Weekday CUSA, thank you. You kept us occupied on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in October, when we were starved for 7-day-a-week football marathons. You provided thrilling overtime finishes, clutch field
goal makes and clutch field goal misses, fun promotions like Vice Night and Dollar Dog Night, and showcased excellent individual talents like Cam Cook and Micah Davey.
The weeknight baton is now passed from Conference USA to the Mid-American Conference as the calendar flips from October to November and the Halloween costumes are shelved in favor of early Christmas decorations. Weekday CUSA provided us plenty of clarity on the hierarchy of the league, so here is what the conference looks like as November enters full swing.
Conference USA power rankings after Week 10:
12. Sam Houston Bearkats
Record: 0-8, 0-5 CUSA
Best win: N/A
Worst loss: vs. UTEP, 35-17
Sam Houston won 10 games last year. Then the Bearkats lost head coach K.C. Keeler to Temple, defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity to North Texas, and all 11 starters from a dominant defense which thrived in 2024 CUSA play. Sam Houston started from square one under Phil Longo, and eight games into Longo’s first year, the Bearkats are still trying to move one dice roll forward on the gameboard. The Bearkats dropped a heartbreaker to Jacksonville State on Weekday CUSA thanks to a 52-yard Gamecock field goal at the buzzer, and that was their only legitimate shot at a win. Each of their seven other defeats were decided by 17+ points, and things are only trending worse — dropping a Halloween matchup by 41 to Louisiana Tech last Friday night.
11. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Record: 1-7, 0-4 CUSA
Best win: at Nevada, 14-13
Worst loss: vs. Austin Peay (FCS), 34-14
You could make an argument for Middle Tennessee to receive the last-place spot, and that’s solely due to its dismal, eye-alarming Week 1 result. The Blue Raiders were one of four FBS teams to suffer an FCS upset this year, and the only one to lose by multiple scores. Removing that 20-point loss to Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee’s résumé still isn’t great, but the Blue Raiders are consistently challenging their conference peers. The Blue Raiders haven’t lost a single CUSA matchup by multiple scores, holding a fourth quarter lead over Jacksonville State in their last outing. The road win over current 1-7 Nevada and the close nature of its games prevent the Blue Raiders from falling to dead-last in the league.
10. UTEP Miners
Record: 2-6, 1-3 CUSA
Best win: at Sam Houston, 35-17
Worst loss: vs. ULM, 31-25
UTEP received considerable offseason buzz due to a manageable schedule and the presence of former 5-star quarterback Malachi Nelson. The Miners quickly established themselves as a defensive threat, led by inside linebacker Micah Davey who ranks fifth in the FBS with 94 tackles. However, UTEP’s 116th-ranked scoring offense is struggling to attain consistency. The unit is improving after moving to Skyler Locklear at quarterback, averaging 27.5 points per game across its last two outings, and UTEP looks better as a team overall since mid-October. However, the Miners need to clear a 4-game gauntlet to attain bowl eligibility for the first time in four years, starting with Jacksonville State next Saturday.
9. New Mexico State Aggies
Record: 3-5, 1-3 CUSA
Best win: vs. Tulsa, 21-14
Worst loss: at Liberty, 30-27
New Mexico State started 2-0 for the first time since 2014, eyeing a significant year two jump under Tony Sanchez. The Aggies thrived with their defense early in the season, utilizing that unit’s potency to take down Tulsa in 21-14 fashion. After a pair of blowout losses, New Mexico State matched its 2024 win total of three just five games into the season. But the Aggies have yet to exceed it, subject to a 3-game losing skid which involved rough execution down the stretch. New Mexico State lost 30-27 to Liberty on arguably the worst special teams game played by anybody this year and followed it up with a heartbreaking 24-17 overtime defeat to Missouri State. The Aggies are close but haven’t been able to fully break through.
8. FIU Panthers
Record: 3-5, 1-3 CUSA
Best win: at WKU, 25-6
Worst loss: vs. Delaware, 38-16
In terms of confusing seasons, FIU takes the cake in Conference USA. In year one of the Willie Simmons era, the Panthers’ bright spots on their résumé are far better than you’d expect for a team that’s 1-3 in CUSA play. FIU defeated rival Florida Atlantic 38-28 to win its first Shula Bowl since 2016 — one of the most qualify non-conference wins for any CUSA team all year. Then in league plays, the Panthers dominated WKU 25-6 on the road, displaying the true firepower of the Mister Clark-led secondary and Kejon Owens-led run game. They even excelled defensively at Penn State, down only 10-0 at halftime. But FIU’s lows are low. The Panthers lost by 19 at home to Kennesaw State, by 22 at home to Delaware, by 7 on the road at Missouri State, and by 41 on the road at UConn. The lack of consistent results is what makes this team a difficult read.
7. Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
Record: 4-4, 2-3 CUSA
Best win: vs. UConn, 44-41
Worst loss: at Liberty, 59-30
Delaware is adjusting to the FBS level quite well, sitting at an even .500 with a third of the regular season remaining. The Fightin’ Blue Hens are ineligible for the Conference USA title and bowl season due to transitioning status, but the team is currently favored to attain six wins. Delaware showcased the potential of its offense as early as Week 3, outlasting 6-3 UConn 44-41 in an overtime thriller, led by the playmaking of electrifying quarterback Nick Minicucci and his star receiver Kyre Duplessis. The Fightin’ Blue Hens have struggled a bit lately though, winning one of their last four (a 3-point win over Middle Tennessee) and struggling immensely on defense in a 59-30 shootout at Liberty this past Saturday.
6. Missouri State Bears
Record: 5-3, 3-1 CUSA
Best win: at Marshall, 21-20
Worst loss: vs. WKU, 27-22
Missouri State has an absolutely stellar résumé for a first-year FBS team, sitting one win away from bowl eligibility if it was allowed to be bowl eligible. The Bears suffered a 60-point loss to USC in Week 1, but made it very clear they would be competitive the following week when erasing a 13-point deficit to topple reigning Sun Belt champion Marshall. Missouri State also played SMU tough, and it hasn’t allowed over 28 points in the seven contests since Week 1. The Bears may lack spectacular CUSA wins, but they’ve taken care of business against teams below their caliber. Ryan Beard is doing an incredible coaching job with the transition, especially in crunch time as his Bears are 4-1 in one-score games this year. Also, his three losses are to 7-2 USC, 6-3 SMU, and 7-2 WKU. Not too shabby for a newcomer.
5. Liberty Flames
Record: 4-4, 3-1 CUSA
Best win: vs. Delaware, 59-30
Worst loss: at Bowling Green, 23-13
Widely regarded as the preseason favorite, Liberty faced an extremely disappointing 1-4 start, struggling mightily on the offensive side against Jacksonville State, Bowling Green, James Madison, and Old Dominion. But Jamey Chadwell’s offense — using fewer triple option concepts than usual — is on the rise, and the Flames quietly crept back into the CUSA title race thanks to that improvement. Liberty rides a 3-game win streak, dominating Delaware in a 59-30 statement victory last Saturday. Evan Dickens rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns last week, and Liberty looks to lean on the running back down the stretch. FIU, Louisiana Tech, and Kennesaw State await as the Flames eye a return trip to the conference championship for the first time since 2023.
4. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Record: 5-3, 4-0 CUSA
Best win: vs. Liberty, 34-24
Worst loss: at Georgia Southern, 41-34
Jacksonville State won the CUSA title in dominant fashion last year, dominating WKU 52-12 to wear the conference crown for the first time. Since that fateful Friday night, Jax State still hasn’t lost a conference matchup. Yet, the 2025 Gamecocks are far from the same team as the 2024 Gamecocks, featuring 50+ new players and a new coaching staff, transitioning from Rich Rodriguez to Charles Kelly. Kelly runs similar zone read concepts in a run-based offense which ranks fifth nationally with 259 rushing yards per game. Cam Cook is at the top of the FBS leaderboard with 1,054 rushing yards and quarterback Cade Creel complements him incredibly well. The Gamecocks control their own destiny for another championship, but their toughest two matchups — Kennesaw State and WKU, both at home — loom on the November slate.
3. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Record: 5-3, 3-2 CUSA
Best win: vs. Southern Miss, 30-20
Worst loss: at Kennesaw State, 35-7
Louisiana Tech was a consistent winner in the 2010s CUSA. Surprisingly, the Bulldogs haven’t posted a winning season since 2018, but they’re finally seeing results in year four of Sonny Cumbie’s tenure. Louisiana Tech fought LSU incredibly hard in a 23-7 defeat in Week 2 in Death Valley and that alone showed the resiliency of this defense. The Bulldogs field the 17th-ranked scoring defense at 18.1 points surrendered per game, and that unit is serving them well. Louisiana Tech took down Sun Belt contender Southern Miss in the non-conference slate and throttled three CUSA peers by 19+ points each. The only puzzling mark on the Bulldogs’ résumé is a 35-7 no-show at Kennesaw State, but they’ve moved past that, and the offense is improving under quarterback Blake Baker.
2. WKU Hilltoppers
Record: 7-2, 5-1 CUSA
Best win: at Louisiana Tech, 28-27
Worst loss: vs. FIU, 25-6
Tyson Helton built a machine in Bowling Green, KY. The Hilltoppers have won eight or nine games in each of the past four years, and Helton has Big Red and Co. on pace to do that again in 2025. Not all the wins are comfortable, but WKU is executing at a high level in close games, producing a 3-0 record in CUSA matchups decided by five points or fewer. The Hilltoppers are thriving in a similar style as usual with the passing game — whether it’s Maverick McIvor or Rodney Tisdale Jr. — lighting up the sky each week, complemented by a talented receiving corps. WKU is bowl eligible at a commendable 7-2, but the team’s two losses were anything but pretty. It fell by 24 at Toledo and suffered the strangest CUSA loss of the year, held without a touchdown at home against FIU. Still, the Hilltoppers are in prime position for a second-straight CUSA title game appearance.
1. Kennesaw State Owls
Record: 0-8, 0-5 CUSA
Best win: vs. Louisiana Tech, 35-7
Worst loss: at Wake Forest, 10-9
When listing college football’s greatest surprises in 2025, Kennesaw State has to be near the top of the list. The Owls were dormant in their FBS transition season, posting a 2-10 record and controversially firing their coach during the transition. But Jerry Mack took the coaching reins and immediately brought Kennesaw State to heights even its most loyal fans would be shocked to hear about last August. The Owls lost a noble 10-9 battle at Wake Forest in Week 1 due to a missed extra point, and Wake Forest is currently 5-3 with a win over SMU. Then they were blown out by current No. 2 Indiana, but who hasn’t been blown out by Indiana? Those are their only blemishes, and the Owls ride a 6-game win streak since. Kennesaw State defeated a Sun Belt contender in Arkansas State and absolutely dominated Louisiana Tech by 28 during an impressive stretch of winning, and it looks to continue this level of success in November.
