With continuing thanks to PirateTreasureNC, who started this tradition over a decade ago, it's time to publish the second annual installment of Lines in the Sand -- a weekly "pick-em" poll of all C-USA games. As last year, this will be a straight up pick (although I'll try to publish latest point spreads for informational purposes). Just pick the winner. I'll keep track of both weekly and cumulative winners and announce them at the end of all games for the week.

Last season, nastybunch was our season leader in correct picks, and won that coveted title, going away in the last week. Can he repeat? If he does, or doesn't, this weekly contest generated some interesting pre-game discussions. Here's hoping that continues. As with last year, I'll accept entries up until kick off. If you submit an entry past any games' kick off, that games (and any prior games) will not count in the final tally. That seemed to work well, last year.

There are 12 games on tap this week (North Texas is off). Point spreads this week are from http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/bowl-odds.

Thursday, September 3

FIU @ UCF (-16.5); 6:00 ET; CBSSN
Western Kentucky @ Vanderbilt (-1.5); 8:00 ET; SEC Network; Watch ESPN
UTSA @ Arizona (-31.5); 10:00 ET; PAC12 Network;

Friday, September 4
Charlotte @ Georgia State (-5.5); 3:30 PM; ESPNU, WatchESPN

Saturday, September 5
Old Dominion (-7) @ Eastern Michigan; 3:00 ET; ESPN3
Wagner @ Rice (NL); 3:30 ET; American SN
FAU @ Tulsa (-7.5); 3:30 ET; CBSSN
UTEP @ Arkansas (-33); 3:30 ET; ESPNU, WatchESPN
Southern @ LaTech (NL); 7:00 ET; American SN
Jackson State @ Middle Tennessee (NL); 7:00 ET: No TV posted
Mississippi State (-23.5) @ Southern Miss; 10:00 ET; FoxS1

Sunday, September 6
Purdue @ Marshall (-7.5); 3:00 ET; FoxS1

Have fun, folks!