Welcome back to the 18S Mid Major Top Ten. After a week off due to sickness we’re back to look at the Mid Majors right as conference play is on the horizon. While some teams have gotten to conference games, the majority are revving up their seasons this upcoming week. Let’s see where the teams stand going into this first pivot point of the season.
Also Considered: Miami (OH), Marshall, SMU
Three And Out Takeaways
First Down: The Mid Major Who Was The Biggest Winner…Lost?
Memphis has had an interesting couple of weeks. The Tigers struggled to put away Navy last Thursday night, in a game that easily felt like a loss but was a win. This past Saturday Memphis went to St Louis to take on Mizzou. The Tigers fell 34-27, but kept the fight against a really good SEC team. Memphis has seemingly been under the microscope during this round of realignment, wanting a Big 12 invitation during the last round. The team has shown that they belong at the top of the new American with their play. If they want to return to the NY6 they need to continue to play games like this past week, rather than the Navy performance.
Second Down: The American Has Lost A Step
That brings us to the new American conference. With UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston leaving for the Big 12 there seemed to be a power void in the conference. SMU and Memphis have seemingly stepped up to the level of Tulane this season with those teams gone. However, the teams like East Carolina, UTSA, North Texas have struggled to find a footing. With conference play starting up, there will most likely be a rising tide lifting some boats, but there is intrigue as to which boats will float.
Third Down: Most Conference Races Are Wide Open
While the American appears to be a three horse race, much of the other Mid Majors seem to have much more open opportunities out there. The Sun Belt and Mountain West races seem to be in particular fun to watch as we get into October football. Troy, Louisiana, South Alabama have all had setbacks but looked poised to make a jump in the Sun Belt East. The Sun Belt West is wide open with Coastal already down a conference game, JMU ineligible, and App State seemingly taking another step back from 2022.
The Mountain West offers even more fun. At the top we currently have Fresno State and Air Force as a defacto CCG. But that does not take into account what Wyoming is seemingly doing this season, Boise State looming over all of this, and potential wild cards UNLV (3-1!!!!) and San Diego State (a PITA for all MWC teams) looming in the shadows.
Week 5 Preview
There are some fun games this week as we have some killer non-conference games that are still coming in and the kick off of conference play.
Boise State @ Memphis: The unofficial Mid Major Gameday spot for this week, Memphis should be rocking for one of the biggest games in the Liberty Bowl this side of Ole Miss. Boise State makes its first trip to Memphis, using this as the final measuring stick for Taylen Green and the offense before diving deep into conference play.
Eastern Michigan @ Central Michigan: Central Michigan, a week after being somewhat competitive against the Irish, knocked off South Alabama and look to be feisty in the MAC. Their first test is Eastern Michigan. The Eagles, whom looked to be a potential sleeper, have fallen to Minnesota and to Jacksonville St during the early part of the season. This is a good shot for either team to try and lay claim to top challenger to Toledo.
Northern Illinois @ Toledo: Speaking of the Rockets, they got through their first test against Western Michigan with some growing pains. Their next test is Northern Illinois. While not doing well mostly on the season, the Huskies have been a tough out for Toledo with Rocky Lombardi under center.
San Diego State @ Air Force: Whatever the under is in this game, it’s still probably not low enough.
Louisiana @ Minnesota: This Minnesota team struggled putting away Northwestern know has to try and put away Louisiana. This is probably the best time to play Minnesota in their place, and it can show that 2022 was a one time dip in the ascent of the program.
South Alabama @ James Madison: A game South Alabama really needs to right the ship, and a game JMU can use in its conquest to become the true Sun Belt Champions.
Troy @ Georgia State: Coming off their biggest win to date, the Panthers come back home to take on the best defense in the conference in Troy. The Trojans are looking to follow up their hard fought win over Western Kentucky to repeat as conference Champions.
Wyoming keeps winning games from behind, hung with Tx through three quarters.
Starting Oct 3 they have Freson St, then AF, Bye, Boise St, and then their big rival with CO St. Certainly know by the end of that stretch if they are real.
I like Fresno State this year. That 10/7 Fresno vs Wyoming game is going to be a dynamite G5 game that is unfortunately right in the ND vs Louisville timeslot, shared with Kentucky vs Georgia.