The Texas Traveling Trophy got me to thinking about ODU's record against the Texas teams, and then against the West in general, and finally East vs West.

Last year, the East dominated this heads-up competition, going 11-6 against the West. This year, I’m thinking the West will handle the East a little better, but still will come up short, with the East taking the series 9-5. Here’s how I see it.

Charlotte vs UAB – The 49ers should win this one at home, but I think it will be close.

Charlotte at Southern Miss – Different year, different home team, different result.

Florida Atlantic vs North Texas – Lane’s legion of transfers win at home in the battle of the birds.

Florida Atlantic at LA Tech – But they cannot win on the road in Ruston.

Florida International at Rice – New coach, but Rice tells him, “nope – not in our house!”

Florida Internationl vs UTSA – But home field advantage is not enough to hold off the Runners.

Marshall at UTSA – Unfortunately for the Herd, they’re away against the number two team in the West.

Marshall vs Southern Miss – but they’re at home and hold service against number three.

Middle Tennessee at UAB – The Raiders have it easy against the renaissance Blazers.

Middle Tennessee vs UTEP – And against the struggling Miners in the easiest cross-division schedule.

Old Dominion at North Texas – The Aerie advantage is not enough for the Eagles to hold off the Monarchs.

Old Dominion vs Rice – While the Owls find Norfolk to be downright inhospitable.

Western Kentucky vs LA Tech – The cross-division game of the year goes to Big Red in another thriller.

Western Kentucky at UTEP – But it’s ho-hum for the Toppers in El Paso.

What do you think? Can the East hold off the West again this year?

Some favorable matchups for the West, but I still think they are way behind the East. LT can compete with anyone in the East and maybe USM, depending on QB situation. UTSA is solid and would probably be middle of the road in the East. The rest of the west is as bad as Charlotte.

Are you crazy? No way ODU or FAU beats North Texas. Don't you know UNT went 5-8, and only lost to Tech by 3 touchdowns

I think you meant East takes it at 9-5.

My picks:
UAB @ Charlotte
Charlotte @ USM
North Texas @ FAU
FAU @ La Tech
FIU @ RICE
UTSA @ FIU
Marshall @ UTSA
USM @ Marshall
MTSU @ UAB
UTEP @ MTSU
ODU @ North Texas
RICE @ ODU
La Tech @ WKU
WKU @ UTEP

West at 8-6. Switched back and forth between UAB vs Charlotte but ultimately took the homer pick.

(08-21-2017 11:09 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  I think you meant East takes it at 9-5.

Oops, thanks. Basic math -- failed again!

I fixed it.

(08-21-2017 11:09 AM)JCMiner Wrote:  I think you meant East takes it at 9-5.

My picks:
UAB @ Charlotte
Charlotte @ USM
North Texas @ FAU
FAU @ La Tech
FIU @ RICE
UTSA @ FIU
Marshall @ UTSA
USM @ Marshall
MTSU @ UAB
UTEP @ MTSU
ODU @ North Texas
RICE @ ODU
La Tech @ WKU
WKU @ UTEP

West at 8-6. Switched back and forth between UAB vs Charlotte but ultimately took the homer pick.

Charlotte should beat UAB, but I can't feel comfortable either way.

FIU should beat Rice, but the Texas trip can be tricky at times.

FIU should beat UTSA at home, but that is probably another 50/50 game.

ODU should beat North Texas

The others, I agree on.