Week 2 is in the books and now we look ahead to Week 3. 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. It hasn’t been a great start to the year overall for the year, as members are currently 1-14 against FBS opponents.
Note: National rankings are courtesy of ESPN FPI. Arrows denote change in power rankings since previous ranking.
1. Delaware (1-1, 0-0) #81
1
Previous: L, at Vanderbilt 35-26
The Blue Hens put up another strong showing in Week 2 despite losing at Vanderbilt. And in this league, good losses are worth something in these power rankings. They remained competitive and even had a lead for much of the game.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 vs Coastal Carolina, 11:30 a.m., CBS Sports Network
2. FIU (1-1, 0-0) #109
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Previous: W, vs Buffalo 33-20
The Panthers followed a respectable loss at USF with a victory over Buffalo, the only CUSA team with a win over an FBS team. It was the defense that shined against USF and the offense this week against the Bulls. If they can put those together and find more consistency, they could be a team worth watching this season.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 at FAU, 6 p.m., ESPN+
3. Liberty (1-1, 0-0) #108
no change
Previous: W, vs Gardner-Webb 24-23
Liberty scored touchdowns on two of its first three offensive plays. From there, Gardner-Webb outscored the Flames, 20-10, as Liberty needed a late Jaylen Henderson busted coverage touchdown pass to Darius Copeland to keep the Flames out of the loss column for a sixth straight game.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 vs Ball State, ESPN+
4. Jacksonville State (1-2, 0-0) #106
no change
Previous: L, at Ohio 29-27
The Gamecocks lost a tough one at Ohio in four overtimes. Ohio is a solid MAC team, and Jax State had a chance to win at the end of regulation but shanked a makeable field goal. It’s been tough for the Gamecocks in non-conference play for much of their CUSA tenure.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 vs Georgia Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN+
5. Sam Houston (0-2, 0-0) #123
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Previous: W, vs Tulsa 23-17
Two close losses against strong G6 teams in the opening weeks for the Bearkats. They are proving to be dangerous and might work their way out of the basement where many expect them to be this season.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 vs Nicholls, 7 p.m., ESPN+
6. New Mexico State (1-2, 0-0) #119
no change
Previous: L, at Hawaii 29-19
Two losses against FBS competition for NMSU so far, with the other coming at Florida State. They get a week off now after their three season opening games.
Next up: BYE
7. Middle Tennessee (1-1, 0-0) #126
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Previous: L, at Marshall 28-26
The Blue Raiders had a respectable road loss against Marshall and has proven they could be much improved this season and potentially a contender in CUSA.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 vs Nevada, 7 p.m., ESPN+
8. Kennesaw State (1-1, 0-0) #114
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Previous: L, vs Georgia State 31-17
The defending champs were impressive in Week 1, albeit against an FCS team. Losing at home to Georgia State is a major disappointment for the Owls. They didn’t look like a team that is ready to repeat as conference champs.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 @ #18 Tennessee, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network
9. Missouri State (1-1, 0-0) #118
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Previous: W, vs Lindenwood 48-14
Missouri State responded to getting shutout by Texas A&M with a dominating win over an FCS team. Nice response. It’s the kind of game Missouri State needed after the Texas A&M opener.
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 vs Marshall, 6:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
10. Western Kentucky (0-2, 0-0) #120
1
Previous: L, at #2 Georgia 70-20
The Georgia game was obviously a brutal matchup, but WKU’s season opening loss at Nevada was more concerning. Now, they play at the defending FBS champs Indiana. How will they keep any sense of confidence after these three opening weeks?
Next up: Saturday, Sep. 19 at #4 Indiana, 4 p.m., Peacock
