FAVORITE TEAMS

5. COASTAL CAROLINA AT KANSAS – 7PM PT / 10PM ET on FOX SPORTS 1

Last season’s match was subpar. Coastal’s miscues on field goals and extra point and Kansas’s underperforming offense outside of running backs Pooka Williams and Khalil Herbert were the main takeaways from the 12-7 game. This game should be different with Kansas’ offense improved under second year coach Les Miles. Coastal Carolina will dangerous and a tough out. It all comes down to quarterback play by both teams, but Kansas may finally equalize this matchup if their quarterback maintains possession for the whole game.

4. ARKANSAS STATE AT KANSAS STATE – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET on FOX SPORTS 1

Kansas State returns plenty of offense led by senior quarterback Skylar Thompson. He’s very fortunate to have receiver Malik Knowles back. Unfortunately, the Wildcats have a lot of pieces to replace at running back, the rest of the receiving core and the offensive line. Arkansas State wasn’t bad last week, but Memphis was the better team and the defense struggled to stop them the whole game. This weekend should be their opportunity with Kansas State’s offense rebuilding. However, their defense must regroup and pressure Skylar Thompson while the offense relies on their offensive line to contain K-State’s veteran defense. If running back Marcel Murray isn’t on the field with Ark State, Kansas State could come away with the win.

3. SYRACUSE AT #18 NORTH CAROLINA – 9AM PT / 12PM ET on ACC NETWORK

The Tarheels’ are favored to win this matchup. But the reason this matchup’s in the Top 5 is that the Heels’ winless record at home against Syracuse (0-2) and trail in this meeting all-time (2-3).

The Heels’ defense returns only four starters and lose starting safety DJ Ford and two backup defensive backs after opting out this season, so depth is a concern. Syracuse isn’t much to look at, but they return quarterback Tommy DeVito and four experience O-Line on offense, and the majority of their defensive backs on defense. However, they lose their top two running backs this season.

Syracuse backfield plays a key factor in how the team performs overall at Chapel Hill this weekend. Going after the coverage will be the key. Otherwise, they don’t have enough firepower to keep up.

2. CHARLOTTE AT APPALACHIAN STATE – 9AM PT / 12PM ET on ESPN2

Appalachian State’s the obvious favorite and with so much depth on offense returning (despite Corey Sutton opting out), they should be dangerous again. Eliah Drinkwitz left for Missouri but App State hired new coaches in-house, so nothing should change.

Charlotte finished their last five regular season games with wins, including an upset over Marshall. They’re fortunate to return some key players on offense and should improve off last season’s late success. What could hurt them is returning only three starters on defense with so much production to replace after Alex Highsmith’s graduation.

Although App State is favored, they won’t have a home crowd and could affect their play and motivation. Charlotte is 0-2 against App State, but they’ve inched closer in scoring results in those meetings. This may work in their favor knowing they have coach Will Healy as one hell of a motivator and no App State fan will disrupt their opportunity.

1. TULANE AT SOUTH ALABAMA- 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET on ESPN2

After South Alabama’s upset win last week, this should be the game to watch for their repeat performance.

Quarterback Desmond Trotter mostly played well and made several big plays to his top three receivers (two went for 100 yards receiving). Running back Carlos Davis punished Southern Miss’s defense for most of the game. Not only will this team play Tulane, but they’ll also compete against former Southern Miss quarterback Keon Howard. He must prove he’s deserving of the starting spot with potential weapons across the depth chart, including all-purpose back Amare Jones. They won’t, however, have Corey Dauphine this year after tearing his Achilles. Tulane’s defense should be as good as last season with a dangerous front seven.

Surprisingly, South Alabama leads this meeting (1-0) and is comfortable at home. Their home games were decided by 8 points or less 25 times (53%) since joining the FBS and were .500 or more six out of eight seasons. It’s hard to believe that the Jaguars will win, but they have homefield advantage and Tulane lost some of their offensive production. Expect this game to be a close one.

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK’S TOP 5 GAMES

5. UAB 45

CENTRAL ARKANSAS 35

4.MEMPHIS 37

ARKANSAS STATE 24

3. ARMY 42

MID TENN 0

2. NORTH TEXAS 57

HOUSTON BAPTIST 31

1. BYU 55

NAVY 3