Week 10 is in the books and now we look ahead to Week 11 as we move towards the final weeks of the regular season. This season, the 10-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. Liberty (8-1, 5-0) #50
no change
Previous: W, at New Mexico State 30-14
Liberty continues to look like the class of Conference USA. Saturday’s win at New Mexico State wasn’t necessarily the Flames’ most dominant performance, but they made the plays when it mattered. The offense came through late, and the defense continues to limit opposing teams’ opportunities. Liberty has now won eight straight and is firmly in control of its championship game destiny.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 vs Middle Tennessee, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
2. Jacksonville State (7-2, 5-0) #90
no change
Previous: W, vs Sam Houston 47-14
Jacksonville State continues to match Liberty in conference play. The Gamecocks rolled past Sam Houston, 47-14, showing just how dangerous their offense can be. Jax State has won five straight in CUSA and remains the Flames’ biggest challenger for the conference title. The two teams are on a collision course for the championship game.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 at Western Kentucky, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+
3. Kennesaw State (3-6, 2-3) #110
1
Previous: W, vs Delaware 42-40
Kennesaw State has now won two of its last three games, including Saturday’s thriller over Delaware. The Owls’ offense is beginning to resemble the unit that won the conference championship last season. Their record remains disappointing, but the Owls are clearly playing better football than they were earlier in the season.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 at Sam Houston, 2 p.m., ESPN+
4. Middle Tennessee (5-4, 3-2) #127
2
Previous: W, vs Western Kentucky 51-42
MTSU outlasted Western Kentucky in the latest installment of the 100 Miles of Hate rivalry. The Blue Raiders have now won three of their last four games and are showing they can score with just about anyone in the conference. The defense remains a concern, but this offense has become a legitimate threat.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14, at Liberty, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
5. Delaware (4-5, 2-3) #100
2
Previous: L, at Kennesaw State 42-40
Delaware falls after a loss at Kennesaw State. The Blue Hens had been playing some of their best football of the season, but the defense couldn’t get the necessary stops. The offense remains dangerous, and Delaware still has the potential to finish strong, but this was a missed opportunity.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 vs FIU, 3 p.m., ESPN+
6. FIU (4-5, 2-3) #115
3
Previous: W, vs Missouri State 23-20
FIU bounced back from its loss to Liberty with a victory over Missouri State. The Panthers are still inconsistent, but the win gives them some momentum heading into the final stretch. Their defensive potential keeps them in the mix, and the Panthers are a team nobody should take lightly.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 at Delaware, 3 p.m., ESPN+
7. Western Kentucky (3-6, 2-3) #120
2
Previous: L, at Middle Tennessee 51-42
WKU’s season continues to be a frustrating one. The Hilltoppers scored 42 points against MTSU but still lost, dropping their overall record to 3-6. The offense is capable of putting up points, but the defense has been unable to consistently get stops. It’s difficult to trust WKU until it demonstrates more balance.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14, vs Jacksonville State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+
8. Missouri State (3-6, 2-3) #123
1
Previous: L, at FIU 23-20
Missouri State’s two game winning streak came to an end with a loss at FIU. The Bears have shown they can compete in the middle of the conference, but this was a missed opportunity to strengthen their position. Missouri State still has a chance to finish respectably, though its margin for error is shrinking.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 vs New Mexico State, 3 p.m., ESPN+
9. New Mexico State (3-6, 2-3) #124
1
Previous: L, vs Liberty 30-14
NMSU drops to 3-6 after the loss at home to Liberty on Homecoming, but the Aggies deserve credit for keeping the game competitive into the fourth quarter. They showed more resistance than several teams have against the Flames this season.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14, at Missouri State, 3 p.m., ESPN+
10. Sam Houston (1-8, 0-5) #131
no change
Previous: L, at Jacksonville State 47-14
Sam Houston remains at the bottom after a 47-14 loss at Jacksonville State. The Bearkats have yet to win a conference game and continue to struggle against the league’s top teams. There simply hasn’t been enough production on either side of the ball to justify moving them out of last place.
Next up: Saturday, Nov. 14 vs Kennesaw State, 2 p.m., ESPN+
