Troy scored 55 points in a win over USM last night.
Tonight, I'll go with FIU at home in a 24-20 win over NMSU. Maybe Kohl doesn't toss an INT for the Panthers?
Troy scored 55 points in a win over USM last night.
Tonight, I'll go with FIU at home in a 24-20 win over NMSU. Maybe Kohl doesn't toss an INT for the Panthers?
These 3 games intrigue me the most for Week Zero non-power teams
Sac St travels to EMU for its first MAC conference game.
North Dakota St(MWC) host Jax St(CUSA)
Memphis flies to Vegas to face UNLV. Is Jackson Arnold, former Oklahoma and Auburn QB, the answer for the Rebels.
July 1, 2026
Wondering who the Sac St starting QB will be? Carson Conklin, a transfer from Fresno State,and Jackson Sharman, a transfer from Idaho State, are competing to be the starting quarterback.
July 11, 2026
Nathan Hayes will likely be the Bison starting QB in its home opener vs Jax St. NDSU has a lot of traveling this season including an MWC game at Hawaii on 11/14
July 15, 2026
MWC Media days: Pre-season pick for Special Teams PoY WR Jackson Williams (NDSU). 🤔 First Bison season in a 1A conference,
Rob Harley , NIU interim HC, got the job when HC Thomas Hammock became the Seattle Seahawks RB coach in February.
I forgot about this.
July 17, 2026
In 2025, Nick Minicucci, Delaware QB, led CUSA in passing yards (3,683) and was second team CUSA. He'll be Arlington TX for Media Day on July 20. Nice to see the kid return for 2026
July 18, 2026
UTSA HC Jeff Traylor hired Rick Bowie from WKU to call the offensive signals for QB Owen McCown. Worth keeping an eye on!
July 19, 2026
Noah Kim (QB,EMU), the MAC's leading passer last season has two solid targets, Nick Devereaux and Joshua Long, for the Eagles bid to surprise some opponents this season.
July 20, 2026
Clay Helton has been decent (27-25)at GASO since 2021. Does he turn the corner and get the Eagles in the SBC title race. Max Johnson, a much traveled QB, is their likely starter
Bynum and Tyson are their top players on D.
They have tough OOC games: at Clemson and hosting Houston.
Kind of wondering what's happened that Evan Crenshaw(Troy) pre-season pick for SBC best punter started his career at CCU.
July 23, 2026
AAC Media Day today: USF hosts FIU in its season opener. Van Buren (who transferred from LSU) has the edge due to better mobility in his battle with Kromenhoek (from Mississippi State) for the starting QB spot vacated by Byrum Brown(who transferred to Auburn).
Hartline's staff hinted they may use both QBs in the right situation.
July 25, 2026
UNLV hosting this year and the return game is set for Memphis in 2029. Stokes is slightly ahead of Air Noland on the Memphis QB depth chart
July 27, 2026
Casey Woods, former SMU OC, is the MOSU HC. Locklear from UTEP and Belin IV from Duke are vying to be the starting QB. WKU is Bears first CUSA opponent. September OOC schedule includes TAMU, SMU, and Marshall.
July 29, 2026
Rainbows open at Stanford and QB Alejado will be working with new wideouts since Jackson Harris and Brandon White transferred. Tre Griffiths, a transfer from OK St to Hawaii, may help fill that void.
Some folks think Hawaii can finish second in the MWC
July 31, 2026
AAC week 1 tough openers. ECU @ Bama, UAB @ ILL, NTX at IU. OKST travels to Tulsa which could be an interesting intrastate game
Aug 3, 2026
2026 MAC head coaches preseason poll went with WMU as the favorite. MOH visits them on Nov 17 in what could be a key game.
MAC. BGSU HC Eddie George needs a healthy Austyn Dendy at RB for the full season
Aug 6, 2026
UTEP(MWC) @ OK, @ MICH, & hosting the OSU Beavers in September OOC action.
Aug 9, 2026
Keeping my eyes on Juice Vereen(TE) for Colorado St who followed HC Jim Mora there.
Aug 10, 2026
Hartline has a four star center Jordan Harrison in camp who may start for USF. Bulls face Army in week 2, and also have Tulane and Memphis on their schedule this season.
Aug 12, 2026
Patrick Martin is back and practicing with South Bama and will split reps with Keenan Phillips in the Jags backfield.
Aug 15, 2026
Navy won 21 games in the past two seasons which ties them with Boise State and UNLV for the most among non -power schools.
Notre Dame, UTSA, Memphis, & Army look like the toughest games on its 2026 schedule.
Aug 24, 2026
Of the three week zero games that involve power/non power conference matchups. Hawaii has the best chance of an upset. Rainbows plays Stanford.(ACC)
I don't see SJSU beating USC(Big10) or NMSU defeating Florida St(ACC)
Conklin named the starting QB for Sacramento State in MAC opener @EMU on week zero
Aug 27, 2026
Last year WKU won at home against Nevada in the first matchup between those teams. This year WKU plays @ NEV on 9/5
Bryson Rodgers(WR) wasn't used a lot at Ohio St so he followed Coach Hartline to USF. He accelerates well.
Aug 29, 2026
Jackson Arnold will split time with Alex Orji at quarterback for UNLV in its opener against Memphis
Aug 30, 2026
Memphis scored the final 17 points of the game in a win over UNLV. NDSU rolled Jax St
Eight NIT games today.
Since all the pre Dance talk about Auburn deserving a bid, I'm curious about USA(SBC) playing at Auburn. SBC PoY Chaze Harris (18.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.9 apg) will be a marked man.
Seattle(WCC) hosts St Thomas (MN) who finished second in the Summit. Nolan Minessale 20ppg for the Tommies
I thought Wichita was snubbed so we'll see if they play well hosting Wyoming.
Gonzaga: Graham Ike, 23, is the highest-ranked non power conference player. Zags are in their final season in the WCC . Tough November: Creighton, OK, MD, and Bama. Next season they play in the PAC12
Dayton of the A10 faces Cincy and Marquette this month. Flyers will need Nate Santos to score more than 14 points a game
Memphis is counting on 7'1 Aaron Bradshaw. @ Ole Miss on Nov 11
NTX is counting on Cahmal Crosby. @ St Marys on Nov 14
St Marys will rely heavily on Paulius Murauskas . Gaels are in their last WCC season before joining the PAC12.
More to come
Nov 3, 2025
Ok, HC Billy G can your Tarleton team start with an upset @ SMU(ACC). Is Chris Mpaka progressing?
Nov 4, 2025
Tarleton(WAC) got crushed 96-76 by SMU. D. Johnson scored 23 for the losers.
UNO (Southland)Privateers upset Big12 member TCU, 78-74
Nov 5, 2025
Only bad WCC loss so far is Wazoo losing to Idaho
UNLV(MWC) lost to to UT Martin last night.
Nov 6, 2025
USC Upstate(Big South) upset FRES(MWC) 67-66. KGregory led the Spartans with 15 points. USCU lost its opener to Cal Baptist(WAC)
USCU is in South Carolina.
Nov 10, 2025
Close game MEM (AAC) 76 SF(WCC) 70 . M. Cook was solid for the Dons. Zags edged OK(SEC)
Boise St(MWC) blew out UVU on its road to recovery from its loss to Howard Payne
J Speer and the Herd outscored TOL 55 to 33 for an 85- 73 W in an SBC/MAC matchup.
Nov 12, 2025
Wow, rough OT loss for UAB. Alabama St (SWAC) 77 UAB 73(AAC) A.Anderson 20 pts 7 ast for the Hornets.
Nov 14, 2025
Olsen scored 21 for USA(SBC) in a 66-64 nail-biter over CMU(MAC). Wichita St(AAC) had no problem with LOYCH(A10).
Nov 17, 2025
UNLV handled MEM. Fleming (25 pts, 12 reb) for the Rebels.
D. Gillespie (26 pts, 17reb) for Kent St(MAC) in an OT win over Wright St(HOR)
Nov 21, 2025
Memphis hung close to Purdue but lost 80-71.
In the Trojan battle Troy(SBC) hung with USC but fell in OT-107-106. C. Campbell(32, 12,8) for Troy
Nov 25, 2025
Tulane(AAC) edged BC(ACC) C Williams scored 32 for TUL
USU(MWC) crushed DAV(A10) M Colins scored 40 for the Ags.
Nov 27, 2025
WCC yesterday. Zags were blown out by 40 by Michigan. WSU lost to Seton Hall. PEPP was rolled by Fresno(MWC)
SMC beat Wichita St(AAC). T. George(19pts, 6 reb) led Portland to a 93-73 win over LBSU(Big West)
Dec 1, 2025
MWC : L Walker (28pts) and the Cowboys gave TT quite a scare. TT 76 WYO 72 . D. Smith(30pts) led CSB(Big West )over Fresno St
USA routed UTSA 82-58. Jags are off to a 7-1 start. Only loss was to UAB
UNLV(MWC) is coming off a big win over Vandy while UTEP(CUSA) has stumbled this season. UNLV 24 UTEP 19.
USF played a decent game in a loss to Bama, and Rice has a win over Houston this season. USF in a nailbiter by a score of 22-20 in this AAC matchup. Look for B Brown, the USF QB, to have a solid game.
Ohio returns to MAC play after stunning Iowa St and visits Bowling Green. BobcatsD helps them survive 13-12 at BG.
South Bama(SBC) is coming off a blowout W over OK St. CMU(MAC) has lost to Notre Dame and Sparty. L Webb rushes for over 100 yards and the Jags win 27 -20 over C. Michigan.
Sept 22, 2023
M. Carroll RB - GAST 29 CAR 150YDS 1TD in a win over Coastal Carolina. I would've had that pick wrong.
Sept 24, 2023
Correct on UNLV, USF, and Ohio, but wrong on USA who lost to CMU. Quite a day for two USF players:
B. Brown QB - USF Passing:435YDS 2TD, Rushing 14CAR 82YDS 1TD
N. Simmons WR - USF 8REC 272YDS 1TD
How about Wyoming's win over Appy, and the #herd win over VTech(ACC)
It turns out WYO/APP game was the second half of a 2015/2021home /home series. The 2021 game was re-scheduled, probably due to the covid crisis.
It's early and I'm trying to get a feel for O5 ball so I'm going from my gut.
Army marches south to visits ULM(SunBelt). Bowden's boys survive 20-19.
Cal visits Denton and loses 24 -20 to NTX(AAC)
Tulane (AAC) gets a rough test from South Bama. TUL 27 USA 23
Sept 1, 2023
UCF 56 Kent St(MAC) 6. The entire off-season folks discussed how Sean Lewis' exit from the Kent ST HC job to become Deion's OC at Colorado was going to sting. It sure does. Rough first game for HC Kenni Burns.
Ugly start for MAC continues. Miami FLA rolls Miami O. Sparty rolls CMU.
Sept 3, 2023
Right on ULM and Tulane, way off on NTX.
He!! of a comeback: ULM 20 Army17
I doubt if Mean Joe Green could've saved NTX yesterday. Cal 58 NTX 21
Tulane took care of Biz: TUL 37 USA 17
Powerful early season upsets: Wyoming(MWC) over Texas Tech. TX St(SunBelt) over Baylor. NIU(MAC) over BC (ACC)
If UTSA(AAC) came close but no cigar against Houston. That may have been too much sh^t talk for the State of Texas.. HOU 17 UTSA(AAC) 14
Sept 5, 2023
Charlotte (AAC) visits my Terps this Saturday. I'm on upset alert. Biff Poggi, the 9ers HC, was born in Baltimore, MD and coached at St Francis Academy High School in Baltimore City.
Sept 10, 2023
When I turned on the game, the Terps were down 14-0. They got in the gear and won 38-20. Glad I was wrong on Charlotte, but I still see think the 9ers will be worth keeping an eye on in AAC play this season.
J. Mack, WR - CLT 4REC 106YDS 1TD
This is a slow way to get into to swing for The Dance. San Diego State Aztecs (21-5, 12-2 MWC) 45 Fresno State Bulldogs (9-16, 5-9 MWC) 43.
Boise State (20-6 10-3 MWC) escaped Colorado State 80-78 in a much- needed win for its Dance chances.
Bad loss for Cincy (17-10 8-6AAC) to East Carolina (13-12 4-8AAC). Ben Jonson scored 16 points for ECU in a 75-71 win.
I'm curious about the SunBelt slate tonight and also the Youngstown St/Milwaukee showdown of the top dogs in the Horizon.
Feb 17, 2023
USM, the Sunbelt leader, got walloped by South Bama 85-54 which allowed ULL and Marshall to move within a game of them. Andrew Taylor hit a shot late in Marshall's comeback 84-83 win over GA Southern, and ULL beat ULM 84-67.
CUSA: MTSU made the free throws down the stretch to hang on and upset FAU 74-70
WCC: St Marys beat San Diego to remain a game ahead of Gonzaga who crushed LMU.
Youngstown St crushed Milwaukee 87-58 to take sole possession of first in the Horizon.
Feb 19, 2023
Sunbelt: USM and Marshall won to stay in the same positions, but JMU's win over ULL leaves those two teams tied for third. FYI: USA has moved to 8-8 in conference play after back to back blowout wins over USM and ULM.
CUSA: North Texas(14-3) beats UTEP 80-72 in OT for eighth straight win and moved a half game of idle FAU(14-2)
AAC: J. Cook(30PTS 7AST 4STL) had a solid night for Tulane(10-3) in a win over USF which moved them into a tie with Memphis for second place.
WCC: St Marys and Gonzaga keep winning while Santa Clara handled Portland and remains a distant third.
Big Sky: Eastern Montana is 15-0 in conference play.
Horizon: Youngstown St crushed Green Bay and Milwaukee lost to Robert Morris. Cleveland St and Northern Kentucky are tied for second behind YSU.
Feb 20, 2023
Most of the AAC games were televised yesterday but I couldn't find the big dogs. Houston beat Memphis which fell to 3rd place.
Clev St edged NKU 63-62 to gain sole possession of second place in the Horizon. D. Johnson CLEV ST(16PTS 10REB)
MWC: Boise St beat UNLV 73-69 and is 1GB of SDST.
MVC: Bradley edged SIU and Drake beat Belmont which keeps the winners tied for first.
Feb 21, 2023
Houston is ranked first overall, but it doesn't seem appear to be getting the rest of the AAC much respect in Dance talk.
I've been ignoring the Big West. Hawaii(11-5) beat Cal Bakersfield to move into a tie for third with UC-Santa Barbara who lost to Cal St Fullerton(11-5). They trail UC-Riverside(12-5) and Cal Irvine(13-3).
Feb 22, 2023
San Diego St keeps rolling with a win over Colorado St. I doubt if the Aztecs will have trouble adjusting to the Pac 12 in hoops. I'm not sure if Apple TV is the answer for the Pac 12.
Feb 23, 2022
AAC- Houston 89 TUL 59. Big wake up call for second place Tulane. J. Roberts had a solid night for the Cougars (26PTS 7REB)
MWC: Boise St(12-3) handled New Mexico(7-8). Pitino Jr's Lobos have fallen fast after a nice early season start.
SunBelt: Marshall(13-4) moved into a tie for first with USM. Kinsey scored 31 for MU in a win over JMU while USM (13-4) lost to ODU(10-7). I'm keeping my eye on those hot Jags(9-8) who've won 7 of their last 8 conference games. Isaiah Moore's scored 22 points for South Alabama in a 76-67 win over TXST(6-11).
WCC: St Mary's and Gonzaga remain 1-2 and will play each other on Feb 25. Santa Clara is hanging tough to get a Dance ticket.
CUSA: FAU(15-2) crushed UTSA, and Charlotte upset NTX(14-4)
Feb 25, 2023
Some shake-up before the Sunbelt T begins at Pensacola Bay Center on February 28. USM won the regular season with a win over TX State. Marshall and ULL tied for second after MU lost ODU and ULL beat USA last night.
Feb 26, 2023
AAC- Houston handled ECU. SMU fell to USF and continues to sputter on its way to the Pac12.
CUSA: Florida Atlantic(26-3 16-2C-USA) 75 UTEP(13-16 6-12C-USA) 49
WCC: Zags deliver a dose of reality to St Marys and the teams are tied for first. GONZ 77 SM 68. Santa Clara (23-8 11-5WCC) has to be a bubble team. SC 81 San Diego 63
Feb 27, 2023
Stephen F. Austin (19-10 11-5 WAC) 80 California Baptist (15-14 7-9 WAC) 58. WAC was televised on ESPN U yesterday.
Memphis beat Cincy and remains in second a game ahead of Tulane in the AAC.
Feb 28, 2023
Zags host Chicago St tomorrow, and St Mary's regular season is over, and they get the top seed. The tiebreaker was determined by the NCAA Evaluation Tool. The Gaels (25-6, 14-2 WCC) are No. 7 in the NET, while the Zags (25-5, 14-2 WCC) are No. 9. However, the Zags are ranked higher in the polls. It keeps getting goofier. Just toss a coin!
Queens won its rd1 game against FGSU in the ASUNT, but if they win the tourney, they won't dance for the same reason, the transition to 1A process, Jax St didn't Dance last season.
March 1, 2023
MWC: Aztecs(14-3) were outscored 14-0 over the final 14:47 in a 66-60 loss to Boise St(13-4). Nevada(12-5) lost to Wyoming(4-13) on Monday and needs to beat UNLV(6-10) to keep their Dance chances alive. SDST finishes against Wyoming, and Boise St ends with UtahSt(11-5)
MAC: Toledo(15-2) blew out CMU and will win the conference regular season with a win over Ball St or a Kent St(14-3) loss to Akron.
I'll try to do a blog on the early conference tournaments tomorrow.
Dec 15, 2025
Stunned that Chicago St(NEC) beat LOYCH(A10). Cockrill scored 22 for the Cougars in the 84-75 W.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Eastern Michigan Eagles(8-4) vs San José State Spartans(7-4). MWC is on a nice bowl roll so I'll go with SJST to win 31 to 27.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers(8-5) vs South Alabama Jaguars(10-2) Jags lost to UCLA by 1 and Troy by 4 while WKU has a solid aerial attack. USA 24 WKU 23
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Baylor Bears(6-6) vs Air Force Falcons(9-3)
Air Force doesn't have enough firepower to get by the Bears and the MWC roll ends. BAY 34 AFA 23
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns(6-6) vs Houston Cougars(7-5)
Cougars finish their AAC career with a narrow win over ULL of the Sunbelt. HOU 34 ULL 27
EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders(7-5) vs San Diego State Aztecs(7-5)
Two up and down teams all season. Aztecs D gets the MWC back on the winning track.
SDSU 20 MTSU 17
I didn't forget two MAC teams,Toledo/Liberty and Bowling Green/ NewMexico St. Hunches are here https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2022/11/countdown-to-less-independents-nearly.html
Dec 21, 2022
Off to a bad start! SJST was up 13-9 after 1Q, got blanked in the second quarter 21-0 and never recovered. EMU 41 SJST 27. Nice game for I. Hamilton WR - SJSU 5REC,137YDS,1TD
Dec 22 , 2022
If you're betting against my picks, you're doing fine. WKU was hot early and rolled South Bama. Reed threw for 497 yards and two TD passes for the Hilltoppers in a 44-23 victory.
Dec 23, 2022
Wrong again, Air Force had plenty of firepower in a 30-15 win over Baylor.
Dec 23, 2022
Little less scoring than I guessed, but the Cougars pulled out a win thanks to its QB Tune and its D shutting out the Cajuns in the second half. HOU 23 ULL 16
Dec 25, 2022
My lack of faith in the CUSA burns me again. MTSU hits a FG with two minutes to go and hangs on to beat the Aztecs 25-23. Mayden , the SDST QB, tossed three interceptions.
Troy scored 55 points in a win over USM last night. Tonight, I'll go with FIU at home in a 24-20 win over NMSU. Maybe Kohl doesn't ...