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Bailey's
Take on C-USA
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From the Anchor Desk
Tuesday, August 30, 2001
By Brian Bailey
Sports Anchor of WNCT-TV 9 |
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Big Weekend for the Conference
�2001 Bonesville.net
It�s the first big weekend for college football, and it�s a critical, early
season chance for Conference USA to grab the media spotlight. Without a team
in most Top 25 polls, the league needs to make some noise in non-conference
play.
You�d better check your calendar thoroughly, though, to make sure you don't
miss one of the C-USA teams in action on this long holiday weekend. The
league has games set for Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
UAB-Montana State
UAB kicked off the Labor Day weekend Thursday night in a match-up against Montana State.
The Bobcats, members of the Big Sky Conference, went into the game riding a
17-game losing streak.
The Blazers extended that streak to 18 with a 41-13 win, blowing the game
open with a 17-point third quarter after leading only 17-10 at halftime.
Memphis-Mississippi State
Both Memphis and Tulane take on nationally ranked opponents this week.
The Tigers head to Starkville to take on 19th-ranked Mississippi State on
Labor Day Monday. Tommy West would dearly love to win his first ever game as
the coach at Memphis. The Bulldogs, members of the SEC, have won the last
seven in the series and are a 17-point favorite to extend the string to
eight.
Tulane-LSU
The good news for Tulane is that the Green Wave scored 35 points against BYU
last week. The bad news is that the Wave gave up 70 points in the loss.
Tulane was absolutely awful on defense against BYU. It probably won�t be any
better this week against 14th-ranked LSU.
The SEC Tigers, though, have struggled against C-USA opponents over the last
two years at home. LSU lost to UAB last year and to Houston in 1999. LSU has
won the last 13 games in this long-running in-state series.
Cincinnati-Purdue
Cincinnati has a tough opener, hosting Purdue. The Boilermakers aren�t
ranked, but they are the defending Big Ten champions.
Cincinnati upset then No. 9 Wisconsin from the Big Ten early in the 1999
season. Last year, the Bearcats lost to the Badgers in overtime. This year,
the Bearcats are taking on the Boilermakers in a very rare, Sunday afternoon
contest.
Houston-Rice
Houston is picked near the bottom of the C-USA standings, but the Cougars
have a great chance at a win this week, hosting cross-town rival Rice, a
member of the WAC.
Both teams are former members of the defunct Southwest Conference. In fact,
this was the season finale for both teams for a number of years in that
league. The Owls beat Houston in overtime last season.
Texas Christian-North Texas
Also from the southwest, Texas Christian, a former member of both the SWC
and the WAC, visits North Texas. For the Horned Frogs, it�s only about a
30-mile trip for the game to Denton, Texas.
TCU is a brand new member of Conference USA, while North Texas is making its
debut in the Sun Belt Conference.
Louisville-Kentucky
For Louisville, it�s the Battle of the Commonwealth as the Cardinals meet
Kentucky in Lexington. Expect lots of points in this one, as the Cards go
for their third straight victory in the series.
Dave Ragone made his debut in last year�s Kentucky game. Ragone looked good
in the Cards' 2001 opener last week, but the rest of the offense sputtered against New
Mexico State in U of L's unimpressive win.
Southern Mississippi-Oklahoma State
Southern Miss is favored to win this week, hosting Oklahoma State. The
Golden Eagles won last year�s game between these two teams, their first ever
victory over a Big 12 opponent.
Pirates Ready for Wake Forest
I had a chance to see the last part of practice on Wednesday night. I like
the quiet confidence that I see out of David Garrard and Pernell Griffin.
The Pirates are very fortunate to have two outstanding talents in two
critical positions.
Word out of Pirate camp is that the Pirates may be explosive on special
teams. Marvin Townes is apparently showing his incredible speed at practice
on a daily basis. Look for Townes to make a difference on Saturday night.
Greenville is buzzing with excitement in anticipation of Saturday night�s
opener. The weather, however, may offer reasons for the Pirate faithful to
pack their ponchos -- just in case.
According to our meteorologists, there is a good chance of a couple of bands
of thunderstorms coming through the area on Saturday. Late word, though, is
that the front might move through before the late afternoon.
Let�s hope the the late word from our weathermen is on target, because we don�t get very many football
Saturdays this season!
Brian Bailey's Conference USA Power Rankings
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East Carolina Pirates move up, as we anticipate a big win this weekend.
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Louisville Cards will be tested at Kentucky.
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Southern Miss Golden Eagles look to open with a win this week.
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TCU Horned Frogs move up after looking good in the Nebraska loss.
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UAB Blazers should have little trouble with Montana State.
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Cincinnati If Bearcats pull an upset this week, then they move to the upper
division.
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Memphis Will have tough time at Mississippi State.
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Army Doesn�t play until September 8th vs. Cincinnati.
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Houston... Cougars looking for some Southwest magic this week.
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Tulane Don�t look now, but BYU just scored again! Give up 70, and you've go
to the back of the pack.
Send an e-mail message to
Brian Bailey.
02/23/2007 01:19:26 AM
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