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

The Mountaineers and the Tigers make for strange bedmates with one another. We tend to find it odd that a team with so many tough games like LSU is going to add another insanely difficult trip to Morgantown, but we know that West Virginia and the rest of the Big East badly need to secure some out of conference victories like this one to prove that they are a conference that is worthy of a spot in the BCS every year.

LSU Tigers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Picks & Info
LSU Tigers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Date: Saturday, September 24th, 2011
LSU Tigers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Location: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
LSU Tigers @ West Virginia Mountaineers Spread: West Virginia Mountaineers +3

If there was ever a game on this schedule that the LSU defense really needed to excel, this would be the game. The Bayou Bengals know that this early in the season, it’s going to be hard for QB Jordon Jefferson and company to really have things together, and we know that going against this West Virginia defense is going to make the challenge even more difficult, especially on the road. Last season, the offense only accounted for 236 yards for the Tigers, and seven of their 20 points came via a 60 yard punt return for a TD by the departed Patrick Peterson.

LSU Tigers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Past Games (Since 1995)
2010: LSU 20 – West Virginia 14

If QB Geno Smith and company don’t figure out how to get more than 178 yards of offense, this could be an ugly, ugly game in Morgantown. The ‘Neers were just awful last season against LSU on the road, going just 2-of-13 on 3rd downs. The good news is that the offense really should be better with Smith out there for a second season, and we know that the defense, as always, should be tough. Remember that this was a unit that did hold LSU to those aforementioned 236 yards, and if it wasn’t for a breakdown on special teams, perhaps the Mountaineers would have been able to pull off the upset to keep LSU out of any discussions for a National Championship. If West Virginia doesn’t win this game, the best that it is going to be able to do this year is go to the Orange Bowl as the winners of the Big East. This is the chance to make the big time statement.

LSU Tigers @ West Virginia Mountaineers @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/21/11):
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LSU Tigers (-3) @ West Virginia Mountaineers