SMU Mustangs versus UCF Knights Conference USA Championship 2010 NCAAF Week 14 Odds, Preview, and Predictions: The Southern Methodist Mustangs will take on the Central Florida Knights on Saturday at 12:00 Noon at the Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando for the Conference USA Championship on ESPN2. The Mustangs come in at 7-5, 6-2 2nd in the West while the Knights are 9-3, 7-1 1st in the East of the C-USA winning 7 of their last 8 games all within the conference. The winner will likely get to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. SMU got into the game by winning its finale against East Carolina and Southern Mississippi (UCF’s only conference loss) losing their last game. “It means a lot to the program, going to the conference championship, going in with a lot of emotion. I think the ball’s on our side right now, and we need to keep going with it.” — SMU running back Zach Line, who leads Conference USA in rushing. Both teams are expressing similar feelings. “It’s a lovely feeling. Our coach has been saying that it’s not often you get a chance to reach your goals, and we have that opportunity now. It’s a lovely, lovely feeling.” — WR Jamar Newsome, on reaching the Conference USA championship game. Vegas odds makers have the UFC Knights a -9 point favorite at home against the SMU Mustangs.
The UFC Knights were victorious in their last outing 37-17 on the road against Memphis moving them to 8-3 ATS for the season. Quarterback Jeff Godfrey completed 14 of 17 passes for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing 13 times for 34 yards and another score. Running back Latavius Murray ran the ball 16 times for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. The total has gone OVER in 6 of Central Florida’s last 8 games. . I considered the Knights for this week’s FBS College Football Power Top 25 Week 14 Rankings but choose Hawaii for their tougher schedule.
SMU was a 45-38 winner last time out against the East Carolina Pirates moving them to 6-6 ATS for the season. Quarterback Kyle Padron completed 21 of 34 passes for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns hitting receiver Aldrick Robinson with 5 balls for 129 yards and a touchdown. Running back Zach Line carried 30 times for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Southern Methodist’s last 7 games. Odds makers at SGB Global have the over/under for the total score at 55 points combined of the SMU Mustangs versus UCF Knights.
I predict a UCF victory at home.