We have moved into the month of October which can only mean one thing – midweek football in CUSA. 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 (4-2, 2-0) #101
3
Previous: W, 35-7 vs Louisiana Tech
Dexter Williams threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns and Coleman Bennett had 73 yards rushing and a 50-yard touchdown reception in a big upset win over Louisiana Tech. The Owls trailed 7-0 early before scoring 35 straight points.
Next up: Bye
2. Western Kentucky (5-1, 3-0) #98
no change
Previous: Bye
Coming off an open week, the Hilltoppers look to remain unbeaten in conference play by hosting FIU on Tuesday night.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 14 vs FIU, 8 p.m., ESPNU
3. Delaware (3-2, 1-1) #109
no change
Previous: Bye
The Blue Hens hit the road this week for a tough test at Jacksonville State.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 15 @ Jacksonville State, 7 p.m., ESPN
4. Missouri State (3-3, 1-1) #116
1
Previous: W, 22-20 @ Middle Tennessee
Freshman Deuce Bailey threw for 278 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for another in his first career start to lead Missouri State to the program’s first CUSA victory. Missouri State capped the scoring on a field goal with 4:22 remaining. Middle Tennessee missed a 50-yard field goal attempt later that was wide left.
Next up: Bye
5. Jacksonville State (3-3, 2-0) #105
2
Previous: W, 29-27 @ Sam Houston
Cam Cook rushed for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns and Garrison Rippa made a game-winning 52-yard field go al as time expired to lift the Gamecocks to the win over Sam Houston. Jax State started the final drive at its 17-yard line with 47 seconds left. Cook got the drive going with an 18-yard run and Pearson Baldwin made a 17-yard catch with five seconds left. Caden Creel found Baldwin again for 5 yards to get into better field position for Rippa’s career long kick.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 15 vs Delaware, 7 p.m., ESPN
6. Louisiana Tech (4-2, 2-1) #90
4
Previous: L, 35-7 @ Kennesaw State
The strong start for the Bulldogs came crashing to an end with a 35-7 upset loss at Kennesaw State. Three La Tech quarterbacks combined to go 18 for 35 passing for 168 yards and two interceptions. They scored the first points of the game to take the 7-0 lead before the Owls reeled off 35 straight.
Next up: Bye
7. Liberty (2-4, 1-1) #111
1
Previous: W, 19-8 @ UTEP
In his return to the lineup after missing a game, Ethan Vasko threw for 243 yards and ran for a touchdown. Jay Billingsley made four of his five field goal attempts, his last one giving the Flames a 19-0 lead midway through the third quarter. The Flames’ defense dominated, holding UTEP to 167 yards of offense on the night.
Next up: Tuesday, October 14 vs New Mexico State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
8. New Mexico State (3-2, 1-1) #128
1
Previous: Bye
The Aggies come off an open date as they travel across the country to play at Liberty Tuesday night.
Next up: Tuesday, October 14 @ Liberty, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
9. FIU (2-3, 0-1) #126
1
Previous: Bye
The Panthers come off their bye to play at Western Kentucky this week.
Next up: Tuesday, October 14 @ Western Kentucky, 8 p.m., ESPNU
10. UTEP (1-5, 0-2) #119
1
Previous: L, 19-8 vs Liberty
The Miners could find no consistency on offense, being limited to less than 100 yards through the first three quarters as they fell behind 19-0 and could not recover.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 15 @ Sam Houston, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
11. Sam Houston (0-6, 0-3) #132
1
Previous: L, 29-27 vs Jacksonville State
Hunter Watson threw for three touchdowns for Sam Houston who returned home after playing four of its first five games on the road. They have started 0-6 for the second time in three seasons.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 15 vs UTEP, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
12. Middle Tennessee (1-5, 0-2) #131
1
Previous: L, 22-20 vs Missouri State
Nicholas Vattiato was 30 of 42 for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns while Cam’ron Lacy caught six passes for 114 yards and two scores and Jekail Middlebrook had 93 yards on the ground. MTSU took a 10-6 lead on a 52-yard touchdown reception by Lacy but Missouri State answered with a 10-play, 79-yard drive. Later, MTSU missed a 50-yard field goal that would have given the Blue Raiders a lead in the closing minutes.
Next up: Bye
