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) #99
no change
Previous: Bye
The Owls are coming off an open week as they travel to South Florida to play at FIU in a surprisingly important game in the Conference USA championship race.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 21 @ FIU, 7 p.m., ESPN2
2. Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0) #97
3
Previous: W, 38-25 vs Delaware
Cam Cook rushed for 117 yards and 3 threw touchdowns, and Caden Creel threw for 116 yards and a score in a win for the Gamecocks at home over Delaware on Wednesday night. Jacksonville State scored the opening 21 points and extended their lead to 35-6 in the third quarter before withstanding a late Delaware rally as the Gamecocks have moved into sole possession of first place in the conference standings.
Next up: Bye
3. FIU (3-3, 1-1) #121
6
Previous: W, 25-6 @ Western Kentucky
The Panthers pulled off a big upset in dominating fashion at previously unbeaten in conference play Western Kentucky. Kejon Owens rushed for a career-high 195 yards and a touchdown while Jessiah McGrew had two interceptions. It was the first road win for the Panthers since October 2023 as Keyone Jenkins passed for 184 yards and a touchdown. Noah Grant made four first half field goals to help theh Panthers build a 19-6 lead heading into the halftime break.
Next up: Tuesday, October 21 vs Kennesaw State, 7 p.m., ESPN2
4. Missouri State (3-3, 1-1) #118
no change
Previous: Bye
The Bears are coming off an open date as they prepare to play at New Mexico State Wednesday night.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 22 @ New Mexico State, 9 p.m., CBS Sports Network
5. Liberty (3-4, 2-1) #115
2
Previous: W, 30-27 vs New Mexico State
The Flames won a second straight game this past week as they defeated NMSU at home Tuesday night. Liberty gave up a two-touchdown lead as the Aggies scored 21 unanswered in the second half. Trailing 27-23 with less than four minutes to play, Liberty engineered a 13-play, 92-yard drive to score the winning touchdown with 36 seconds remaining as Evan Dickens rushed it into the end zone from 8 yards out.
Next up: Bye
6. Louisiana Tech (4-2, 2-1) #91
no change
Previous: Bye
Following a bye, the Bulldogs will look to bounce back from their loss to Kennesaw State with a crucial CUSA game on Tuesday night at home against Western Kentucky.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 21 vs Western Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
7. Western Kentucky (5-2, 3-1) #111
5
Previous: L, 25-6 vs FIU
The Hilltoppers were upset at home Tuesday night, falling to FIU. Maverick McIvor threw three interceptions after entering with just two on the season. He was 20 for 31 passing for 159 yards. WKU fell behind 19-3 and was unable to mount any credible threat in the second half.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 21 @ Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
8. Delaware (3-3, 1-2) #109
5
Previous: L, 38-25 @ Jacksonville State
The Blue Hens fell behind 21-0 early and was unable to recover in the loss at Jax State Wednesday night. Nick Minicucci was 32 of 50 passing for 422 yards and a touchdown while Viron Ellison, Jr. rushed for three touchdowns.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 22 vs Middle Tennessee, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
9. New Mexico State (3-3, 1-2) #125
1
Previous: L, 30-27 @ Liberty
The Aggies were unable to overcome two muffed punts and allowing a kick return for a touchdown in a loss at Liberty Tuesday night. NMSU went from down 20-6 at halftime to taking a 27-20 lead early in the fourth quarter before falling behind and then missing a 47-yard potential game tying field goal as time expired.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 22 vs Missouri State, 9 p.m., CBS Sports Network
10. UTEP (2-5, 1-2) #116
no change
Previous: W, 35-17 @ Sam Houston
Skyler Locklear threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to help the Miners beat Sam Houston on the road Wednesday night. Locklear was 21 of 236 yards with an interception. He also carried it 13 times for 48 yards. Elijah Baldwin blocked a 23-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter to maintain UTEP’s 21-17 lead. Then Locklear led UTEP on a 91-yard drive to make it 28-17 with 7:05 remaining.
Next up: Bye
11. Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4) #133
no change
Previous: L, 35-17 vs UTEP
Three quarterbacks combined to go 22 of 36 for 239 yards and two touchdownsn for Sam Houston. Hunter Watson threw for 161 yards and a touchdown as the Bearkats have started 0-7 for the second time in three seasons.
Next up: Bye
12. Middle Tennessee (1-5, 0-2) #131
no change
Previous: Bye
The Blue Raiders return to action this week at Delaware on Wednesday night.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 22 @ Delaware, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
