Week 5 is in the books and now we look ahead to Week 6 with midweek action in full swing during the month of October. 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 (4-1, 1-0) #73
no change
Previous: W, at Delaware 30-14
At this point, there isn’t much debate. The only team that has a resume that is anywhere comparable to Liberty’s through the first month of the season is Jacksonville State. Liberty went into Delaware and dominated the Blue Hens, holding Delaware scoreless through three quarters and rushing for 282 yards. The Flames have now won four straight after the JMU loss.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 8 vs Sam Houston, 7 p.m., ESPNU
2. Jacksonville State (3-2, 1-0) #103
no change
Previous: Bye
Jax State is already 1-0 in conference play, having beaten Middle Tennessee a week ago. Its two losses – North Dakota State and Ohio – are both considerably more respectable than most of the losses around the league. The Gamecocks also don’t have to play Liberty during the regular season, which could become a major factor in the CUSA race.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Kennesaw State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
3. New Mexico State (2-3, 1-0) #110
5
Previous: W, vs Western Kentucky 34-13
The biggest jump of the week. New Mexico State absolutely handled Western Kentucky, scoring 21 straight points in the second quarter and pulling away from the Hilltoppers. The Aggies are only 2-3, but their resume is becoming more interesting. Their three losses came against Florida State, Hawaii, and New Mexico. I wouldn’t call them a CUSA favorite or even contender yet, but they’re certainly a team nobody should overlook.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at FIU, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
4. FIU (2-2, 0-0) #111
1
Previous: Bye
The Panthers haven’t played since their 20-3 win over Long Island. The real test for them begins Wednesday when New Mexico State comes to Miami. That game will tell us a lot about whether FIU belongs in the upper tier.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 7 vs New Mexico State, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
5. Sam Houston (1-3, 0-0) #113
1
Previous: Bye
The Bearkats move up despite not playing this week, Why? Because the bottom half of CUSA is struggling to provide a reason to rank them higher. Sam Houston’s three losses have come against Troy, Tulsa, and Texas Tech, and the Bearkats at least played Texas Tech competitively for a half. Their 59-0 win over Nicholls remains a dominant result, albeit against an FCS opponent.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 8 at Liberty, 7 p.m., ESPNU
6. Missouri State (1-3, 0-0) #116
1
Previous: Bye
Missouri State hasn’t played since losing at SMU. That was a respectable performance, but the Bears still have only one win and have suffered a blowout loss to Texas A&M. They have a good test this week at WKU to open conference play.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 8 at Western Kentucky, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
7. Delaware (2-3, 0-1) #117
3
Previous: L, vs Liberty 30-14
Delaware gets another drop after losing to Liberty. It was ugly, particularly the first three quarters, but Liberty has established itself as a serious CUSA contender. The big question is quarterback. Nick Minicucci’s absence was significant against Liberty, and Delaware’s offense didn’t find the end zone until the fourth quarter.
Next up: Bye
8. Middle Tennessee (2-3, 0-1) #131
3
Previous: L, at Kansas 55-0
This is a difficult one. MTSU got absolutely demolish by Kansas, its second consecutive loss and third loss in four games. Kansas scored 35 second half points and held the Blue Raiders scoreless. The Blue Raiders now have losses to Marshall, Jax State, and Kansas.
Next up: Bye
9. Kennesaw State (1-3, 0-0) #105
no change
Previous: Bye
The defending conference champions remain one of the biggest disappointments in the league. Kennesaw has lost three straight after opening the season with a win over West Georgia. The losses to Georgia State, Tennessee, and Arkansas State leave the Owls with very little momentum heading into conference play.
Next up: Wednesday, Oct. 7 vs Jacksonville State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
10. Western Kentucky (1-4, 0-1) #126
no change
Previous: L, at New Mexico State 34-13
WKU remains in the basement. The Hilltoppers opened CUSA play with a 34-13 loss at NMSU. They’re now 1-4. The schedule has been brutal, but the results are still too poor to move them out of the cellar.
Next up: Thursday, Oct. 8 vs Missouri State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
