No matter if it’s MACtion or weekday CUSA, Group of Five football is fun to watch. After all, there’s a ton of great G5 programs this year.
Here’s my predictions for today’s CUSA games.
FIU vs. Western Kentucky Prediction
I predict Western Kentucky will win but FIU will cover the 10-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 55.5 total points.
Especially at home, I think Western Kentucky should have the talent to win this game. And that’s because of what the Hilltoppers are capable of on offense.
Maverick McIvor is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in CUSA. He’s thrown for 1,704 yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 68% of his passes. He’s also spread the ball around, as seven WKU players have at least 13 catches and 120 yards through the air.
Matthew Henry leads the Hilltoppers with 377 yards and three touchdowns receiving on 21 catches. KD Hutchinson has a team-high 26 catches and has recorded 304 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Wide receiver Moussa Barry (16 catches for 247 yards) and tight end Noah Meyers (16 catches for 189 yards and one TD) are players to watch as well. And WKU running back La’Vell Wright, who has a team-best 203 yards and five touchdowns rushing while averaging 5.5 yards per carry, can make some plays out of the backfield as well.
And now WKU is going up against an FIU defense that has allowed 89 points in its last two contests and has given up at least 28 points in each of its last four outings.
Because WKU’s last two games have been close, I think this one will be as well. But I still think the Hilltoppers will pull off a win at home.
Arkansas State vs. South Alabama Prediction
I predict Arkansas State will win and therefore cover the seven-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 58.5 total points.
I don’t think its 1-5 record shows what South Alabama is capable of. The Jaguars have been competitive in most of their games, losing by just two possessions or less against Tulane – a two-point game – as well as Auburn, North Texas, and Troy.
But even if it’s on the road, I still anticipate Arkansas State will prove to be the better team.
Jaylen Raynor has thrown for 1,451 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions on a 67% completion rate while rushing for 196 yards and four scores. Devin Spencer (200 yards and one TD) and Kenyon Clay (194 yards and one TD rushing and 112 yards and two TDs on 20 catches) have also made important contributions at running back.
Five Arkansas State players have at least 100 yards receiving, and Chauncy Cobb is the leader among them with 406 yards on 34 receptions. Corey Rucker has also been productive, as he’s caught 27 passes for 334 yards and one TD while Hunter Summers (20 catches for 243 yards and two TDs) and Jaylen Bonelli (10 catches for 110 yards and one TD) have been fun to watch as well.
With so much talent on offense for both teams, I expect this game to be close and that there will be plenty of scoring in the final quarter. But if that happens, I think the Red Wolves are a little bit better equipped to get the win.
New Mexico State vs. Liberty Prediction
I predict New Mexico State will win and cover the 10.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 46.5 total points.
Considering the Flames are at home and have the better roster on paper, I thought about picking them to win. But, to me, this isn’t the type of team people thought it would be this preseason when Liberty was the favorite to win Conference USA.
New Mexico State, meanwhile, has exceeded my expectations.
NMSU quarterback Logan Fife has thrown for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions on a 57% completion rate. Kadarius Calloway leads NMSU on the ground with 146 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Donovan Faupel leads the team with 23 catches for 312 yards while scoring one touchdown. Tight end Gavin Harris has added 16 catches for 234 yards and one TD, and PJ Johnson III has 215 yards and a team-high three touchdowns on 14 receptions.
I believe New Mexico State has enough talent on offense to give Liberty some problems.
I also think NMSU’s defense has bounced back after giving up 49 points and 38 points to Louisiana Tech and New Mexico, respectively, as the Aggies gave up just 10 against Sam Houston. NMSU allowed a combined 17 points in its first two contests, and I think the team will make some plays on that side of the ball in this matchup, too.
