For college football fans, few things in life compare to when the calendar flips to November. Rivalries grace our calendar more frequently. Conference regular-season winners are determined. Teams battle for bowl eligibility, spots in marquee bowls, and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
The first week of November features major action across the entire sport, including at the Group of Five level. I’ve compiled a list of five must-watch Group of Five games this week, including a pair of weeknight conference clashes. I used college football betting odds to help me determine the best matchups this week.
5. Buffalo at Ohio, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET
First place in the MAC’s East Division is on the line … Tuesday night! Weeknight MACtion is back, one of the true joys of the college football season.
The winner will be atop the MAC East standings, while also clinching bowl eligibility in the process. Each team is red hot as of late, as Buffalo has won five in a row and Ohio has won three consecutive games. The Bulls are a three-point favorite.
RELATED: Welcome back, MACtion
4. Air Force at Army, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. ET
Air Force sits one win away from bowl eligibility, while Army is just 3-4 but has losses to quality programs. The Knights should test Air Force in this rivalry game. The two teams rank No. 1 (Air Force) and No. 2 nationally in rushing yards per game, with each program averaging more than 300 per contest.
While this game won’t draw many national headlines, a rivalry game between service academies makes for an enjoyable watch. Air Force is favored by a touchdown.
3. South Alabama at Georgia Southern, Saturday, 4 p.m. ET
South Alabama is a 4.5-point favorite in this showdown that I wouldn’t have pegged as a quality matchup before the season started. Each team has surpassed my expectations, with South Alabama sitting at 6-2 overall and Georgia Southern at 5-3.
This game features two of the Sun Belt’s top-five offenses, but South Alabama also has a top-tier defense. Can Georgia Southern overcome its defensive flaws and secure bowl eligibility? I’m expecting fireworks Saturday.
2. UCF at Memphis, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
UCF beat Cincinnati last weekend and burst into the AP Top 25 as a result. The Knights find ways to win, and their losses against Louisville and ECU are plenty respectable. UCF is absolutely in the mix for a New Year’s Six bowl.
Memphis is just 4-4 overall, but its three AAC losses came to Houston, ECU, and Tulane by a combined 13 points. The Tigers are a decent team, and they’re hosting UCF, which could be looking ahead to a critical showdown with No. 19 Tulane on Nov. 12. There’s upset potential, and the Tigers could use the win if they want to finish the season above .500. UCF is favored by 4.5 points.
1. App State at Coastal Carolina, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Arguably the game of the year in the Sun Belt East, App State travels to Myrtle Beach to face the 7-1 Chanticleers. App State needs a win to keep pace in the East, while a Coastal Carolina win positions the Chanticleers to win the division. The game gets the national spotlight it deserves, as it will air Thursday night on ESPN.
Perhaps the best part of this matchup from a viewing perspective is that each team ranks in the top five of the Sun Belt in the scoring offense, but they’re outside the top six in scoring defense. The Thursday night game should feature ample offense. App State is a field-goal favorite.
Honorable mentions: UTSA at UAB, JMU at Louisville
UTSA is C-USA’s best team, but UAB is also among the conference’s best. While the Blazers need a lot to break their way to win the league, they’re fighting for bowl eligibility, and that matchup figures to be competitive. JMU is an underdog at Louisville, but if starting quarterback Todd Centeio plays, the Dukes are capable of upsetting their ACC opponent.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
