2024 Conference USA Football Preview, Picks, and Best Bets

Our college football previews continue here at the Sports Gambling Podcast Network with our 2024 Conference USA football preview, picks, and best bets.

Liberty brought home the C-USA title with an undefeated debut season in the league last year. The Flames then represented the Group of 5 in a New Year’s Six bowl.

They are heavy favorites to win the conference again, but Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State will have something to say about that. The league also welcomes a newcomer in Kennesaw State who makes the jump up to the FBS level.

This has been a conference with plenty of parity and offensive star power. So, let’s dive into the breakdown with our 2024 Conference USA football preview, picks, and best bets.

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2024 Conference USA Football Preview, Picks, and Best Bets

2024 Conference USA Favorite: Liberty (-200)

Liberty heads into this college football season as the biggest favorite to win its conference in the country. In fact, Boise State (-105) is the only other team not to have plus-money odds to win its league.

With the veteran roster that Jamey Chadwell brings back, it is no surprise to see the Flames as the heavy favorite. The headliners of the returners are quarterback Kaidon Salter and running back Quinton Cooley.

The dynamic duo rushed for over 1,000 yards each and combined for 28 touchdowns on the ground. They will have to overcome losing their top wide receiver and multiple starting offensive linemen, but I trust Salter under center to succeed with the newcomers.

Meanwhile, the Flames bring back eight starters on defense, including just about everyone along a stout defensive line. This should be another top unit in C-USA.

Once again, Liberty’s schedule is very easy, with Jacksonville State and WKU both at home. The Flames do have one tricky trip to Appalachian State in non-conference play, but this is the second straight season they have not faced a Power 5 opponent.

I wouldn’t put anyone off laying this price. However, I think there are better ways to bet Liberty in the futures or season-win markets.

2024 Conference USA Contender: WKU (+450)

There is a clear talent gap between Liberty and the rest of C-USA. If there is a team to contend with the Flames, it will be WKU.

The Hilltoppers have been consistent winners under Tyson Helton. He has guided them to four bowl wins in five seasons, averaging eight wins for a 40-26 record during his tenure.

Helton returns nine starters on offense and brings in an exciting transfer quarterback from Texas State, TJ Finley. The former LSU and Auburn signal caller threw for 3,429 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Bobcats last season.

The Tops do have to replace stud wide receiver Malachi Corley who left for the NFL. Helton added multiple transfers at receiver and has a veteran offensive line to work with.

There are more holes on defense to cover up. Helton also targeted this unit with multiple transfers, so it will be a question mark heading into the year.

WKU has tough road trips out of conference to Alabama and Boston College. Outside of the away game at Liberty, I do think the Hilltoppers conference slate is manageable, especially with Jacksonville State at home.

I’m not rushing to the window to bet the Tops, but I do expect them to have another winning season.

2024 Conference USA Darkhorse: Sam Houston State (+2200)

If I’m looking down the board at a long shot, I really like Sam Houston State to take a big step in year two of being at the FBS level. The Bearkats return a lot from a team that was very competitive at the end of last year.

Yes, the final record was disappointing, with only three wins. However, SHSU won three of its last four.

This is the same team that lost five one-score games in conference play, including close losses against the league’s top teams, Jacksonville State, Liberty, and WKU.

I also believe in K.C. Keeler’s ability to figure it out as head coach at this level. He won an FCS national title here at Sam Houston State and at Delaware and has 262 career victories.

Keeler has plenty to work with on offense with eight starters back. The Bearkats also bring in two quality quarterbacks in Jase Bauer from Central Michigan and Hunter Watson, who led his JUCO team to a national title.

The two question marks are the defense and the very tough schedule. Sam Houston State plays UCF, Texas State, and Hawaii out of conference, which are all solid G5 teams.

Liberty and WKU both come to Houston in C-USA play. If the close losses turn into wins this season, SHSU could play spoiler in the conference title race.

Must-bet wins total: Liberty O7.5 Conference Wins (+185)

As I mentioned above, there are better ways to back Liberty in the preseason markets. I just can’t look away from the juicy price offered for the Flames to go through C-USA play undefeated.

For starters, the schedule sets up nicely for Chadwell’s team once again. You play the toughest C-USA opponents at home in Jacksonville State and WKU.

Your road trips in league play are to New Mexico State, Kennesaw State, Middle Tennessee, and SHSU. I expect all of the others to be down this season, except the Bearkats.

There is just too wide a talent gap between the Flames and the rest of C-USA. Last year, Liberty won seven of nine games against league opposition by double figures.

One primary reason for the gap is the school’s much more expensive salary compared to the rest of Conference USA. This shows with the Flames’ ability to retain both Salter and Cooley.

I also don’t hate the bet of Liberty to make the College Football Playoff at +400 odds. My main concerns there are the trip to App State out of conference and the poor showing in the Fiesta Bowl last season.

For the final play of my 2024 Conference USA football preview, picks, and best bets, I’ll just focus on the Flames’ advantage in this conference.

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The College Football Experience podcast is working their way through team previews. Check out the latest episodes as Colby, NC Nick, Patty C, and a host of others run through the roster changes, the schedule, and betting odds for each team. Listen to TCE, take our expert college football gambling picks, and let it ride!