Every Conference USA team has played at least one league game. Questions remain for a few teams, while Liberty and Jacksonville State look like the teams to beat right now.
Let’s take a look at the Week 7 power rankings for Conference USA.
1. [1 last week] Liberty (5-1, 2-0 in CUSA)
Last week: Liberty 35, Sam Houston 3
After losing its first game to James Madison, Liberty has won five straight. The Flames are the favorites to win the league at the moment after huge back-to-back victories over Delaware and Sam Houston. Quarterback Deshawn Purdie has thrown for over 1,000 yards this season, while running back Kam Davis has the second-most rushing yards in the CUSA.
Up next: Open
2. [2] Jacksonville State (4-2, 2-0)
Last week: Jacksonville State 27, Kennesaw State 26
The Gamecocks needed a 33-yard field goal to upend Kennesaw State
on the road last week. Jacksonville State goes as quarterback Caden Creel goes. Creel threw for 311 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the win. Creel also leads the team in rushing yards, making him one of the league’s most versatile players. He also leads the conference in passing yards.
Up next: FIU, Tuesday
3. [3] FIU (3-2, 1-0)
Last week: FIU 22, New Mexico State 3
In their Miami Vice uniforms, the Panthers carved the Aggies for it first conference win. FIU’s defense is one of the league's best. They forced three turnovers and allowed the Aggies to go just 3-for-12 on third down. A huge matchup against Jacksonville State awaits as the Panthers try to prove they are contenders, not pretenders.
Up next: at Jacksonville State, Tuesday
4. [4] Delaware (2-2, 0-1)
Last week: Open
Quarterback questions remain for Delaware after starter Nick Minicucci was injured. If he cannot go against the Blue Raiders, Delaware will have a battle on its hands. With Minicucci in the lineup, the Blue Hens remain one of the top teams in the league.
Up next: at Middle Tennessee, Tuesday
5. [5] New Mexico State (2-4, 1-1)
Last week: FIU 22, New Mexico State 3
It was a night to forget for the Aggies in their loss to FIU. New Mexico State enters its bye week and will look at everything to regroup. It’s hard to win on the road in the CUSA, but the Aggies will need to do better than its 230 total yards of offense versus the Panthers. The team’s win over Western Kentucky two weeks ago keeps them in the top half of the power rankings.
Up next: Open
6. [10] Western Kentucky (2-4, 1-1)
Last week: Western Kentucky 34, Missouri State 13
The Hilltoppers put together their best performance of the season last week. Western Kentucky dominated Missouri State, led by quarterback Brock Glenn. He threw for 231 yards, rushed for 95 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. If Glenn’s production stays consistent, Western Kentucky can contend for a top-half finish in the league.
Up next: at Sam Houston, Wednesday
7 [8] Kennesaw State (1-4, 0-1)
Last week: Jacksonville State 27, Kennesaw State 26
Despite a loss, the Owls move up in the power rankings. Kennesaw has lost back-to-back games to Arkansas State and the Gamecocks by a combined four points. Kennesaw State had its chances to beat Jacksonville State. The Owls led 23-14 in the third quarter and 26-24 in the final two minutes. This close loss shows the defending CUSA champions' potential for another strong year.
Up next: at Missouri State, Wednesday
8. [7] Middle Tennessee (2-3, 0-1)
Last week: Open
The Blue Raiders are back after enjoying its open week. Middle Tennessee is coming off of a big loss to Kansas, but the team is back at home. Middle Tennessee is undefeated at home with wins over FCS Murray State and Nevada.
Up next: Delaware, Tuesday
9. [6] Missouri State (1-4, 0-1)
Last week: Western Kentucky 34, Missouri State 13
The Bears suffered a disappointing defeat after their bye week. Missouri State never led in its big loss to the Hilltoppers. Quarterback questions continue with backup signal caller Henry Belin IV now in contention to start this week against Kennesaw State. The defense has allowed 30 points or more in three straight games.
Up next: Kennesaw State, Wednesday
10. [9] Sam Houston (1-4, 0-1)
Last week: Liberty 35, Sam Houston 3
The Bearkats suffered the largest margin of defeat in the league last week. Sam Houston has a big home game against Western Kentucky this week to prove last week’s result was a fluke against one of the conference’s top contenders. Quarterback Landyn Locke hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards in back-to-back games, that will need to change against the Hilltoppers.
Up next: Western Kentucky, Wednesday
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: See our Conference USA football power rankings entering Week 7 action
