There is definitely going to be a ton of offense this year in Conference USA, as there are some ridiculously high flying teams that could average well over 35 points per game if given the chance. The team that might be in for the biggest year is the favorite to win Conference USA, the Houston Cougars (Current Conference USA Odds: 2.45 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Last year turned out to be a disaster for the Cougs, as they lost QB Case Keenum for the season just two games in, and things just never really got on track. Keenum was granted a medical redshirt and will likely end up breaking all sorts of NCAA passing records this year, but Houston will only go as far as its defense is going to take it, and this unit really, really struggled all season in 2010.

The defending champs of Conference USA should once again be fantastic this year. The UCF Knights (2011 Conference USA Lines: 4.20 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) really have picked up a ton of momentum over these last few seasons, and thanks to the play of QB Jeff Godfrey, many in the Sunshine State are wondering where the men in black and gold really fall in the pecking order of teams in the state. A win in the Liberty Bowl last year was incredibly impressive, and there is no doubt that there is some major defensive talent on the field for the Knights. The question is whether Head Coach George O’Leary can withstand the heat that he is taking from the university’s loss of a lawsuit against the family of the deceased Ereck Plancher. If he can and UCF can keep its level of play up without distractions, these are fantastic NCAA football odds.

That is to say, if the Knights can get past their road test with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (Current Conference USA Odds: 3.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Last season, UCF almost ended up losing Conference USA due to the fact that it was beaten by a very strong Southern Miss side that has a slew of returners this season. Head Coach Larry Fedora thinks that he doesn’t just have a contender in Conference USA, but that he has the potential to crack the Top 25 and maybe even the BCS when it’s all said and done. We’re not ones to argue with him, especially since Houston is dodged on the schedule.

2011 Odds To Win The Conference USA @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/21/11):
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Houston Cougars 2.45 to 1
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 3.25 to 1
Central Florida Knights 4.20 to 1
SMU Mustangs 8 to 1
Tulsa Golden Hurricane 8 to 1
UAB Blazers 16.50 to 1
East Carolina Pirates 20 to 1
Rice Owls 25 to 1
Marshall Thundering Herd 30 to 1
Tulane Green Wave 52 to 1
Memphis Tigers 70 to 1
UTEP Miners 70 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Conference USA East Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/21/11):
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Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 1.40 to 1
UCF Knights 1.90 to 1
UAB Blazers 6.60 to 1
East Carolina Pirates 7.75 to 1
Marshall Thundering Herd 12 to 1
Memphis Tigers 27 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Conference USA West Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/20/11):
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Houston Cougars 1 to 1
Tulsa Golden Hurricane 3.50 to 1
SMU Mustangs 3.65 to 1
Rice Owls 11 to 1
Tulane Green Wave 20 to 1
UTEP Miners 27 to 1