We are rolling along through the first month of the 2025 college football year. 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. Louisiana Tech (2-1, 1-0) #86
7
Previous: W, 49-14 vs New Mexico State
Blake Baker accounted for 285 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs in a rout of NMSU in its CUSA opener.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs Southern Miss, 7:30 p.m., ESPN+
2. Delaware (2-1, 0-0) #117
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Previous: W, 44-41 vs UConn
Nick Minicucci rushed for a 13-yard touchdown in overtime to lift the Blue Hens to their first FBS win over an FBS team. Nate Reed kicked a 43-yard field goal as time ran out in regulation to send the game into overtime. The teams combined for 1,033 yards, split almost evenly. Minicucci ran for three scores and was 23 of 34 passing for 265 yards and a touchdown.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 @ FIU, 6 p.m., ESPN+
3. Jacksonville State (1-2, 1-0) #87
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Previous: L, 41-34 @ Georgia Southern
The Gamecocks took a lead over Georgia Southern in the third quarter, but they could not hold on as they were outscored 10-0 in the final quarter to suffer the setback.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs Murray State, 7 p.m., ESPN+
4. FIU (2-1, 0-0) #96
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Previous: W, 38-28 vs FAU
Kejon Owens ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns to lead FIU to a win over FAU.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs Delaware, 6 p.m., ESPN+
5. Western Kentucky (2-1, 1-0) #104
no change
Previous: Bye
The Hilltoppers look to get back in the win column following an open date.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs Nevada, 7 p.m.
6. UTEP (1-2, 0-0) #107
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Previous: L, 27-10 @ #7 Texas
The Miners got another strong defensive effort that pressured Archie Manning several times and made him look confused much of the game. Malachi Nelson was 24 of 36 passing for 209 yards and 2 interceptions.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs UL Monroe, 9 p.m., ESPN+
7. Missouri State (1-2, 0-0) #121
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Previous: L, 28-10 vs SMU
Jacob Clark threw for 275 yards and a touchdown, but he was also picked off three times, including once in the end zone, when Missouri State had a chance to regain the lead early in the second half. The Bears played in front of a big crowd for one of the biggest home games in school history, and they took an early 10-0 lead before the Mustangs came roaring back.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs UT Martin, 7 p.m., ESPN+
8. Liberty (1-2, 0-1) #101
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Previous: L, 23-13 @ Bowling Green
Four turnovers and two penalties that negated touchdowns resulted in a two-score loss at Bowling Green. The Flames now have a losing record for the first time since early in the 2019 season.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs James Madison, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
9. Kennesaw State (1-2, 0-0) #125
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Previous: W, 27-13 vs Merrimack
Kennesaw State beat FCS member Merrimack to get the first win under head coach Jerry Mack. Amari Odom accounted for two touchdowns in the win.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs Arkansas State, 6 p.m., ESPN+
10. New Mexico State (2-1, 0-1) #133
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Previous: L, 49-14 @ Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech rolled all over NMSU in each team’s CUSA opener. It was a disappointing performance for the Aggies on the road in Louisiana.
Next up: Bye
11. Middle Tennessee (1-2, 0-0) #131
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Previous: W, 14-13 @ Nevada
Nick Vattiato scrambled five yards for a touchdown with 21 seconds remaining. MTSU was shut out until Vattiato threw a 13-yard touchdown pass with 6 minutes remaining. Nevada responded with a 51-yard drive but a missed 41-yard field goal attempt. The Blue Raiders rallied with two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter for their first win of the season.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 vs Marshall, 7 p.m., ESPN+
12. Sam Houston (0-3, 0-1) #124
1
Previous: Bye
The Bearkats have a mountain to climb this week at Texas.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 20 @ #7 Texas, 8 p.m., ESPN+
