We have moved into the final week of the college football regular season. 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 (8-3, 6-1) #91
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Previous: W, 41-34 vs Missouri State
The Owls bounced back from their first CUSA loss with a win at home over surging Missouri State. If Kennesaw State wins at Liberty Saturday, they will play for a CUSA Championship. What a season. What a story.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 @ Liberty, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
2. Western Kentucky (8-3, 6-1) #97
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Previous: L, 13-10 @ LSU
The Hilltoppers nearly picked off the SEC upset on the road at LSU Saturday. Now, they prepare to play at Jacksonville State. It’s a second straight season these two meet in the final week of the regular season with significant conference championship stakes on the line.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 @ Jacksonville State, 2 p.m., ESPN+
3. FIU (6-5, 4-3) #110
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Previous: W, 27-21 vs Jacksonville State
The Panthers defeated Liberty last week and now pick up the win against previously unbeaten in conference play Jacksonville State.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 @ Sam Houston, 1 p.m., ESPN+
4. Jacksonville State (7-4, 6-1) #101
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Previous: L, 27-21 @ FIU
The Gamecocks suffered their first defeat in conference play on the road in Miami on Saturday against FIU. Jax State has a win and you’re in situation this week at home against Western Kentucky. Win and they will be in next week’s CUSA Championship game.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 vs Western Kentucky, 2 p.m., ESPN+
5. Missouri State (7-4, 5-2) #106
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Previous: L, 41-34 @ Kennesaw State
The Bears fell at Kennesaw State Saturday. Now, they will conclude their regular season by hosting Louisiana Tech while also hoping to earn a bowl spot if there aren’t enough bowl eligible teams.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 vs Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m., ESPN+
6. Louisiana Tech (6-5, 4-3) #90
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Previous: W, 34-28 OT vs Liberty
The Bulldogs became bowl eligible with a come from behind win at home Saturday over the Flames. Now they head to Missouri State.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 @ Missouri State, 2 p.m., ESPN+
7. Delaware (5-6, 3-4) #126
no change
Previous: L, 52-14 @ Wake Forest
The Blue Hens lost on the road to ACC foe Wake Forest. They look to conclude their first year in CUSA play with a .500 record if they can knock off UTEP this week.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 vs UTEP, 1 p.m., ESPN+
8. New Mexico State (4-7, 2-5) #127
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Previous: W, 34-31 @ UTEP
The Aggies picked up the win over UTEP on Saturday as they close out the season this week at home against Middle Tennessee.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 vs Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m., ESPN+
9. Middle Tennessee (2-9, 1-6) #130
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Previous: W, 31-17 vs Sam Houston
The Blue Raiders picked up their first conference win of the season, knocking off Sam Houston. They look to make it two in a row this week at New Mexico State.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 @ New Mexico State, 3 p.m., ESPN+
10. Sam Houston (2-9, 1-6) #135
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Previous: L, 31-17 @ Middle Tennessee
The Bearkats saw their two game win streak come to an end on the road with a loss at Middle Tennessee.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 vs FIU, 1 p.m., ESPN+
11. Liberty (4-7, 3-4) #107
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Previous: L, 34-28 OT @ Louisiana Tech
Liberty suffered a third straight setback and will fail to reach a bowl game for the first time in the program’s history at the FBS level.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 vs Kennesaw State, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
12. UTEP (2-9, 1-6) #123
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Previous: L, 34-31 vs New Mexico State
The Miners lost to NMSU this past week. They conclude their time in the CUSA by having to play at Delaware.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 29 @ Delaware, 1 p.m., ESPN+
