We have moved into the end of the month of October and the end of 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 (5-2, 3-0) #91
no change
Previous: W, 45-26 @ FIU
What a job first year head coach Jerry Mack has done with the Owls. After being the worst team in all of FBS last year, they now are sitting atop the CUSA standings with an unblemished conference record following the win at FIU Tuesday night. Amari Odom threw for 205 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for another score, in the win which was the first away from home for the Owls since November 2022.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 28 vs UTEP, 8 p.m., ESPNU
2. Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0) #99
no change
Previous: Bye
The Gamecocks look to remain tied atop the CUSA standings with Kennesaw State when they return to action following a bye week on Wednesday at Middle Tennessee.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 29 @ Middle Tennessee, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
3. Western Kentucky (6-2, 4-1) #107
4
Previous: W, 28-27 (OT) @ Louisiana Tech
George Hart III had a short touchdown run on the second possession of overtime and Rodney Tisdale, Jr. found Moussa Barry in the end zone for the game winning two point conversion as the Hilltoppers bounced back from a loss to FIU last week. With the win, WKU is bowl eligible for a seventh straight season. Both WKU and LA Tech blocked a field goal attempt in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime tied at 20. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game in overtime on a touchdown run. Tisdale, in his first career start, had key completions on fourth and 10 and third and 7 to kep the final drive going. He was 21 of 34 for 227 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also carried it 12 times for 73 yards.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 1 vs New Mexico State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+
4. Missouri State (4-3, 2-1) #115
no change
Previous: W, 24-17 (OT) @ New Mexico State
Jacob Clark found Ronnel Johnson in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown on the first possession of overtime, and Dylan Dixson ended the game with an interception to give Missouri State the victory Wednesday night at NMSU. The Bears have now won consecutive games against FBS opponents for the first time in program history. Missouri State led 17-7 with less than six minutes remaining in regulation before the Aggies scored 10 straight to force overtime.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 29 vs FIU, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
5. Liberty (3-4, 2-1) #114
no change
Previous: Bye
The Flames have 17 days between games as they will return to the field this Saturday, playing host to Delaware.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 1 vs Delaware, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
6. Delaware (4-3, 2-2) #113
2
Previous: W, 31-28 vs Middle Tennessee
Nick Minicucci threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns, with Sean Wilson and Kyre Duplessis each scoring twice, as Delaware held off MTSU Wednesday night. Minicucci did leave the game midway through the fourth quarter due to an injury. He was 27 of 42 passing while Duplessis had seven catches for 65 yards.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 1 @ Liberty, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
7. Louisiana Tech (4-3, 2-2) #93
1
Previous: L, 28-27 (OT) vs Western Kentucky
Louisiana Tech trailed all game before taking the lead to begin overtime, 27-20, on a Andrew Burnett touchdown run. However, the Hilltoppers answered with their own touchdown and then elected to go for two to win the game. Blake Baker was 31 of 45 for 340 yards with a touchdown and an interception as the Bulldogs have dropped two straight.
Next up: Friday, Oct. 31 vs Sam Houston, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
8. FIU (3-4, 1-2) #125
5
Previous: L, 45-26 vs Kennesaw State
The Panthers were unable to defend their home turf Tuesday night for Vice Night at Pitbull Stadium. Keyone Jenkins was 22 of 37 passing for 296 yards and a touchdown while Kejon Owens continued his strong play with 20 rushes for 151 yards and a score. FIU allowed the Owls to score on four straight possessions in the first half as they built a 24-7 lead.
Next up: Wednesday, October 29 @ Missouri State, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
9. UTEP (2-5, 1-2) #118
2
Previous: Bye
The Miners will look to win a second straight on Tuesday night against first place Kennesaw State.
Next up: Tuesday, Oct. 28 @ Kennesaw State, 8 p.m., ESPNU
10. New Mexico State (3-4, 1-3) #126
1
Previous: L, 24-17 (OT) vs Missouri State
The Aggies fought back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime before falling at home to Missouri State. NMSU DL Henry Davis III got a hand on a third and 7 pass near midfield with 2:29 remaining to force a Missouri State punt that went just 14 yards. Five plays later, Donovan Faupel caught an 11-yard pass in the end zone to tie it at 17 before NMSU fell in overtime. Logan Fife threw four interceptions. Faupel caught 10 passes for 84 yards.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 1 @ Western Kentucky, 3:30, ESPN+
11. Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4) #134
no change
Previous: Bye
The Bearkats are looking to pick up their first win of the season, playing on Halloween night this week at Louisiana Tech.
Next up: Friday, Oct. 31 @ Louisiana Tech, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
12. Middle Tennessee (1-6, 0-3) #129
no change
Previous: L, 31-28 @ Delaware
Nick Vattiato threw his third touchdown of the night with 1:03 remaining to cut the Delaware lead to three, but the Blue Hens recovered the onside kick to secure the victory. Vattiato threw for 281 yards with an interception.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 22 @ Delaware, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
