On Friday, Conference USA announced the results of its first-ever Bowl Confidence Index. The index is “an innovative preseason feature voted on by a panel of media members that cover member institutions” and provides a confidence score for the likelihood of each CUSA member reaching postseason play.

Like the Big 12, CUSA is using this new index in place of the typical preseason media poll due in large part to the large turnover of rosters in the new era of the transfer portal and NIL.

Liberty and Western Kentucky topped the Bowl Confidence Index released by the league on Friday as unanimous selections by the voters to qualify for a bowl game, each receiving 100% of the votes from a panel of 24 members consisting of a sports information director and media representative from each CUSA institution. The index reflects the percentage of ballots each team appeared on, providing a confidence score for the likelihood of reaching postseason play.

Both the Flames and Hilltoppers have appeared in a bowl game in each of the last six seasons. They are among 13 FBS programs and four Group of Five teams (including Louisiana and Memphis) that have an active streak of six bowl appearances or longer. Liberty has made a bowl game in each of the prior six seasons, the first six years the program has been a full FBS member.

Delaware and Missouri State, first year members in CUSA, are in year two of the of their transition from FCS to FBS and are not eligible for bowl games this season. However, they could become bowl eligible if there are not enough fully eligible FBS teams to fill all postseason spots.

The CUSA slate opens in Week Zero on Saturday, Aug. 23 with Western Kentucky hosting Sam Houston at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network. The league’s slate will conclude with the 21st CUSA Football Championship Game on Friday, Dec. 5.

2025 CUSA Bowl Confidence Index

Liberty 100%
Western Kentucky 100%
Jax State 91.67%
Louisiana Tech 75%
Sam Houston 45.83%
UTEP 41.67%
FIU 37.5%
Delaware 29.17%
MTSU 25%
NMSU 25%
Kennesaw State 16.67%
Missouri State 12.5%