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North Texas controls its own destiny in the west as they take a week off before a pivotal match-up with UTSA that should decide the west. In the east, East Carolina and Marshall continue their winning ways as they are on the collision course to decide the east. After a past of pass happy offenses, there maybe a new identity of the C-USA as nine different players ran for more than 100 yards last week. Six teams are bowl eligible with three schools with an outside chance. Here is this week's look at the C-USA, 6. UTSA Roadrunners (5-5, 4-2) Last: (W) 10-7 Vs. Tulane, Up Next: Bye, Last Week Rank: #7 The legend of UTSA kicker Sean Ianno keeps growing. The UTSA kicker nailed a 34 yard field goal with 14 seconds left in the game to give UTSA a huge 10-7 win over Tulane last week in the Alamodome. The seven points allowed against Tulane was the fewest allowed ever by an FBS opponent UTSA has faced. Defensively its been the same producers all season for the Runners, Steven Kurfehs, Drew Douglas, and Cody Berry all are difference makers to go along with a tough defensive line. Running back Brandon Armstrong has also been solid the past couple of weeks giving them another option on offense that has a lot of hands touch the ball as it is. One of the biggest games in program history is against North Texas this week, impressive work they have done winning three straight after losing three straight. This game is surely to start a rivalry between these two proud fan bases. 2. North Texas Mean Green (7-3, 5-1) Last: (W) 41-7 Vs. UTEP, Up Next: Bye, Last Week Rank: #2 Winners of their last five, North Texas stays a top the west and checks in at number 2. Brandin Byrd ran for a career high 202 yards and two touchdowns against UTEP last week. Defensivley they forced UTEP to have more punt yards then total offense yards. The Mean Green are for real this year and should represent the west against either Marshall or East Carolina. It will not be easy wrapping the west this week. UTSA comes into Denton with a lot of confidence. This will be a good physical game to watch, though the I gotta go with North Texas. Experience and play makers are the difference in my mind, in what could be one the best college football games of the season. Read more: http://www.minerrush.com/2013/11/13/5094010/conference-usa-football-power-rankings-week-12

North Texas boasts the most talented group of linebackers and defensive backs in the C-USA and maybe the whole State of Texas. That group has been the responsible for giving the Mean Green a plus-9 turnover margin. Middle Linebacker Zachary Orr leads the team in tackles and has recorded twelve tackles in a game twice this season. Marcus Trice is the best safety in the C-USA, he is third on the team in tackles, leads the team with four interceptions and has also blocked two kicks. The Mean Green defense is on a streak of four straight games of holding opponents to under 20 points, and with Miners only scoring 14 points the past two weeks, that could very well be the story of the game with a true freshman starting in his first game at quarterback against a top defense. Wade and Orr are not the only productive players on the Green Curtain. Lairamie Lee is a hard hitting safety that plays both the strong and free giving North Texas one the best safety combos in the conference with him and Trice. Will Wright plays outside linebacker on the left side and has two picks, and has good size at 6'2 230. Derek Akunne plays the opposite side at linebacker and is second on the team in tackles can really bang heads in there, like Orr he has two games of twelve tackles as well. You can't forget about that quick and active defensive line for North Texas. While the Miners offensive line has faced bigger lineups, they will not face a more deep, experienced, and talent group. Aaron Bellazin leads the group in sacks at the defensive end spot, and could get an NFL look after the draft. Richard Abbe is a monster at D-tackle, he goes 6'4 320. While his stats will not jump out at you, the injury problems for the Miners offensive front at guard will be exposed. Read more: http://www.minerrush.com/2013/11/8/5077936/utep-at-north-texas-game-preview