2023 C-USA Football Championship Odds: Hilltoppers Favored

Western Kentucky Gets the Nod in New-Look Conference USA

The 2023 C-USA football championship odds have the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as the early season favorites. The Hilltoppers are far from a sure thing, however, as there are four teams with odds lower than +800. You can’t consider the remaining three teams to be extreme long shots. Several of them are decent and it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see them reach the championship game.

Conference USA will have a new look this season. Six teams are gone from last year, as UTSA, North Texas, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Rice, and UAB all departed. Liberty and New Mexico State joined the conference after playing as independents. Jacksonville State and Sam Houston moved up from FCS and Kennesaw State will make the move from FCS to Conference USA next year.

Due to the NCAA transition rules on schools moving up, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston are ineligible for bowl games or the conference championship this season. That leaves just seven teams in the mix for this year’s title.

Western Kentucky +140

The 2023 C-USA football championship odds on the Hilltoppers are +140. That’s a bit on the low side, but Western Kentucky looks to be the best team in the conference. The Hilltoppers return quarterback Austin Reed, so they should put up some decent college football stats.

The defense returns just four starters, so it has a little work to do. Western Kentucky is bringing in six defensive linemen through the transfer portal and should get some help up front. The Hilltoppers are the most proven team in the conference, but at +140, that doesn’t offer a lot of value. Still, Western Kentucky is the safest bet on the board to win the conference championship.

Liberty Flames +200

The Flames are a bit of an unknown, entering a new conference with a new coach in Jamey Chadwell. Liberty returns just eight starters and lost its quarterback from a year ago. The Flames have done decent in the transfer portal. Liberty has the potential to make a run at the conference championship.

Middle Tennessee State +400

Middle Tennessee has a few question marks entering the season, including who will take over for quarterback Chase Cunningham. The defense needs to improve a bit, but with nine starters back, the Blue Raiders are likely to be better on that side of the ball.

Louisiana Tech +750

Former Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier comes in to run the offense for the Bulldogs and he’s a good one. Louisiana Tech was busy in the transfer portal and landed some players who can step in and help. The majority of transfers play defense and that’s where the Bulldogs need the most help. The team allowed nearly 38 points a game last season and lost several close games. If Louisiana Tech can improve defensively, a few more wins aren’t out of the question.

UTEP +1200

The Miners have won 12 games in the last two seasons, which is pretty good by UTEP standards. Texas-El Paso returns quarterback Gavin Hardison and running back Deion Hankins. The offensive line is decent. Defensively, UTEP has to get better against the pass. The Miners were one of the worst teams in the conference in pass defense a year ago.

New Mexico State +2000

The 2023 C-USA football championship odds for the Aggies are +2000, which is pretty generous. New Mexico State made a big jump last season, earning a bowl win and finishing 7-6. Offensively, the Aggies should be pretty solid. Quarterback Diego Pavia and seven other starters return. The defense, which allowed 23.9 points per game returns just four starters. The Aggies were busy in the transfer portal and will need some help from there or from underclassmen.

Florida International +4000

It’s looking like a long season for the Panthers, who lost some players to the transfer portal and also to injury during the spring. Quarterback Grayson James returns and should improve on last year’s numbers. The Panthers do need the defense to step up a little bit and give the offense a chance. Keep it tuned right here for all of the best college football picks, the season is right around the corner.

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