We have moved into November and championship races are coming into focus. This season, the 12-team Conference USA will feature an 8-game conference schedule with the top two teams at the end of the regular season meeting for the league’s championship.
Here are our updated power rankings for CUSA, and we will be updating these weekly during the season.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of ESPN FPI. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Kennesaw State (6-2, 4-0) #91
no change
Previous: W, 33-20 vs UTEP
The Owls trailed UTEP, 20-16, late in the third quarter before closing the game by scoring 17 unanswered to remain unbeaten in conference play. Chase Belcher ran for 113 yards including a touchdown late. Kennesaw’s two losses came early in the year to Wake Forest (by one point) and No. 2 Indiana as they h ave become bowl eligible in its first season as a full FBS member. The Owls took advantage of a defensive touchdown, special teams touchdown, and safety for its first 16 points of the game.
20-16 late 3rd quarter kennesaw scored 17 unanswered
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ New Mexico State, 4 p.m., ESPN+
2. Jacksonville State (5-3, 4-0) #101
no change
Previous: W, 24-21 @ Middle Tennessee
Cam Cook scored the go-ahead and eventual winning touchdown with 4:29 left in the game to help the Gamecocks remain unbeaten in conference play. The Jax State defense ended two drives to secure the 24-21 win. The Gamecocks scored on its opening three possessions of the fourth quarter while Middle Tennessee was unable to get past midfield on its final two drives. Cook finished with 21 carries for 105 yards. Caden Creel was 13 for 19 for 139 yards with one touchdown.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ UTEP, 3 p.m., ESPN+
3. Western Kentucky (7-2, 5-1) #107
no change
Previous: W, 35-16 vs New Mexico State
Rodney Tisdale threw four touchdown passes in WKU’s win over New Mexico State Saturday. He completed 30 of 38 passes for 301 yards playing in place of Maverick McIvor for a second straight game. The Hilltoppers finished the game with 429 total yards and held New Mexico State to 179.
Next up: Bye
4. Liberty (4-4, 3-1) #104
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Previous: W, 59-30 vs Delaware
Evan Dickens rushed for career highs of 217 yards and four touchdowns and Ethan Vasko accounted for three touchdowns in Liberty’s explosive win over Delaware on Saturday. Dickens tallied rushing touchdowns on four consecutive drives starting in the second quarter and ending with a 72-yard scamper to open the second half. The 59 points in the game, for a team averaging 19.1 points per game entering the contest, are the most points for the Flames in a game since Nov. 4, 2023.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 vs Missouri State, 1 p.m., ESPN+
5. Louisiana Tech (5-3, 3-2) #82
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Previous: W, 55-14 vs Sam Houston
Clay Thevenin rushed for 143 yards and three scores and Blake Baker added a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in Louisiana Tech’s blowout victory of Sam Houston Friday night. Baker completed 17 of 21 passes for 221 yards and an interception, also adding 42 yards on seven carries. The Bulldogs led 27-0 at halftime and extended the lead after the break. Louisiana Tech had 425 of their 646 yards on the ground.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ Delaware, 3 p.m., ESPN+
6. Missouri State (5-3, 3-1) #116
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Previous: W, 28-21 vs FIU
Jacob Clark threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns while Shomari Lawrence rushed for 104 yards and 2 scores against his former team, Missouri State’s first home win over an FBS program. The Bears have held seven straight opponents under 30 points and finish with a perfect October record for the second straight season. Clark and Jmariyae Robinson connected on two 8-yard touchdowns in the second half to push the Missouri State lead to 28-14 with 8:21 remaining. FIU cut it to one score with 3:29 left but the Bears were able to run out the clock.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ Liberty, 1 p.m., ESPN+
7. Delaware (4-4, 2-3) #122
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Previous: L, 59-30 @ Liberty
Nick Minicucci accounted for three touchdowns for the Blue Hens. He was 29 of 49 passing for 344 yards, but it wasn’t enough as Delaware could not stop the Liberty offense in the first ever meeting between the two programs.
Next up: Saturday, Nov.8 vs Louisiana Tech, 3 p.m., ESPN+
8. FIU (3-5, 1-3) #125
no change
Previous: L, 28-21 @ Missouri State
FIU cut the Missouri State lead to 28-21 with 3:29 left to play, but their defense was unable to get a stop to get the ball back for the offense. Keyone Jenkins threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Joe Pesansky added 72 yards passing and a touchdown. Kejon Owens rushed for 63 yards.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m., ESPN+
9. UTEP (2-6, 1-3) #118
no change
Previous: L, 33-20 @ Kennesaw State
The Miners took a lead at 20-16 late in the third quarter on the road at first place and unbeaten in conference play Kennesaw State but were unable to hold on to the lead and did not score the rest of the way. Skyler Locklear threw f or 160 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing 23 times for 77 yards. UTEP was unable to overcome a Kennesaw State defensive score, special teams score, and a safety in the loss.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 vs Jacksonville State, 3 p.m., ESPN+
10. New Mexico State (3-5, 1-4) #127
no change
Previous: L, 35-16 @ Western Kentucky
Ryan Hawk kicked three field goals that included a 50-yarder for New Mexico State which has now lost three straight and five of its last six. Stilton McKelvey recovered a fumble and returned it 71 yards into the end zone for the Aggies with 1:25 remaining in the game to make the score somewhat more respectable.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 vs Kennesaw State, 4 p.m., ESPN+
11. Middle Tennessee (1-7, 0-4) #130
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Previous: L, 24-21 vs Jacksonville State
The Blue Raiders took the lead with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter but was unable to secure the win, falling at home to Jax State, dropping a sixth straight game. Nicholas Vattiato threw for 235 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Jekail Middlebrook had a rushing and receiving touchdown to go with 107 total yards. The Blue Raiders have lost each of their passt three games by three points or less and their last four all by one score.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 vs FIU, 3 p.m., ESPN+
12. Sam Houston (0-8, 0-5) #135
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Previous: L, 55-14 @ Louisiana Tech
The Bearkats fell behind 21-0 early in the second quarter and could not catch up or slow down the high scoring Bulldogs Friday night. Elijah Green had touchdown runs of 28 and 80 yards in the third quarter, finishing the night with a career high 191 yards on 10 rushes. Hunter Watson totaled 193 yards on 14 for 33 passing with an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ Oregon State, 10 p.m., CW Network
