The Battle for the Mid-American Conference Throne: A Week 3 Showdown

As the 2024 college football season continues to heat up, three thrilling matchups are set to take center stage in Week 3. The CBS Sports Network will be your go-to destination for live coverage of these electrifying games. But before we dive in, let's take a closer look at what's at stake. UMass, an independent program until July 2025 when they join the Mid-American Conference, is on a 1-11 streak in its last 12 games against FBS competition. They'll face off against Buffalo, who's looking to redeem themselves after a 38-0 loss to Missouri. But what if we assume that being part of the Mid-American Conference will reverse UMass's fortunes? What might the author have missed in their analysis? On the other hand, the Battle of the Brothers between Utah and Utah State is back after a nearly 10-year hiatus. Utah, a preseason Big 12 media poll favorite, is a hefty favorite to add to its 12-1 advantage against its in-state rival. But what if Utah State's 2012 upset is a sign of things to come? What might the author have overlooked in their assessment of the Aggies' chances? Finally, BYU, a surging team with an impressive win against SMU, takes on Wyoming in an underrated nonconference match. The Cougars are favored by 10 points, but what if Wyoming's recent history of beating Power Four programs has them flying under the radar? What might the author have forgotten about the Cowboys' capabilities?