Conference USA Power Poll – Tulsa and Houston are Top Dogs

Conference USA bettors haven’t had a great start to the 2009 NCAA football betting season, but there are still a few teams that are lighting it up on the scoreboard. Find out who those teams are with this week’s BetOnline.com power poll…

1: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-0 ATS, 2-0 SU) (LW: 2) – Not only did Tulsa go out and schedule some decent opponents for non-conference play this year, but it also scheduled road games. However, this week’s task will be significantly different than roadies to Tulane and New Mexico. The Sooners are still a formidable foe, with or without QB Sam Bradford. The Golden Hurricane will need a perfect offensive effort to pull off the shocker.

Up Next: Away @ Oklahoma (+15.5)

2: Houston Cougars (1-0 ATS, 2-0 SU) (LW: 4) – Even though the Cougars were a trendy upset selection last week, there still weren’t many bigger shocks than Houston’s 45-35 victory in Stillwater. Now, the Cougs are ranked #21 in the nation and the world knows about QB Case Keenum. Keenum accounted for four touchdowns and 366 passing yards in the victory.

Up Next: Bye

3: SMU Mustangs (1-0 ATS, 2-0 SU) (LW: 6) – The Mustangs still can’t play defense, but they were good enough to pick up a road victory at UAB last week in spite of the fact that they were 10.5-point underdogs. After the 35-33 win, could this team really move to 3-0 next week? Washington State has looked awful this season. A bowl game may not be so far fetched.

Up Next: Away @ Washington State (-7)

4: UAB Blazers (1-1 ATS, 1-1 SU) (LW: 1) – After upsetting Rice two weeks ago, the Blazers put up a complete dud at home against SMU. QB Joe Webb picked up another 300+ yard game between his 226 through the air and 97 on the ground, but he turned the ball over four times. That’s just not going to get it done.

Up Next: Away @ Troy (+7)

5: UCF Knights (1-0 ATS, 1-1 SU) (LW: 12) – Some how, some way, the Knights found a way to cover the 14.5-point spread against a significantly stronger Southern Miss team. UCF still only had 194 yards of offense, but at least HC George O’Leary may have finally found himself a quarterback. QB Brett Hodges replaced Rob Calabrese and went 15/26 for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Up Next: Home vs. Buffalo (-4)

6: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (0-1 ATS, 2-0 SU) (LW: 3) – Shame on the Golden Eagles for having double the yardage of the Knights and not coming anywhere near covering the 16.5-point spread. A 26-19 victory over a weak UCF club is probably bad news for the rest of the season. SMS could really use an impressive victory against Virginia no matter how bad the Cavaliers really are.

Up Next: Home vs. Virginia (-16.5)

And the rest…

7: East Carolina Pirates (0-1 ATS, 1-1 SU) (LW: 7)

8: Memphis Tigers (0-2 ATS, 0-2 SU) (LW: 5)

9: UTEP Miners (0-2 ATS, 0-2 SU) (LW:

10: Tulane Green Wave (0-2 ATS, 0-2 SU) (LW: 9)

11: Marshall Thundering Herd (0-2 ATS, 1-1 SU) (LW: 10)

12: Rice Owls (0-2 ATS, 0-2 SU) (LW: 11)