Conference Title Chase Update Week 9: CUSA

Still In It East: FAU, FIU, Marshall, Western Kentucky
FAU: Lane Kiffin has really gotten the motor running for the Owls, but the next three weeks are against contenders, so there is plenty of trap left awaiting them. This week, the Owls get Marshall at home. A loss would bode badly.

FIU: Butch Davis, like Kiffin, hs lit the flame of a long struggling program, as the Panthers have really made some noise this season, but like the Owls, the Panthers still have plenty of traps left if they want to win a conference title. UTSA is a home game this week, and it's a must win.

Marshall: The Thundering Herd are hanging on in 2017 after a horrendous 2016 season. The Herd has already lost to FIU, so a win on the road against FAU this week is a must get. If they lose, they are virtually out of it.

Western Kentucky: WKU is not nearly as powerful as they have been the last few years, and are on the verge of elimination. They still have some breath yet, but are on life support. The Hilltoppers play out of conference this week against Vanderbilt, and then finish with a meat grinder schedule in CUSA play, including games against Middle Tennessee, Marshall, and FIU, not in that order.

Still In It West: North Texas, UAB, Southern Miss, UTSA, Louisiana Tech
North Texas: The Mean Green control their own destiny right now, and they have three incredibly winnable games left on their slate, including a non con game with Army. Their only remaining conference dates are Louisiana Tech, UTEP and Rice, so barring any meltdowns, UNT is headed for a Western Division title.

UAB: The Blazers have been a great story this fall, but they need a miracle to get into the conference title game. They already have a loss to UNT, so they need the Mean Green to lose both games to UTEP and Rice, and that probably will not happen. If North Texas wins their next conference game, the Blazers are out.

Southern Miss: The Eagles are also one UNT win away from elimination in the West Division, as they, too, have a loss to the Mean Green. The Eagles should be favored in their final conference games, but that one UNT win prevents that from meaning anything.

UTSA: UTSA is in the same boat, and will be eliminated if UNT wins, as they have also lost to the Mean Green. The schedule is pretty difficult over the final month, so you can basically count the Roadrunners as out of the race in all manners but mathematically.

Louisiana Tech; The Bulldogs have dominated this division, but all powers fall for a time, and this is their time to slide. They get North Texas this week, however, so unlike everyone else on this list not named UNT, the Bulldogs can still control some things and slide in.