Underdog Dynasty
An unofficial The American, Conference USA, Sun Belt, and Independent football blog
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Four takeaways from Week 7 in the American Conference
Week 7 of the American Conference delivered chaos, leaving only UT S A (6‑1) unbeaten and the sole CFP hopeful from the league. Upsets saw Memphis, FAU and East Carolina fall, while Charlotte snapped a 15‑game road skid by beating Temple. Army’s Cale Hellums and Navy’s Jackson Gutierrez dominate the option QB race, each ranking in the top two FBS rushing quarterbacks. Non‑conference results cement UT S A’s edge: the Roadrunners boast wins over two Pac‑12 foes and a lone loss to Texas, positioning them for the new CFP bid reserved for the highest‑ranked team from the Group of Six conferences. Meanwhile, defensive stalwart East Carolina continues to impress despite roster turnover.
Five thoughts from Week 7 in the Big 12
Week 7 showcases the Big 12’s surge on the national stage as BYU rockets to No. 2 after a 28‑24 upset of Notre Dame, giving the conference its second AP Top‑10 win. Undefeated Texas Tech (53‑25 over Arizona State) and Utah (27‑24 over Colorado) keep the league stacked with four teams in the AP Top 15, bolstering CFP hopes. College GameDay returns to a Big 12 campus for the Utah‑Houston clash. Meanwhile, West Virginia provides nonstop drama, snapping a three‑game losing streak with a 45‑42 walk‑off win over Cincinnati despite never leading. The article breaks down these takeaways and the conference’s path to multiple playoff bids.
Weekday CUSA Previews: 2026 Week 8
Week 8 of CUSA’s weekday slate promises four intriguing matchups across three nights. On Tuesday, FIU (3‑3, 14.7 ppg allowed) travels to Middle Tennessee, a 3‑3 Blue Raiders team led by sophomore QB Roman Gagliano (291 yards, 3 TD) and a revamped pass rush; FIU is a 10‑point favorite. Also Tuesday, Missouri State (2‑4) faces winless Delaware after a breakthrough win over Kennesaw State, with QB Henry Belin IV posting 300 yards and two TDs. Wednesday pits New Mexico State against Sam Houston, and Thursday crowns the week with Liberty versus Kennesaw State. Double‑digit spreads loom, but past CUSA nights have delivered late three‑point thrills.
Weigman, Houston deliver 35-32 statement win over Oklahoma State
No. 20 Houston stunned No. 18 Oklahoma State 35‑32 on Oct. 17 at TDECU Stadium, securing its fourth straight win and bowl eligibility. Quarterback Conner Weigman delivered a career‑best 343 yards and five TDs, completing 72.7% and converting three critical fourth‑down attempts, including a daring QB sneak. Wide receiver Amare Thomas hauled in seven catches for 126 yards and two scores, while Trent Walker added 104 yards. The Cougars never trailed after the first quarter, outgaining the Cowboys 505‑499 yards in a high‑scoring duel witnessed by a sellout crowd of 42,544.
South Florida scoop-and-score turns tide in 29-2 win over Kent State
South Florida turned a 2-0 early deficit into a 29-2 rout of Kent State on Oct. 8 in Tampa, highlighted by C.J. Hicks’ 99‑yard fumble recovery for his first career TD. The Bulls scored 29 unanswered points after the safety, with backup QB Luke Kromenhoek adding a goal‑line run and starter Michael Van Buren Jr. connecting on a 36‑yard pass to Cameron Seldon. Kent State finished with just two points—the first team to score exactly two since 2020—and fell to last in the nation in scoring. The win completes USF’s non‑conference sweep (5‑2 overall) as they gear up for a bye before facing UAB on Oct. 31.
Tulsa scores 31 straight to take down Rice, 38-17
Tulsa snaps a three‑game skid with a 38‑17 road win over Rice on Oct. 16, scoring 31 unanswered points after trailing 17‑7. Quarterback Baylor Hayes throws for 249 yards and three touchdowns on 20‑of‑27 passes, while three different running backs and two receivers find the end zone. A key strip‑sack by safety Devin Robinson sets up a first‑half lead change, and Tulsa shuts out Rice in the second half. Rice falls to 1‑6 (0‑3 American) with its longest losing streak since 2020, while Tulsa improves to 4‑3 (1‑2 American) and looks for its first conference home win next week.
Army hammers FAU 56-24 behind 479 rushing yards, 8 TD
Army’s triple‑option overwhelms Florida Atlantic 56‑24 at Michie Stadium, as the Black Knights rack up 479 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Cale Hellums adds 195 yards on the ground, tying the school record with five rushing TDs and joining the program’s all‑time leaders. Jake Rendina and Bryson Luter each break 60‑plus‑yard runs, while the defense forces a turnover that fuels a 28‑point streak. The win marks Army’s third straight conference victory and its biggest FBS margin since 2024, while FAU suffers its first conference loss, dropping to 4‑2 in the American.
Charlotte snaps FBS-high 15-game losing streak at Temple
The Charlotte 49ers finally broke their FBS‑high 15‑game losing streak with a 38‑31 upset of Temple on Oct. 19, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field. Quarterback Conner Harrell threw for 281 yards, two passing TDs and added two short rushing scores, sealing the win with a 47‑yard field goal by Aiden Bui with 1:48 left. Coach Tim Albin, now 2‑17 all‑time, praised the team’s grit after a season that included back‑to‑back 40‑point losses and an opening defeat to FCS rival The Citadel. Charlotte improves to 1‑6 and looks to build momentum against Tulane on Oct. 30.
Cincinnati drops 45-42 shootout at West Virginia on last-second FG
Cincinnati’s bid for its first win at West Virginia since 2009 ends in a 45-42 shootout loss as Jack Cassidy nails a 35-yard field goal with no time left. The Bearcats led or tied throughout the game, but Michael Hawkins Jr. and the Mountaineers answered every touch, highlighted by a 39-yard catch by Preston Strachan that set up the buzzer-beater. JC French IV throws for a career‑high 389 yards, while Cole Tabb rushes for 118 yards, yet a crucial turnover on downs and a late three‑and‑out hand West Virginia the chance to score 24 points in the final frame. West Virginia improves to 4-3 (1-3 Big 12) and snaps a three‑game skid, while Cincinnati falls to 4-2 (1-2 Big 12).
UTSA, American Conference mourn service member after fatal Alamodome tragedy
A U.S. Air Force airman died after losing control of a rappel rope during a pregame salute demonstration at the Alamodome on Oct. 17, moments before the UTSA‑Navy matchup. The service member fell onto the field, was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The American Conference, after consulting officials, chose to proceed with the game, which was delayed ten minutes. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor expressed condolences and noted the crowd of 23,297 felt a palpable loss of energy.
College GameDay is headed to Salt Lake City for #10 Utah vs. #14 Houston
College GameDay heads to Salt Lake City on Oct. 24 for its Week 8 spotlight: No. 10 Utah vs. No. 14 Houston. It's the Utes' seventh GameDay host and the first Big 12 clash of the season featured by the show. Utah comes in on a 12‑game winning streak, the nation’s longest, after a 27‑24 win over Colorado, while Houston makes its first GameDay road appearance, having previously hosted only in 2011. The all‑time series favors Houston 5‑0, but Utah aims to defend its home turf. The broadcast runs live on ESPN from 9 a.m. to noon ET, with the game kicking off at 10:15 p.m. ET.
FCS Week 7 Recap: Unrest Up Top
There has not been a calm and quiet week in the FCS yet but this last weekend may have been the craziest one so far. Several ranked teams suffered losses and, as has been the case for well over a month now, the Top 25 voters are going to have a difficult job in front […]
It’s ‘Stein’ Week in Montana Again; Can Idaho Land Second Treasure State Upset?
One of the best rivalries (with one of the coolest trophies) in all of FCS football is the “Little Brown Stein” showdown. Montana and Idaho duke it out almost annually in a game that usually has a lot riding on it for at least one, if not both, of the teams. The Grizzlies and Vandals […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Troy Trojans @ Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Game notes Setting the scene The quarterbacks are named Goose and Lunch. The division race is considerably more serious. Since the Sun Belt introduced its championship game in 2018, the West has sent exactly two programs to play in it: Louisiana and Troy. The Cajuns handled the first four trips and returned in 2024. The […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Navy Midshipmen @ UTSA Roadrunners
Game notes Setting the scene It’s hard to believe, but UTSA and Navy never met once in their first three seasons sharing the American Conference. San Antonio is known as Military City USA, serving as the home of the largest joint military base in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of military veterans live in […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes @ South Florida Bulls
Game notes Setting the scene Non-conference play isn’t quite over yet. South Florida and Kent State meet at Raymond James Stadium to conclude their respective out-of-conference slates. The Bulls (4-2, 1-2 American) can sweep their non-conference slate. Meanwhile, the Golden Flashes (2-4, 1-2 MAC) look to snap a 31-game regular season losing streak to non-conference […]
UAB storms back from late deficit, claims 30-17 OT victory over ECU
UAB had the perfect opportunity to showcase its progress on a national stage. Birmingham, AL hosted a live SportsCenter taping Thursday as the Blazers welcomed East Carolina for a nationally televised matchup on ESPN. UAB entered the contest off to its best start since joining the American Conference in 2023, looking to prove its early-season success was […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Memphis Tigers @ Tulane Green Wave
Game notes Setting the scene Memphis is bringing an offense averaging more than 500 yards per game to New Orleans on a Friday night. Tulane is bringing a nine-game home winning streak and the recent history of being very bad for the Tigers’ mood. Seems like a perfectly reasonable way to start the weekend. The […]
FCS Week 7 Game of the Week: Grambling Tigers @ Alabama A&M Bulldogs: How to Watch, Preview, Predictions
Date: Saturday, October 17 Time: 3:00 PM (ET) TV: ESPN+ The Quick Hits The SWAC got really interesting last week, largely because Grambling took down Jackson State in a shootout in Louisiana. Now the Tigers, fresh off that big win, turn their attention to another conference contender in the East division in Alabama A&M. The […]
Defensive domination: WKU collects first road win at Sam Houston, 16-3
You could sense it the moment Western Kentucky stepped off the bus in Huntsville, TX. From pregame warmups to the runout of the tunnel, the Hilltoppers displayed a different spark, a different energy, and a different level of enthusiasm. That intensity sustained through all four quarters of their Wednesday night nationally televised matchup at Sam […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Cincinnati Bearcats @ West Virginia Mountaineers
Game notes Setting the scene An old Big East rivalry is renewed. Cincinnati and West Virginia surprisingly didn’t square off last season, making Saturday’s contest just the third matchup between the programs in the four years they’ve shared the Big 12. The Mountaineers have largely dominated the series since its inaugural meeting in 1921 and […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Rice Owls
Game notes Setting the scene It’s been 15 years since Rice and Tulsa met at Rice Stadium, which was renamed to First Community Stadium earlier this month. Despite the most recent matchups occurring in Tulsa, the Owls have controlled the series as of late. During the last meeting in 2023, Rice won in decisive 42-10 […]
Meet Cam Edge, the QB for the Best Team in HBCU Football
As summer faded to fall, most of those that pay attention the MEAC had one team and one team only circled as the favorite to get to Atlanta and hoist the Celebration Bowl trophy at season’s end. The one that did it last year. South Carolina State, rightfully, garnered most of the preseason attention as […]
2026 Week 7 Preview: Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Houston Cougars
Game notes Setting the scene This is Houston’s moment. TDECU Stadium hasn’t hosted a ranked matchup since the 2015 American Conference Championship Game, when No. 17 Houston defeated No. 20 Temple in the stadium’s second year of existence. More than a decade later, the No. 20 Cougars welcome No. 18 Oklahoma State for a matchup […]
Middle Tennessee emerges over Delaware, 33-30, in duel with seven lead changes
Week 7 of the college football season opened in Murfreesboro, TN. Middle Tennessee made its first Weekday CUSA appearance of the season, hosting a Delaware team that also was fresh off a bye week. The Blue Raiders showcased their improvement to a national audience Tuesday night, defeating the Fightin’ Blue Hens 33-30 in a thrilling […]
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