College Football Group of 5 Conferences preview 2017
G5 Conference Championship Predictions
Who will lay claim to a spot in the Cotton Bowl? Boise State, Houston and Western Michigan grabbed the first three New Year’s Six bowl game slots, respectively, and all three should be considered candidates to do it again. However, the odds are in favor of another newcomer to end the regular season as the top-ranked G5 program: USF.
American Athletic Conference
USF Bulls over Houston Cougars
The Bulls have one of the best playmakers in the nation at quarterback in Quentin Flowers, who should lead USF to similar high-scoring offensive numbers in 2017. Top tackler Auggie Sanchez is one of nine returning starters on defense for the Bulls, who should show improvement under new head coach Charlie Strong.
Conference USA
WKU Hilltoppers over Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Even with Mike Sanford taking over for Jeff Brohm as head coach, the two-time defending Conference USA champion Western Kentucky Hilltoppers should be considered the favorite to win the league again. Only 10 total starters return, but quarterback Mike White is back to lead the charge after passing for 4,363 yards and 37 touchdowns with just seven interceptions last season.
Mid-American Conference
Toledo Rockets over Ohio Bobcats
Quarterback Logan Woodside had a huge season as a junior and is poised to lead the Rockets to their first conference championship game since 2004. It will be a difficult road with defending champion Western Michigan and always pesky Northern Illinois in the division, but Toledo hosts both teams at the Glass Bowl. The West will be similarly contested, but the East is the stronger division, and Toledo is the most talented team in the MAC.
Mountain West Conference
Colorado State Rams over San Diego State Aztecs
The Mountain Division is head and shoulders more difficult than the West, so either Boise State, Colorado State or Wyoming will have a difficult road to the Mountain West Conference Championship Game. The Broncos, who travel to two-time defending Mountain West champion San Diego State, have the toughest slate of all, giving the Rams the edge.
The Aztecs are always difficult, and have two conference titles in two years to prove it, but with an experienced offensive line, and a lot of offensive production lost to graduation, San Diego State will find it difficult to three-peat.
Sun Belt Conference
Appalachian State Mountaineers
It’s a three-horse race in the Sun Belt, and fortunately for one of the horses, there’s no round-robin schedule in the league. Appalachian State is the major beneficiary, not having to play either Arkansas State or Troy.
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Since the Mountaineers have arguably the best offensive line in the conference, as well as one of its top quarterback-running back duos, a terrific back seven on defense, and one of the best coaches in the game in Scott Satterfield, the stars are aligned for App State to win its first outright Sun Belt Conference championship.