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. Lately, that team had been UTSA, but the league is set for some huge changes in 2023. With UTSA and North Texas bolting for the American Athletic Conference, and some FCS teams joining the league, this nine-team conference will be interesting to watch this year. Here, we break down the Conference USA championship betting odds as bettors look to the futures markets in this hidden gem in college football.
Conference USA Odds
Conference USA Odds Preview
The favorites to win the Conference USA championship are the Liberty Flames by a convincing margin. They are a perfect 12-0 so far this season, including a perfect 8-0 mark so far in Conference USA competition. They have locked up a spot in the Conference USA title game, with the question being whether or not they can keep a spot in the top-25 to potentially earn a New Year’s Six bowl position.
The only team left with a chance to beat Liberty for the Conference USA title is New Mexico State. New Mexico State has been one of the most pleasant surprises in college football this season. They started their year as losers at home against lowly UMass. But they have gone 10-2 since then, including their 7-1 record in Conference USA play. They beat Auburn recently, serving as a statement to Liberty that the Aggies are not to be counted out in the CUSA championship game.
The Liberty Flames are a huge favorite over New Mexico State in the CUSA title game. That is fully justified given how well Liberty has played this season to this point. Liberty beat New Mexico State by 16 points earlier this season at Liberty. But New Mexico State has played much better football since then, which could change things this time around.
Conference USA Betting & Handicapping
Conference USA has been a pretty top-heavy league for the last several years. But the top-two teams from last season are not in this conference anymore, and there are several teams that could fill that void and become the frontrunner in the league.
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 teamโs 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 |
---|---|
2022 | UTSA |
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 |
2 | UTSA | 2022 |
1 | Florida Atlantic | 2019 |
1 | Marshall | 2014 |
1 | Rice | 2013 |
1 | TCU | 2002 |
1 | Cincinnati | 2002 |
1 | Tulane | 1998 |