Tulsa |
Conference USA Football Championship Wins
| All Time Wins | Conference USA Team | Last Yr Won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Southern Miss | 2011 |
| 3 | Louisville | 2004 |
| 2 | UAB | 2020 |
| 2 | Western Kentucky | 2016 |
| 2 | Tulsa | 2012 |
| 2 | UCF | 2010 |
| 2 | East Carolina | 2009 |
| 2 | Houston | 2006 |
| 1 | UTSA | 2021 |
| 1 | Florida Atlantic | 2019 |
| 1 | Marshall | 2014 |
| 1 | Rice | 2013 |
| 1 | TCU | 2002 |
| 1 | Cincinnati | 2002 |
| 1 | Tulane | 1998 |
