Week 4 is in the books and now we look ahead to Week 5 with conference play ramping up. 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 (3-1, 0-0) #77
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Previous: W, at Coastal Carolina 34-17
Liberty is starting to look like the team we expected to see last year and now into 2026. The Flames went into Conway and beat Coastal Carolina 34-17, dominating the second half after trailing 17-10. Liberty outgained Coastal 485-292 and ran for 263 yards, including 166 from Kam Davis. That makes three straight wins after the season opening loss at JMU and the progression is notable. The defense has also been particularly impressive since the Gardner-Webb game. Liberty has earned the No. 1 spot.
Next up: Friday, Oct. 2 at Delaware, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
2. Jacksonville State (3-2, 1-0) #105
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Previous: W, vs Middle Tennessee 23-13
The Gamecocks beat Middle Tennessee in the first CUSA game of the season. Caden Creel accounted for 360 total yards, including 241 passing and 119 rushing. Jax State now has wins over Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, and MTSU while its losses came against North Dakota State and Ohio. That is becoming a pretty interesting resume.
Next up: Bye
3. FIU (2-2, 0-0) #116
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Previous: W, vs Long Island 20-3
FIU took care of business against LIU. It’s not a resume changing victory, but the Panthers are 2-2 and cling on to the at win over Buffalo on their resume. FIU has looked more consistent than several teams below it though the offense has failed to look consistent.
Next up: Bye
4. Delaware (2-2, 0-0) #108
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Previous: L, at Virginia 42-3
Delaware got blown out at Virginia, finishing its non-conference schedule at 2-2. Virginia piled up 556 yards and held the Blue Hens without a touchdown though much of it happened without starting QB Nick Minicucci who left the game early with an injury and was seen on crutches. Friday’s game against Liberty has enormous implications for both teams.
Next up: Friday, Oct. 2 vs Liberty, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
5. Middle Tennessee (2-2, 0-1) #124
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Previous: L, at Jax State 23-13
Despite the loss to Jax State, the Blue Raiders remain in the mix and are clearly much improved from the past couple of seasons. MTSU was competitive for much of Saturday before Jax State pulled away with 13 unanswered points in the second half. MTSU still has the Nevada win but the Blue Raiders now need to start stacking wins.
Next up: Saturday, Oct. 3 at Kansas, Noon, ESPNU
6. Sam Houston (1-3, 0-0) #117
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Previous: L, at #11 Texas Tech 49-14
Sam Houston was competitive for a half at Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders eventually pulled away. The Bearkats rallied from a 21-0 deficit to get within seven at halftime before Texas Tech dominated the second half. That makes three losses against Troy, Tulsa, and Texas Tech.
Next up: Bye
7. Missouri State (1-3, 0-0) #118
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Previous: L, at #22 SMU 34-24
Missouri State put up a nice fight at SMU, even leading 10-0 in the first half. They stayed within striking distance for most of the night against an ACC opponent. SMU eventually pulled away. At 1-3, the record isn’t pretty, but the Bears’ last two games gives some reason for optimism.
Next up: Bye
8. New Mexico State (1-3, 0-0) #125
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Previous: L, vs New Mexico 42-18
The Aggies got crushed by New Mexico in the Rio Grande rivalry. New Mexico scored 21 straight points in the third quarter and turned the rivalry game into a rout. New Mexico State is now 1-3 with losses to Florida State, Hawaii, and New Mexico. The Aggies need to regroup quickly with WKU coming to Las Cruces Thursday.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 1 vs Western Kentucky, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
9. Kennesaw State (1-3, 0-0) #113
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Previous: L, at Arkansas State 17-14
Kennesaw State lost at Arkansas State, dropping its third straight game. The Owls led 14-7 in the third quarter before Arkansas State scored the final 10 points. The defending CUSA champions are now 1-3. At some point, the preseason expectations have to take a back seat to the actual results.
Next up: Bye
10. Western Kentucky (1-3, 0-0) #119
no change
Previous: W, vs Mercyhurst 52-7
WKU finally got into he win column, destroying Mercyhurst. Rodney Tisdale Jr. threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns and the Hilltoppers scored on five of their first six drives. It’s hard to move WKU out of the basement based on one FCS win after losses to Nevada, Georgia and Indiana by a combined 157-34. The Hilltoppers have a chance to change that quickly though.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 1 at New Mexico State, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network
