Conference USA Football 2021: Week 11 C-USA Roundup

Conference USA Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 11.

TeamWeek 11ResultWeek 12
Charlotteat LA TechL, 42-32vs Marshall
FAUat Old DominionL, 30-16at WKU
FIUat MTSUL, 50-10vs North Texas
LA Techvs CharlotteW, 42-32vs Southern Miss
Marshallvs UABL, 21-14at Charlotte
MTSUvs FIUW, 50-10vs Old Dominion
North Texasvs UTEPW, 20-17at FIU
Old Dominionvs FAUW, 30-16at MTSU
Ricevs WKUL, 42-21at UTEP
Southern Missat UTSAL, 27-17at LA Tech
UABat MarshallW, 21-14at UTSA
UTEPat North TexasL, 20-17vs Rice
UTSAvs Southern MissW, 27-17vs UAB
WKUat RiceW, 42-21vs FAU

Notable Week 11 results – Standings

Southern Miss scare

Owners of a seven-game losing streak, Southern Miss decided to throw everything they had against UTSA on Saturday… everything except a quarterback. And it almost worked. Frank Gore Jr. operated out of the wildcat for much of the game, completing two-of-three passes and running for 123 yards. This game was deadlocked at 17-17 well into the fourth quarter before UTSA was able to escape.

Monarchs heating up

Old Dominion has quietly won three games in a row. Before that, the Monarchs had been blasted by Western Kentucky (not unlike several other C-USA foes) and dropped one-score games to Marshall and UTEP. It took some time for the off-year dust to fall off, but Old Dominion is playing their best football of the year at the right time.

Miners trending backward

It wasn’t that long ago that UTEP was being mentioned amongst the best records in Conference USA. The miners were tied for the lead in the West through seven weeks, but have now dropped three in a row. Already at six wins, a bowl trip is secure, but the dreams of finishing near the top of the West took a hit when they fell to North Texas this past week.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

For the West

Opinions were split regarding C-USA West entering the 2021 season and folks fell into one of two camps. Some sided with Bill Clark and the UAB Blazers, the West Division champs three years running. Others felt UTSA and Jeff Traylor could continue their meteoric rise. Those two programs meet next weekend. The winner takes the West.

Controlling their own destiny

If Western Kentucky wins out, they win the East. The road to get there will be challenging, though. Up next is FAU, a team reeling from an upset at the hands of Old Dominion this past weekend. If Bailey Zappe and Co. continue to put up the points they could face the UTSA/UAB winner in a few weeks.

Bowl Battle

A mid-November tilt between Middle Tennessee and Old Dominion just much more interesting. The Monarchs kept bowl hopes alive with their win over Florida Atlantic. They need to more wins to reach the six-win plateau. MTSU needs one. This game could prove pivotal to both programs’ holiday plans.